Hilton Head Island, SC vs Raleigh, NC: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Raleigh, NC and Hilton Head Island, SC are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Hilton Head Island works out to about $75,100 in Raleigh, before taxes.
- Housing is 2.2% higher in Raleigh, goods 0.3% higher and other services 0.1% lower, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,669 a month in Raleigh and $1,971 in Hilton Head Island, $3,624 a year less in Raleigh (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $428,000 in Raleigh and $522,000 in Hilton Head Island.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Raleigh was 2.2% less expensive than Hilton Head Island.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Hilton Head Island and Raleigh
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Raleigh, NC
All items Hilton Head Island, SC: 98.0 Raleigh, NC: 98.2
Goods Hilton Head Island, SC: 96.3 Raleigh, NC: 96.6
Housing (rents) Hilton Head Island, SC: 101.2 Raleigh, NC: 103.5
Utilities Hilton Head Island, SC: 88.1 Raleigh, NC: 89.0
Other services Hilton Head Island, SC: 98.3 Raleigh, NC: 98.2
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Hilton Head Island, SC | Raleigh, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.0 | 98.2 |
| Goods | 96.3 | 96.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 101.2 | 103.5 |
| Utilities | 88.1 | 89.0 |
| Other services | 98.3 | 98.2 |
| Category | Hilton Head Island | Raleigh | Raleigh vs Hilton Head Island |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.0 | 98.2 | +0.1% |
| Goods | 96.3 | 96.6 | +0.3% |
| Housing (rents) | 101.2 | 103.5 | +2.2% |
| Utilities | 88.1 | 89.0 | +1.0% |
| Other services | 98.3 | 98.2 | −0.1% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,971 | $1,669 | −15.3% |
| Typical home value | $522,000 | $428,000 | −17.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Hilton Head Island | $75,000 | $75,100 | +0.1% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Hilton Head Island and Raleigh has narrowed since 2008: 1.9 points then, 0.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Raleigh, NC
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Hilton Head Island, SC | Raleigh, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.1 | 97.0 |
| 2009 | 92.6 | 95.9 |
| 2010 | 95.9 | 97.2 |
| 2011 | 93.0 | 98.3 |
| 2012 | 93.6 | 98.0 |
| 2013 | 95.7 | 97.9 |
| 2014 | 94.9 | 98.4 |
| 2015 | 95.2 | 98.3 |
| 2016 | 96.0 | 99.3 |
| 2017 | 92.0 | 98.4 |
| 2018 | 95.9 | 96.9 |
| 2019 | 97.7 | 95.6 |
| 2020 | 93.6 | 95.4 |
| 2021 | 99.1 | 97.6 |
| 2022 | 99.3 | 98.3 |
| 2023 | 96.0 | 98.4 |
| 2024 | 98.0 | 98.2 |
Goods
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Raleigh, NC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Hilton Head Island, SC | Raleigh, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.6 | 97.4 |
| 2009 | 91.1 | 95.4 |
| 2010 | 96.2 | 97.0 |
| 2011 | 94.0 | 97.0 |
| 2012 | 91.0 | 97.2 |
| 2013 | 92.9 | 97.1 |
| 2014 | 91.7 | 97.4 |
| 2015 | 91.2 | 96.5 |
| 2016 | 92.4 | 97.2 |
| 2017 | 91.5 | 97.1 |
| 2018 | 95.3 | 95.7 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 95.7 |
| 2020 | 95.4 | 95.4 |
| 2021 | 96.1 | 96.2 |
| 2022 | 94.5 | 95.6 |
| 2023 | 95.9 | 96.8 |
| 2024 | 96.3 | 96.6 |
Housing (rents)
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Raleigh, NC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Hilton Head Island, SC | Raleigh, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.5 | 92.7 |
| 2009 | 99.7 | 92.0 |
| 2010 | 102.7 | 91.6 |
| 2011 | 88.1 | 94.4 |
| 2012 | 90.8 | 92.9 |
| 2013 | 96.4 | 94.1 |
| 2014 | 93.4 | 95.4 |
| 2015 | 95.7 | 95.2 |
| 2016 | 101.4 | 96.3 |
| 2017 | 86.2 | 97.3 |
| 2018 | 93.0 | 96.8 |
| 2019 | 107.4 | 95.7 |
| 2020 | 88.3 | 96.2 |
| 2021 | 104.5 | 97.0 |
| 2022 | 109.5 | 104.4 |
| 2023 | 93.2 | 104.0 |
| 2024 | 101.2 | 103.5 |
Utilities
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Raleigh, NC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Hilton Head Island, SC | Raleigh, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 77.9 | 87.6 |
| 2009 | 79.7 | 87.8 |
| 2010 | 82.5 | 89.7 |
| 2011 | 86.1 | 89.3 |
| 2012 | 93.7 | 90.5 |
| 2013 | 91.4 | 90.4 |
| 2014 | 96.5 | 90.9 |
| 2015 | 99.6 | 90.7 |
| 2016 | 99.7 | 87.6 |
| 2017 | 99.7 | 83.8 |
| 2018 | 92.1 | 87.0 |
| 2019 | 95.4 | 89.4 |
| 2020 | 92.6 | 87.9 |
| 2021 | 89.8 | 84.9 |
| 2022 | 89.1 | 83.0 |
| 2023 | 85.5 | 83.8 |
| 2024 | 88.1 | 89.0 |
Other services
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Raleigh, NC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Hilton Head Island, SC | Raleigh, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.0 | 98.8 |
| 2009 | 91.8 | 98.2 |
| 2010 | 94.0 | 99.7 |
| 2011 | 95.0 | 101.2 |
| 2012 | 97.0 | 100.8 |
| 2013 | 98.1 | 100.3 |
| 2014 | 98.3 | 100.6 |
| 2015 | 98.1 | 101.1 |
| 2016 | 96.3 | 102.3 |
| 2017 | 94.4 | 100.5 |
| 2018 | 97.9 | 98.3 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 95.8 |
| 2020 | 95.0 | 95.5 |
| 2021 | 99.9 | 99.6 |
| 2022 | 99.4 | 99.7 |
| 2023 | 97.9 | 98.7 |
| 2024 | 98.3 | 98.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,669 in Raleigh vs $1,971 in Hilton Head Island
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Raleigh, NC
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Hilton Head Island, SC | Raleigh, NC | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,031 | $1,059 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,063 | $1,083 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,068 | $1,086 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,075 | $1,087 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,066 | $1,096 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,116 | $1,122 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,122 | $1,123 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,122 | $1,114 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,151 | $1,135 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,172 | $1,164 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,170 | $1,166 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,195 | $1,158 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,220 | $1,184 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,234 | $1,205 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,227 | $1,209 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,234 | $1,201 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,262 | $1,219 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,290 | $1,247 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,294 | $1,251 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,277 | $1,252 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,289 | $1,270 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,313 | $1,272 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,350 | $1,290 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,375 | $1,297 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,393 | $1,321 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,475 | $1,405 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,601 | $1,489 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,683 | $1,511 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,768 | $1,542 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,822 | $1,606 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,881 | $1,638 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,837 | $1,606 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,886 | $1,625 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,929 | $1,646 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,937 | $1,650 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,906 | $1,616 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,941 | $1,623 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,976 | $1,648 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,961 | $1,643 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,950 | $1,624 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,941 | $1,641 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,986 | $1,651 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,960 | $1,646 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,949 | $1,625 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,977 | $1,642 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,001 | $1,655 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,971 | $1,669 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $428,000 in Raleigh vs $522,000 in Hilton Head Island
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Raleigh, NC
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Hilton Head Island, SC | Raleigh, NC | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $262K | $222K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $267K | $225K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $271K | $229K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $277K | $234K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $281K | $239K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $284K | $242K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $285K | $246K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $287K | $250K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $288K | $254K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $291K | $258K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $292K | $261K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $295K | $264K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $297K | $269K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $300K | $272K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $302K | $275K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $303K | $279K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $307K | $283K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $310K | $285K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $312K | $287K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $315K | $291K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $318K | $295K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $318K | $298K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $325K | $303K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $336K | $314K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $349K | $326K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $372K | $344K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $393K | $369K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $416K | $390K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $443K | $417K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $472K | $447K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $482K | $449K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $484K | $438K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $487K | $431K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $496K | $435K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $506K | $439K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $513K | $440K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $517K | $443K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $522K | $447K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $524K | $446K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $524K | $446K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $524K | $444K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $522K | $440K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $518K | $436K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $519K | $434K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $520K | $433K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $521K | $430K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $522K | $428K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Hilton Head Island, SC
- Cost of living in Raleigh, NC
- Reverse: moving from Raleigh to Hilton Head Island
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.