Hilton Head Island, SC vs Virginia Beach, VA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Virginia Beach, VA 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 $74,900 in Virginia Beach, before taxes.
- Housing is 1.4% lower in Virginia Beach, goods 0.4% higher and other services 0.3% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,886 a month in Virginia Beach and $1,971 in Hilton Head Island, $1,020 a year less in Virginia Beach (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $371,000 in Virginia Beach and $522,000 in Hilton Head Island.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Virginia Beach, VA
All items Hilton Head Island, SC: 98.0 Virginia Beach, VA: 97.9
Goods Hilton Head Island, SC: 96.3 Virginia Beach, VA: 96.8
Housing (rents) Hilton Head Island, SC: 101.2 Virginia Beach, VA: 99.8
Utilities Hilton Head Island, SC: 88.1 Virginia Beach, VA: 89.6
Other services Hilton Head Island, SC: 98.3 Virginia Beach, VA: 98.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Hilton Head Island, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.0 | 97.9 |
| Goods | 96.3 | 96.8 |
| Housing (rents) | 101.2 | 99.8 |
| Utilities | 88.1 | 89.6 |
| Other services | 98.3 | 98.6 |
| Category | Hilton Head Island | Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach vs Hilton Head Island |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.0 | 97.9 | −0.1% |
| Goods | 96.3 | 96.8 | +0.4% |
| Housing (rents) | 101.2 | 99.8 | −1.4% |
| Utilities | 88.1 | 89.6 | +1.7% |
| Other services | 98.3 | 98.6 | +0.3% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,971 | $1,886 | −4.3% |
| Typical home value | $522,000 | $371,000 | −28.8% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Hilton Head Island | $75,000 | $74,900 | −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 Virginia Beach has narrowed since 2008: 5.0 points then, 0.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Virginia Beach, VA
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 | Virginia Beach, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.1 | 100.1 |
| 2009 | 92.6 | 99.2 |
| 2010 | 95.9 | 100.9 |
| 2011 | 93.0 | 101.3 |
| 2012 | 93.6 | 100.1 |
| 2013 | 95.7 | 99.7 |
| 2014 | 94.9 | 100.1 |
| 2015 | 95.2 | 100.2 |
| 2016 | 96.0 | 101.0 |
| 2017 | 92.0 | 99.1 |
| 2018 | 95.9 | 97.9 |
| 2019 | 97.7 | 95.5 |
| 2020 | 93.6 | 95.6 |
| 2021 | 99.1 | 97.9 |
| 2022 | 99.3 | 97.9 |
| 2023 | 96.0 | 97.7 |
| 2024 | 98.0 | 97.9 |
Goods
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Virginia Beach, VA
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 | Virginia Beach, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.6 | 97.6 |
| 2009 | 91.1 | 95.6 |
| 2010 | 96.2 | 96.8 |
| 2011 | 94.0 | 96.7 |
| 2012 | 91.0 | 96.9 |
| 2013 | 92.9 | 96.8 |
| 2014 | 91.7 | 96.9 |
| 2015 | 91.2 | 96.2 |
| 2016 | 92.4 | 96.8 |
| 2017 | 91.5 | 96.6 |
| 2018 | 95.3 | 95.6 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 95.1 |
| 2020 | 95.4 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 96.1 | 96.1 |
| 2022 | 94.5 | 95.5 |
| 2023 | 95.9 | 97.1 |
| 2024 | 96.3 | 96.8 |
Housing (rents)
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Virginia Beach, VA
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 | Virginia Beach, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.5 | 112.1 |
| 2009 | 99.7 | 113.1 |
| 2010 | 102.7 | 115.6 |
| 2011 | 88.1 | 115.4 |
| 2012 | 90.8 | 108.7 |
| 2013 | 96.4 | 107.8 |
| 2014 | 93.4 | 109.5 |
| 2015 | 95.7 | 108.8 |
| 2016 | 101.4 | 108.7 |
| 2017 | 86.2 | 103.7 |
| 2018 | 93.0 | 104.2 |
| 2019 | 107.4 | 97.5 |
| 2020 | 88.3 | 98.4 |
| 2021 | 104.5 | 99.3 |
| 2022 | 109.5 | 99.9 |
| 2023 | 93.2 | 97.7 |
| 2024 | 101.2 | 99.8 |
Utilities
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Virginia Beach, VA
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 | Virginia Beach, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 77.9 | 87.0 |
| 2009 | 79.7 | 89.5 |
| 2010 | 82.5 | 91.4 |
| 2011 | 86.1 | 90.6 |
| 2012 | 93.7 | 90.8 |
| 2013 | 91.4 | 89.1 |
| 2014 | 96.5 | 91.1 |
| 2015 | 99.6 | 91.1 |
| 2016 | 99.7 | 88.3 |
| 2017 | 99.7 | 84.5 |
| 2018 | 92.1 | 88.7 |
| 2019 | 95.4 | 91.6 |
| 2020 | 92.6 | 90.0 |
| 2021 | 89.8 | 86.9 |
| 2022 | 89.1 | 88.8 |
| 2023 | 85.5 | 88.4 |
| 2024 | 88.1 | 89.6 |
Other services
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Virginia Beach, VA
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 | Virginia Beach, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.0 | 98.6 |
| 2009 | 91.8 | 97.5 |
| 2010 | 94.0 | 99.5 |
| 2011 | 95.0 | 100.7 |
| 2012 | 97.0 | 100.2 |
| 2013 | 98.1 | 99.7 |
| 2014 | 98.3 | 99.8 |
| 2015 | 98.1 | 100.8 |
| 2016 | 96.3 | 102.1 |
| 2017 | 94.4 | 100.3 |
| 2018 | 97.9 | 98.0 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 95.4 |
| 2020 | 95.0 | 95.1 |
| 2021 | 99.9 | 99.6 |
| 2022 | 99.4 | 99.6 |
| 2023 | 97.9 | 98.8 |
| 2024 | 98.3 | 98.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,886 in Virginia Beach vs $1,971 in Hilton Head Island
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Virginia Beach, VA
- 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 | Virginia Beach, VA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,031 | $1,073 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,063 | $1,086 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,068 | $1,082 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,075 | $1,078 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,066 | $1,086 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,116 | $1,095 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,122 | $1,094 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,122 | $1,091 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,151 | $1,109 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,172 | $1,121 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,170 | $1,122 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,195 | $1,119 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,220 | $1,134 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,234 | $1,148 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,227 | $1,147 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,234 | $1,158 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,262 | $1,168 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,290 | $1,185 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,294 | $1,190 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,277 | $1,200 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,289 | $1,204 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,313 | $1,219 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,350 | $1,255 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,375 | $1,276 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,393 | $1,305 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,475 | $1,385 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,601 | $1,460 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,683 | $1,470 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,768 | $1,485 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,822 | $1,527 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,881 | $1,560 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,837 | $1,551 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,886 | $1,576 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,929 | $1,601 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,937 | $1,620 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,906 | $1,613 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,941 | $1,634 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,976 | $1,676 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,961 | $1,701 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,950 | $1,691 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,941 | $1,710 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,986 | $1,746 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,960 | $1,761 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,949 | $1,779 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,977 | $1,812 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,001 | $1,842 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,971 | $1,886 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $371,000 in Virginia Beach vs $522,000 in Hilton Head Island
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Virginia Beach, VA
- 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 | Virginia Beach, VA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $262K | $219K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $267K | $220K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $271K | $223K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $277K | $225K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $281K | $226K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $284K | $226K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $285K | $226K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $287K | $229K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $288K | $230K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $291K | $232K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $292K | $233K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $295K | $234K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $297K | $236K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $300K | $237K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $302K | $239K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $303K | $240K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $307K | $242K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $310K | $244K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $312K | $246K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $315K | $249K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $318K | $253K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $318K | $255K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $325K | $260K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $336K | $271K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $349K | $280K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $372K | $291K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $393K | $295K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $416K | $300K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $443K | $311K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $472K | $321K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $482K | $322K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $484K | $323K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $487K | $326K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $496K | $333K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $506K | $340K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $513K | $342K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $517K | $346K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $522K | $352K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $524K | $355K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $524K | $357K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $524K | $359K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $522K | $359K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $518K | $361K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $519K | $364K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $520K | $366K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $521K | $368K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $522K | $371K | $366K |
More about each city
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.