A Travel Price Comparison for South Carolina Charleston vs. Hilton Head Island for Food, Families, Couples, and Resorts

Should you visit Charleston or Hilton Head Island?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Hilton Head Island, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Charleston

Charleston is a picturesque, charming, and southern coastal town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a beautiful, resort-filled, and family-friendly coastal town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, food, and beaches.

Charleston and Hilton Head Island: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charleston or Hilton Head Island?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Charleston. Although Charleston and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations, Charleston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Charleston is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Hilton Head Island attracts visitors for its resorts. Charleston is famous for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses. It is also well known for The Waterfront Park. Hilton Head Island is famous for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails.

How is Charleston different from Hilton Head Island?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hilton Head Island and Charleston. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charleston or Hilton Head Island?

Charleston is very good for its museums and history. However, Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charleston. This city is famous for its many historic churches and plantations. The plantations are open to visit and will educate you on the city's past, which is heavily involved in slavery. You can also visit Fort Sumter National Monument by boat or take a tour of the USS Yorktown.

Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Charleston or Hilton Head Island? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Charleston is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Charleston has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Food lovers will enjoy the city's low country classics. There are many local restaurants in town that serve southern specialties. You can also head a bit out of the town center if you want a waterfront restaurant. Local favorites include she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, cornbread, and fried green tomatoes.

Hilton Head Island offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

Is Charleston or Hilton Head Island Better for Nightlife?

Charleston is very good for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Charleston. As a college town, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around town. There's also a lively music scene. Head to the areas near the college for the most affordable and active nightlife. Popular clubs in town include Cure Night Club, Deco Nightclub, and Mynt.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Is Charleston or Hilton Head Island Better for Music?

Charleston is very good for its music scene. However, Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in Charleston. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.

Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

Is Charleston or Hilton Head Island Better for Resorts?

Hilton Head Island is notable for its resorts. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its luxury resorts.

Hilton Head Island is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

Charleston has a handful of resorts to choose from. The town has mostly hotels and bed and breakfasts in the downtown area, but nearby Kiawah Island has a number of nice resorts to choose from. Kiawah Island is particularly kid-friendly if you're looking for a family beach vacation. If you have a bit more money to spend and want something more residential, check out nearby Seabrook Island.

Is Charleston or Hilton Head Island Better for Beaches?

Both Charleston and Hilton Head Island have excellent beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Charleston. The area has a number of beautiful and fun nearby beaches including Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. Folly Beach is an active and quirky beach area, while Kiawah is more family-friendly. Seabrook is more residential and more expensive.

The beaches at Hilton Head Island attract visitors from all over. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

Is Charleston or Hilton Head Island Better for its Old Town?

Charleston is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, Hilton Head Island does not have a historic old town.

Charleston has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Charleston's downtown is one of the most charming and well preserved Old Town's in the United States. It's easy to see why it's become a world class destination.

Hilton Head Island does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Charleston or Hilton Head Island?

Charleston is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Charleston specifically to go shopping. The city is famous for its historic market in the center of town. Local goods, foods, and crafts are sold daily here. There are also many clothing and local shops throughout town, particularly along King Street, which has boutiques and high end outlets. Outside of town, stop by Tanger Outlet Mall if you want name brands at a discount price.

Hilton Head Island is a great destination for shopping. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

Is Charleston or Hilton Head Island Better for Christmas?

Charleston is a very popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Hilton Head Island does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Charleston is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. During the Christmas season there are a number of festivals, light shows, and even a boat parade that everyone can enjoy.

Hilton Head Island does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Charleston or Hilton Head Island Better for Christmas Markets?

Charleston is very good for visiting Christmas markets. However, Hilton Head Island does not offer Christmas markets.

Charleston offers some nice Christmas markets. Marion Square hosts Christmas Markets on weekends throughout the holiday season.

Hilton Head Island does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Charleston or Hilton Head Island Better for Families?

Hilton Head Island is an amazing coastal town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Hilton Head Island is an amazing family-friendly coastal town to visit. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

Charleston is a family-friendly coastal town. The city has a number of family-friendly activities like carriage rides and boat rides. There's also an aquarium, a waterfront park, and many kid-friendly museums. The nearby beaches also make it a wonderful place to visit with kids.

Is Charleston or Hilton Head Island Better for Couples?

Charleston is terrific for couples. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Charleston has plenty to offer. This beautiful city is one of the most popular wedding destinations in America. It's a very romantic setting with beautiful hotels and bed and breakfasts that are perfect for couples on their honeymoon or looking for a romantic setting.

Hilton Head Island is a nice destination for couples. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

Is Charleston or Hilton Head Island Better for Students?

Charleston is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Charleston. The city is a college town with a young vibe that is perfect for students. There's a nice university area where you'll find cheaper places to eat and a good nightlife scene.

Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

Is Charleston or Hilton Head Island Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Charleston is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Charleston. While there are some buses, you really must have a car to fully experience the entire area.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is Charleston or Hilton Head Island a more walkable city?

Charleston is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Charleston is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is very walkable, but once you leave the historic heart, it's best to have a car.

Hilton Head Island is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

For even more information, also check out Is Charleston Worth Visiting? and Is Hilton Head Island Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilton Head Island or Charleston?

How long in Charleston or Hilton Head Island?

Both Charleston and Hilton Head Island have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Charleston has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Charleston than Hilton Head Island. In general, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Charleston, and 5-7 days is enough time in Hilton Head Island.

Families should spend more time in Charleston than Hilton Head Island. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Charleston, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Charleston than Hilton Head Island. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Charleston that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charleston than Hilton Head Island if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Charleston.

One day in Charleston or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the picturesque destination of Charleston. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With shopping and food around the beautiful coastal town of Hilton Head Island, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Charleston or Hilton Head Island?

Charleston is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the southern coastal town of Charleston. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Charleston has to offer.

With food and shopping around the destination of Hilton Head Island, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Charleston or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the quaint destination of Charleston. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Charleston has to offer.

Hilton Head Island, a popular coastal town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Charleston or Hilton Head Island?

Charleston is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. Visiting the old town is also a must. It offers something for everyone. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Hilton Head Island is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charleston and Hilton Head Island, we can see that Hilton Head Island is more expensive. And not only is Charleston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charleston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charleston and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Hilton Head Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilton Head Island than you might in Charleston.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charleston Expensive? and Is Hilton Head Island Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charleston or Hilton Head Island?

Charleston has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Hilton Head Island. When comparing the sizes of Charleston and Hilton Head Island, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Charleston or Hilton Head Island?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Charleston or Hilton Head Island in the Summer?

Both Hilton Head Island and Charleston during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Charleston for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Charleston is around the same temperature as Hilton Head Island in the summer. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In Hilton Head Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charleston. In the summer, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Hilton Head Island. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 267 hours of full sun.

Hilton Head Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Charleston. Charleston usually gets less rain in July than Hilton Head Island. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or Hilton Head Island in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Hilton Head Island. The autumn months attract visitors to Charleston because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year.

In the autumn, Charleston is around the same temperature as Hilton Head Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charleston in October average around 67°F (19°C), and Hilton Head Island averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hilton Head Island this time of the year. Charleston usually receives less sunshine than Hilton Head Island during autumn. Charleston gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 223 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charleston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hilton Head Island. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charleston or Hilton Head Island in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Hilton Head Island. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Charleston this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Charleston is generally around the same temperature as Hilton Head Island. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 47°F (9°C), and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In the winter, Charleston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilton Head Island receives 176 hours of full sun.

Charleston usually gets more rain in January than Hilton Head Island. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or Hilton Head Island in the Spring?

Both Hilton Head Island and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Charleston for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Charleston is around the same temperature as Hilton Head Island in the spring. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Hilton Head Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charleston. Charleston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hilton Head Island during spring. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Hilton Head Island receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charleston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hilton Head Island. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hilton Head Island and Charleston