A Travel Price Comparison for South Carolina Hilton Head Island vs. Myrtle Beach for Families, Resorts, Beaches, and Food

Should you visit Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hilton Head Island

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

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a party-filled, busy, and jam-packed beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife and beaches.

Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Myrtle Beach. Although Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach are popular destinations, Myrtle Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Myrtle Beach is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Hilton Head Island attracts visitors for its food, resorts, shopping, and impressive beauty. Myrtle Beach is more touristy than Hilton Head Island and is popular for its party-hard atmosphere, spring break crowds, and beachfront nightlife scene. It is also well known for the Myrtle Beach boardwalk. Hilton Head Island is famous for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails.

The Myrtle Beach boardwalk

How is Hilton Head Island different from Myrtle Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Hilton Head Island is very good for its restaurant scene. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Hilton Head Island area. 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.

Myrtle Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Slices of pizza and seafood buffets are the most common options in the area. There are also themed restaurants and dinner shows that make for a fun night, even if the food isn't the highest quality.

Is Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach Better for Nightlife?

Myrtle Beach is terrific for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Myrtle Beach is a must-see party destination. This beach is famous for its nightlife. From all-night bars and clubs, to music concerts and outdoor venues, there's no shortage of things to do. Bachelor and Bachelorette parties and spring break crowds make this the place to be for a party.

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 Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach Better for Resorts?

Hilton Head Island is a great destination for its resorts. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its luxury resorts.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Hilton Head Island. 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.

Myrtle Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. While there are a handful of resorts in the area, like the popular Marriott Vacation Club, most hotels are crowded and lacking in space.

Is Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach Better for Beaches?

Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach are very good choices for a beach vacation.

Hilton Head Island is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Myrtle Beach. Most people head to the center of town and boardwalk for the nightlife and vibrant activities more than the actual beach. The stretches north and south have nice beaches lined with hotels and resorts, and a much more family-friendly atmosphere. If you want a more relaxed beach setting without the huge crowds, check out Myrtle Beach State Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach?

Hilton Head Island is very good for its shopping areas. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for shopping.

Many visitors go to Hilton Head Island to go shopping. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

Myrtle Beach is a good destination for shopping. The town is filled with souvenir shops, t-shirt shops, and candy vendors that make shopping entertaining.

Is Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach Better for Families?

Hilton Head Island is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Hilton Head Island is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

For families, Myrtle Beach is not always the best place to visit. While this area isn't generally considered a family destination, there are some newer vacation clubs and resorts that cater specifically to families and have become popular. The Marriott Vacation Club is one of the most popular with families in Myrtle Beach.

Is Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach Better for Couples?

Both Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Hilton Head Island is a good coastal town for couples to visit. 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.

Myrtle Beach is a nice destination for couples. The beach area isn't exactly a romantic destination but for couples who enjoy going out and having fun together, there is no shortage of night time activities.

Is Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach Better for Students?

Myrtle Beach is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

Myrtle Beach is very popular with students. University students flock to the area for spring break and end of year celebrations. If you're a student during those times, this is the place to be, otherwise, the area is best avoided.

Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

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

Neither Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited 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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Myrtle Beach. There are no real public transit options so you'll need a car to get around.

Is Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach a more walkable city?

Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Hilton Head Island is generally not a very walkable coastal town. 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.

Myrtle Beach is generally not very walkable. By the Boardwalk, it's easy to walk around, but traffic can still be congested and once you're out of the main strip, a car is essential.

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

Should I spend more time in Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head Island?

How long in Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach.

One day in Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach?

In Hilton Head Island, many people enjoy the shopping and food that this relaxing coastal town offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the jam-packed destination of Myrtle Beach. This beach city offers something for everyone. Most people visit for the nightlife. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach?

Hilton Head Island is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Myrtle Beach is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the party-filled beach city of Myrtle Beach. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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 Myrtle Beach has to offer.

Five days in Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach?

In Hilton Head Island, many people enjoy the shopping and food that this beautiful destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Myrtle Beach. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Most people come for the beaches. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the nightlife. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Myrtle Beach has to offer.

A week in Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach?

Hilton Head Island is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Myrtle Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this beach city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. It offers something for everyone. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach, we can see that Hilton Head Island is more expensive. And not only is Myrtle Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Myrtle Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach.

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

Which is Bigger, Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach?

Hilton Head Island has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Myrtle Beach. When comparing the sizes of Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach, 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 Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach?

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 Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach in the Summer?

Both Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Myrtle Beach this time of year.

Hilton Head Island is around the same temperature as Myrtle Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

In Myrtle Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hilton Head Island. In the summer, Hilton Head Island often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach. Hilton Head Island gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 283 hours of full sun.

Myrtle Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head Island usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Myrtle Beach. Hilton Head Island gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Myrtle Beach for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Hilton Head Island is around the same temperature as Myrtle Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hilton Head Island in October average around 68°F (20°C), and Myrtle Beach averages at about 65°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Myrtle Beach this time of the year. In Hilton Head Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hilton Head Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach during autumn. Hilton Head Island gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hilton Head Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Myrtle Beach. Hilton Head Island gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hilton Head Island as well as Myrtle Beach. Many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Myrtle Beach in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Hilton Head Island is generally a little warmer than Myrtle Beach. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 48°F (9°C), and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

In the winter, Hilton Head Island often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach. Hilton Head Island gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 180 hours of full sun.

Hilton Head Island usually gets less rain in January than Myrtle Beach. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Myrtle Beach in the Spring?

Both Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Myrtle Beach for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Hilton Head Island is a little warmer than Myrtle Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 67°F (19°C) in April, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Myrtle Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach during spring. Hilton Head Island gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hilton Head Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Myrtle Beach. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island