A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Ocean City vs. Hilton Head Island for Families, Resorts, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Ocean City or Hilton Head Island?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Hilton Head Island? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Ocean City

Ocean City is a laid back, active, and energetic city. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and food.

Hilton Head Island

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

Ocean City and Hilton Head Island: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Hilton Head Island?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ocean City. Although Ocean City and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations, Ocean City has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ocean City is very popular for its museums and nightlife, while Hilton Head Island attracts visitors for its shopping and impressive beauty. Ocean City is more touristy than Hilton Head Island and is popular for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. It is also well known for the Ocean City boardwalk. Hilton Head Island is famous for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails.

How is Ocean City 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 Ocean City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Ocean City is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Ocean City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people spend their time on the beach, but for the rainy days you can check out the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum or the Art League of Ocean City.

Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Ocean City and Hilton Head Island both to be nice destinations.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Ocean City area. Themed restaurants are popular in the area. You'll also find all-you-can-eat seafood buffets and casual diners with pancakes and waffles. Pizza, burgers, and other fast food options are also abundant.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Hilton Head Island. 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 Ocean City or Hilton Head Island Better for Nightlife?

Ocean City is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Ocean City has a large number of nightlife venues. Happy hours are popular at the bars in the area. You'll also find live music and DJ led parties. Head to the boardwalk, which will overwhelm your senses. There are neon lights, colorful rides, and arcades filled with people and activities.

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 Ocean City or Hilton Head Island Better for Resorts?

Ocean City and Hilton Head Island offer a relatively similar set of great luxury resort options.

Ocean City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are many oceanfront resorts with pools and rooms with ocean views. The hotels along the beach tend to be the most expensive, but if you find a place across from the Coastal Highway, it's very challenging to walk to the beach.

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.

Is Ocean City or Hilton Head Island Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Ocean City and Hilton Head Island are great choices.

Ocean City is considered a top beach destination. There are ten miles of sandy beach that are lined with hotels and resorts. A festive boardwalk runs along the coastline and has many rides, arcades, restaurants, and more. The beach offers waves and warm water during the summer months.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Hilton Head Island?

Hilton Head Island is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Ocean City is not a good city 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.

Ocean City is a good destination for shopping. You'll find surf stores and souvenir shops along the three mile boardwalk. There are also many vendors and shopping centers along the Coastal Highway. For something a little more interesting you can head to the Inlet Village.

Is Ocean City or Hilton Head Island Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ocean City or Hilton Head Island.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Ocean City is a very family-friendly destination. Beyond the family-friendly beach, there's also minigolf, dolphin tours, and themed-restaurants that are perfect for kids. Head to the Jolly Roger amusement park for a thrilling afternoon or spend some time visiting Ripley's Believe It or Not. The boardwalk is lined with activities for both kids and adults. There are also candy shops, ice cream parlors, and pizza joints where you can grab a bite to eat.

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.

Is Ocean City or Hilton Head Island Better for Couples?

Ocean City is a very popular place for couples. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Ocean City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Hotels line the beach, many with beautiful views and nice pools. You can take long romantic walks along the coastline or head to one of the many seafood restaurants in town.

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

Ocean City 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 Ocean City. There are boardwalk trams as well as shuttle buses, but most people have their own vehicle, and its recommended you have a private car to get around.

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 Ocean City or Hilton Head Island a more walkable city?

Ocean City and Hilton Head Island both are reasonable when exploring on foot.

Ocean City is generally not very walkable. If you stay at an oceanfront hotel or on the ocean block, it's possible to walk to the beach. If you stay further back, you'll have to cross the Coastal Highway, which is eight lanes of busy traffic.

Hilton Head Island is generally not a very walkable city. 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 Ocean City Worth Visiting? and Is Hilton Head Island Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilton Head Island or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Hilton Head Island?

Both Ocean City and Hilton Head Island have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Ocean City has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Ocean City than Hilton Head Island. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Ocean City, and 5-7 days is enough time in Hilton Head Island.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ocean City 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 Ocean City.

One day in Ocean City or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the fun-filled destination of Ocean City. This city offers something for everyone. 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.

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 Ocean City or Hilton Head Island?

Ocean City is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fun-filled city of Ocean City. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

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 Ocean City or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ocean City. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Most people come for the beaches. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ocean City 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 Ocean City or Hilton Head Island?

Ocean City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this 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.

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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Hilton Head Island?

Hilton Head Island has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City 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 Ocean City 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 Ocean City or Hilton Head Island in the Summer?

Both Hilton Head Island and Ocean City during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Ocean City is cooler than Hilton Head Island in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

Hilton Head Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ocean City. Ocean City usually gets less rain in July than Hilton Head Island. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Hilton Head Island in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Hilton Head Island. Many travelers come to Ocean City for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Ocean City is cooler than Hilton Head Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocean City in October average around 58°F (14°C), and Hilton Head Island averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In October, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Hilton Head Island. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ocean City or Hilton Head Island in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Hilton Head Island. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Ocean City can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Ocean City is generally much colder than Hilton Head Island. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 35°F (2°C), and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Ocean City usually gets more rain in January than Hilton Head Island. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Hilton Head Island in the Spring?

Both Hilton Head Island and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Ocean City is much colder than Hilton Head Island in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In April, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Hilton Head Island. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 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 Ocean City