Travel Nurse Housing in Hilton Head, South Carolina: Complete Guide
Hilton Head Island is a premier Lowcountry resort destination in South Carolina, known for golf, beaches, and a relaxed pace of life. Travel nurses find moderate demand at the local hospital and an upscale island lifestyle.
Hilton Head Hospital serves the island and surrounding Lowcountry area.
Whether you are heading to Hilton Head for your first travel nursing assignment or returning for another contract, this guide will help you navigate the housing market, understand what to expect from local costs, and find a neighborhood that fits your needs. Hilton Head Island has a lot to offer travel nurses, and a little planning goes a long way toward making your assignment a success.
Major Hospitals and Health Systems
Hilton Head is home to several major hospitals and health systems that consistently hire travel nurses across a wide range of specialties. Knowing which facilities are in the area helps you plan your housing search around commute times and gives you a sense of where demand is concentrated.
Hilton Head Hospital — A community hospital providing emergency, medical, and surgical services to Hilton Head Island and Bluffton.
Travel nurse demand in Hilton Head is generally moderate, with ED, med-surg, and telemetry being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during summer tourist season and winter snowbird season. If you are flexible on specialty or shift, you will have even more options to choose from in this market.
Best Neighborhoods for Travel Nurses
Choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important decisions you will make during your Hilton Head assignment. Where you live affects your commute, your safety, your access to amenities, and ultimately your quality of life for the duration of your contract. Here are the top neighborhoods that travel nurses should consider when searching for housing in Hilton Head Island.
Mid-Island
The central area with grocery stores, restaurants, and Coligny Beach.
Pros: Central location, beach access, practical amenities, restaurants
Cons: Tourist traffic, higher rents, can feel commercial
North End
Near Palmetto Dunes and Port Royal Plantation with resort-style living.
Pros: Resort feel, beach access, quieter, golf courses
Cons: Expensive, gated communities, car-dependent
Bluffton
A mainland town just over the bridge with more affordable housing and a charming Old Town.
Pros: More affordable, Old Town charm, growing dining scene, mainland convenience
Cons: Bridge commute, less beach access, hotter without ocean breeze
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. The island is 12 miles long. Bluffton is about 15 minutes over the bridge. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Hilton Head through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Hilton Head are slightly above the national average. Here is a general overview of what you can expect to pay for rental housing in the area. Keep in mind that prices vary by neighborhood, season, and the specific amenities included with the unit.
- Studio apartment: $1,000 to $1,600 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,200 to $2,000 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,500 to $2,500 per month
Hilton Head is a resort island with seasonal pricing. Summer weeks command premium rates. Bluffton offers year-round savings. Many plantation communities have rental restrictions.
Many travel nurses in Hilton Head find their housing through Furnished Finder , which connects healthcare travelers with landlords who specifically offer furnished, short-term rentals designed for assignment-length stays. It is one of the most widely used housing platforms in the travel nursing industry and an excellent starting point for your search. You can also explore local Facebook groups, Craigslist, and extended-stay hotels to compare your options and find the best fit for your budget and preferences.
GSA Stipend Rate
The General Services Administration publishes per diem rates that many travel nursing agencies use as a baseline for calculating housing and meals and incidentals stipends. The GSA rate for the Hilton Head, SC area varies by time of year, with higher rates typically applying during peak travel seasons and lower rates during off-peak months.
It is essential to check the current GSA per diem rate for your specific assignment dates and location, as rates are updated annually each October and can change significantly from year to year. You can look up the exact rate on the GSA website or ask your recruiter for the figures they are using to calculate your pay package. Keep in mind that your actual stipend may differ from the published GSA rate depending on your agency’s internal pay structure and policies.
Understanding how your stipend fits into your total compensation is key to evaluating any travel nursing contract. For help breaking down the numbers, use our pay calculator to compare packages side by side and see your estimated take-home pay after taxes, stipends, and deductions.
Housing Tips for Hilton Head
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Hilton Head that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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South Carolina cost of living is favorable — While Hilton Head itself is pricey, Bluffton and the surrounding Lowcountry are affordable.
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Beach and golf lifestyle — 12 miles of beaches and over 20 championship golf courses on the island.
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Gated plantation communities — Many residential areas are gated plantations. Understand gate access before committing to housing.
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Sea turtle nesting season — May through October, sea turtles nest on the beaches. Lights-out regulations apply.
For a comprehensive overview of the housing search process from start to finish, including how to spot scams and negotiate lease terms, check out our complete travel nurse housing guide. It covers everything you need to know regardless of which city you are heading to.
Cost of Living Overview
Hilton Head’s cost of living is above average for the resort areas. Bluffton and the mainland are more affordable.
When budgeting for your Hilton Head assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Publix and Kroger are the main grocery stores. The island has upscale dining. Bluffton offers more casual and affordable options. Tracking your spending during the first two weeks of your assignment will give you a realistic picture of your monthly costs and help you adjust your budget accordingly.
Things to Do on Days Off
One of the greatest perks of travel nursing is the opportunity to explore a new city on your days off. Hilton Head has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Beaches — 12 miles of wide, hard-packed beaches perfect for biking, walking, and sunbathing.
- Biking the Island — Over 60 miles of paved bike paths make Hilton Head one of the most bike-friendly places in America.
- Golf — Over 20 championship golf courses including Harbour Town, host of the RBC Heritage PGA Tour event.
- Kayaking and Dolphin Tours — Explore the Lowcountry marshes and spot bottlenose dolphins on kayak tours.
Take full advantage of your time in Hilton Head Island. Exploring the local culture, trying restaurants you have never heard of, and visiting nearby attractions are what make travel nursing more than just a paycheck. Many travel nurses find that their days off are when they truly fall in love with a new city.
Final Thoughts
Hilton Head, South Carolina offers travel nurses a South Carolina Lowcountry island with beaches, world-class golf, over 60 miles of bike paths, and a relaxed resort lifestyle just across the bridge from affordable Bluffton. With Hilton Head Hospital and a above average cost of living, it is a market well worth considering whether you are a first-time traveler or a seasoned veteran looking for your next destination.
Start your housing search as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks before your assignment start date. The best furnished rentals tend to go quickly, especially in popular neighborhoods near major hospitals. Furnished Finder is an excellent resource for finding travel nurse housing in Hilton Head, and joining local travel nurse social media groups can give you insider tips and real-time availability updates.
For more resources on finding and securing great travel nurse housing anywhere in the country, explore our complete housing guide. And when you are comparing pay packages for Hilton Head assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Hilton Head assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.