Real Estate Investing in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (29926)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Beaufort County • Population: 25,174 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 29926 (Hilton Head Island, SC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (50/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 13.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Hilton Head Island, SC (29926)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $753,570
Avg Monthly Rent $2,922
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $95,090
% Renters 20.9%

Market Analysis: 29926 Hilton Head Island

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Hilton Head Island's 29926 ZIP comes in at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $754K pricing implies.

The investment case in 29926 is sturdy only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $754K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Statewide comparisons place 29926 among SC's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Resident income in 29926 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Hilton Head Island:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.9× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,922/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
80 days
Average time to sell
Slow
8.0%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 29926

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+12.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$158,740/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $641,732 $1,750 2.0% +11.5% $641,732
2BR $317,480 $1,920 4.4% +9.5% $158,740
3BR $786,257 $2,300 2.1% +11.8% $262,086
4BR $1,095,920 $2,880 1.9% +12.6% $273,980
5BR $1,476,331 +12.5% $295,266

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$793K$691K$588K$486K$384K$282KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,023$2,930$2,837$2,744$2,651$2,558Jan 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 29926 Compare?

Metric 29926 Hilton Head Island Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC South Carolina
Home Value $753,570 $762,556 N/A $299,690
5-Year CAGR 7.9% 7.6% N/A 7.3%
Avg Rent $2,922 $3,001 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 29926? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 29926 (Hilton Head Island, SC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.9%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $753,570
Monthly Rent $2,922
Price-to-Rent 21.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.7%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 11.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +3.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
13.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.9%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 29926

Population: 25,174

💰 Median Household Income
$95,090
This area
$95,090
State
$58,636
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
20.9%
This area
20.9%
State
26.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.0%
This area
1.0%
State
-1.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
49.0%
This area
49.0%
State
14.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
57.4 years
This area
57.4 years
State
22.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.8%
This area
13.8%
State
17.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 73.7%
Other/Mixed 16.1%
Hispanic/Latino 13.5%
Black/African American 9.8%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
13.8%
This area
13.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
36.1%
This area
36.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.8%
This area
6.8%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 29926

A+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
10.8:1 Avg Class Size
$22,414 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center

📚 Pre-K – K Elementary
👥
327 Students
👨‍🏫
9.6:1 Class Size
💰
$22,414 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hilton Head Island Elementary

📚 01 – 05 Elementary
👥
723 Students
👨‍🏫
9.2:1 Class Size
💰
$22,414 Per Student
A+ Excellent
👥
528 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$22,414 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Hilton Head Island Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
831 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$22,414 Per Student
A Very Good

Hilton Head Island High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,317 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$22,414 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

2 Nearby 1,005 Off-Campus Students
C
Technical College of the Lowcountry
2,349 students · 13.6 mi
C+
University of South Carolina Beaufort
2,121 students · 14.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,005 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do tenants pay in Hilton Head Island, SC?

Rents in Hilton Head Island, SC run near $2,922/mo. Compared with median home prices of $754K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Hilton Head Island, SC?

Vacancy in Hilton Head Island, SC is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $2,922/mo.

Is real estate in Hilton Head Island, SC a good investment right now?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Hilton Head Island, SC ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $754K and rents of $2,922/mo drive the underlying numbers.

How do home values compare in Hilton Head Island, SC?

Typical homes in Hilton Head Island, SC go for around $754K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% reliable price movement.

Are tenants stable in Hilton Head Island, SC?

Hilton Head Island, SC offers a predictable renter base at the $2,922/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

You know 29926 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 29926 ranks in Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, SC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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