salaryRent is higher than in 73% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.3 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 14.4 minutes. Most households rent (62%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $83,480 a year. That is $40 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other South Carolina cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of South Carolina. It is number 94 of 101 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Port Royal?
Share of households by yearly income. 22.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Port Royal
| Size | Port Royal | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,517 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,563 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,872 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,949 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,297 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Port Royal overall?
Everyday prices in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Port Royal
Life in Port Royal
What jobs pay in Port Royal
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $137,360 | 18.2% |
| Software Developer | $125,760 | 19.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $125,350 | 20.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,130 | 21.0% |
| Lawyer | $107,740 | 23.2% |
| Operations Manager | $102,770 | 24.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $97,770 | 25.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $90,660 | 27.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $83,420 | 30.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,400 | 30.8% |
| Accountant | $77,610 | 32.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $71,330 | 35.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $64,990 | 38.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,270 | 39.0% |
| Police Officer | $59,240 | 42.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,280 | 43.0% |
| Electrician | $57,030 | 43.9% |
| Plumber | $54,870 | 45.6% |
| Truck Driver | $52,530 | 47.7% |
| Firefighter | $50,210 | 49.9% |
| Carpenter | $49,070 | 51.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,610 | 57.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,730 | 66.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,590 | 66.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,040 | 67.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,820 | 68.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,880 | 73.9% |
| Cashier | $30,350 | 82.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $19,830 | 126.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Port Royal?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $322 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $347,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $34,720 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Port Royal, SC?
Renting in Port Royal costs a median of about $2,087 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Carolina median is $1,479.
How much do I need to make to live in Port Royal?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $83,480 a year, or $40 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Port Royal cheap or expensive?
Port Royal is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.0% of the typical household income of $80,747. It ranks 94th cheapest of 101 South Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Port Royal?
The median homeowner in Port Royal pays $2,010 a year in property taxes, about 0.58% of the median home value.
Is Port Royal more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Port Royal?
The median home value in Port Royal is $347,200, about 4.3 times the typical yearly household income.
15,579 people live in Port Royal. Numbers are typical (middle) values.