salaryRent is lower than in 71% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.2 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.3 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,000 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other South Carolina cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of South Carolina. It is number 38 of 101 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Beaufort?
Share of households by yearly income. 25.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Beaufort
| Size | Beaufort | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,219 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $646 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,245 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,901 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Beaufort 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 Beaufort
Life in Beaufort
What jobs pay in Beaufort
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $137,360 | 11.1% |
| Software Developer | $125,760 | 12.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $125,350 | 12.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,130 | 12.8% |
| Lawyer | $107,740 | 14.2% |
| Operations Manager | $102,770 | 14.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $97,770 | 15.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $90,660 | 16.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $83,420 | 18.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,400 | 18.8% |
| Accountant | $77,610 | 19.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $71,330 | 21.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $64,990 | 23.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,270 | 23.8% |
| Police Officer | $59,240 | 25.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,280 | 26.3% |
| Electrician | $57,030 | 26.8% |
| Plumber | $54,870 | 27.9% |
| Truck Driver | $52,530 | 29.1% |
| Firefighter | $50,210 | 30.5% |
| Carpenter | $49,070 | 31.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,610 | 35.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,730 | 40.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,590 | 40.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,040 | 41.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,820 | 41.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,880 | 45.2% |
| Cashier | $30,350 | 50.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $19,830 | 77.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Beaufort?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,122 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $345,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $34,540 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Beaufort, SC?
Renting in Beaufort costs a median of about $1,275 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Carolina median is $1,479.
How much do I need to make to live in Beaufort?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,000 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Beaufort cheap or expensive?
Beaufort is rated OK: rent takes 23.2% of the typical household income of $66,026. It ranks 38th cheapest of 101 South Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Beaufort?
The median homeowner in Beaufort pays $1,839 a year in property taxes, about 0.53% of the median home value.
Is Beaufort 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 Beaufort?
The median home value in Beaufort is $345,400, about 5.2 times the typical yearly household income.
13,747 people live in Beaufort. Numbers are typical (middle) values.