salaryRent is higher than in 88% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.1 years of household income. Most homes (83.4%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $105,080 a year. That is $51 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 98 of 101 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Bluffton?
Share of households by yearly income. 42.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bluffton
| Size | Bluffton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $2,031 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,134 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,767 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,309 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Bluffton 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 Bluffton
Life in Bluffton
What jobs pay in Bluffton
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $137,360 | 22.9% |
| Software Developer | $125,760 | 25.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $125,350 | 25.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,130 | 26.5% |
| Lawyer | $107,740 | 29.3% |
| Operations Manager | $102,770 | 30.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $97,770 | 32.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $90,660 | 34.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $83,420 | 37.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,400 | 38.7% |
| Accountant | $77,610 | 40.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $71,330 | 44.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $64,990 | 48.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,270 | 49.0% |
| Police Officer | $59,240 | 53.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,280 | 54.1% |
| Electrician | $57,030 | 55.3% |
| Plumber | $54,870 | 57.5% |
| Truck Driver | $52,530 | 60.0% |
| Firefighter | $50,210 | 62.8% |
| Carpenter | $49,070 | 64.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,610 | 72.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,730 | 83.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,590 | 83.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,040 | 85.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,820 | 85.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,880 | 93.0% |
| Cashier | $30,350 | 103.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $19,830 | 159.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bluffton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $787 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $492,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $49,210 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bluffton, SC?
Renting in Bluffton costs a median of about $2,627 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Carolina median is $1,479.
How much do I need to make to live in Bluffton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $105,080 a year, or $51 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bluffton cheap or expensive?
Bluffton is rated OK: rent takes 26.3% of the typical household income of $120,017. It ranks 98th cheapest of 101 South Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Bluffton?
The median homeowner in Bluffton pays $2,988 a year in property taxes, about 0.61% of the median home value.
Is Bluffton 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 Bluffton?
The median home value in Bluffton is $492,100, about 4.1 times the typical yearly household income.
33,157 people live in Bluffton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.