What it's like to live in Beaufort
Beaufort is a small city in South Carolina with rent below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, a highly educated workforce, and a population that has grown fast since 2020. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Beaufort deals with household incomes below the national average, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, hot summers, and fewer dining and entertainment options than a bigger city.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Fast-growing population
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Below-average household incomes
- High rent burden for renters
- Hot summers
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Beaufort compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Beaufort
Based on Beaufort's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,424
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $48,480 a year
- 59% of Beaufort renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$69,080
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $34,540
- Homes cost 5.6× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 14% below US
$1,212/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,212 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices run above average, with a median around $345,400. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $345,400 · 59% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
4.2% county unemployment
Unemployment in Beaufort County is 4.2%, close to the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Beaufort County (county-wide)
Safety▼ 10% below US
296 violent crimes per 100k
Crime runs about typical for a city this size. Some neighborhoods are safer than others, and one overall rate doesn't tell the whole story, so a neighborhood-level look matters more than the headline stat.
Property crime 2038/100k · Beaufort Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 30% below US
18 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 18.3 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 9 in 10 workers drive to work; 8% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 90°F, and winters are chilly but manageable, with lows around 42°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 4.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▲ 10% above US
40% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 40% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.
Schools
6 public schools inside the boundary
There are 6 public schools inside the boundary and 1 private school. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Reconstruction Era National Historical Park (7 miles away). There are 6 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Beaufort's strongest points are rent below the national average and commutes that run shorter than most cities; the main tradeoffs are household incomes below the national average and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin. A year of median rent ($1,212/mo) equals 24% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Beaufort
All South Carolina guides →Moving to Hilton Head Island →
19 mi away · pop. 37,911
Rent $1,479/mo · Income $94,657
Compare with Beaufort →Moving to North Charleston →
49 mi away · pop. 119,913
Rent $1,430/mo · Income $62,956
Compare with Beaufort →Not sure Beaufort is the one?
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