Living in Beaufort, South Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Beaufort · Census data 2020–2024
Beaufort has 13,747 residents with a median age of 32.2. The median household income is $61,220 (12% lower than the South Carolina median), the median home value is $345,400, the median rent is $1,212/month.
Beaufort at a glance
- Population
- 13,747
- Median age
- 32.2State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $61,220State: $69,324
- Median home value
- $345,400State: $259,000
- Median rent
- $1,212/moState: $1,180
- Homeowners
- 61.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39.6%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Beaufort a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%; a poverty rate of 12.5%.
Cons: Median household income 12% lower than the South Carolina median; home values 33% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in April–May and October–November.
Cost of living in Beaufort
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Beaufort the median home value is $345,400, 4% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,212 per month, which is 33.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,912 a month in housing costs.
Beaufort median household income
The median household income in Beaufort is $61,220 and the income per person is $39,044. 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line (South Carolina: 14.1%).
Housing in Beaufort: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 6,327
- Owner-occupied
- 61.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 38.5%
- Vacant
- 15.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1984
- Average household size
- 2.21
Beaufort demographics
- Population
- 13,747
- Median age
- 32.2
- Under 18
- 16.9%
- 65 and older
- 14.9%
- Households
- 5,348
- Foreign-born
- 3.9%
- Veterans
- 15.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Beaufort ›
Education in Beaufort
39.6% of adults 25 and older in Beaufort have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Carolina: 32.1%), and 14.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Beaufort
- Unemployment rate
- 3.6%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 8%
- Drive alone
- 68.6%
- Public transit
- 0.2%
- Walk to work
- 4.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.1%
Beaufort vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort | 13,747 | $61,220 | $345,400 | $1,212 |
| Burton | 6,912 | $68,063 | $247,600 | $1,229 |
| Laurel Bay | 5,882 | $54,345 | $231,800 | $1,454 |
| Shell Point | 1,439 | $81,630 | $293,300 | $1,188 |
| Seabrook | 799 | $63,149 | — | — |
| Port Royal | 15,579 | $74,870 | $347,200 | $1,726 |
| Ridgeland | 3,764 | $62,981 | $228,400 | $734 |
| Yemassee | 1,178 | $44,896 | $161,600 | $748 |
| Fripp Island | 752 | $102,778 | $671,300 | — |
More for people moving to Beaufort
Beaufort ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Beaufort: FAQ
What is the median household income in Beaufort, SC?
The median household income in Beaufort is $61,220, 12% lower than the South Carolina median of $69,324 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Beaufort?
The median home value in Beaufort is $345,400, compared with $259,000 in South Carolina.
How much is rent in Beaufort?
The median gross rent in Beaufort is $1,212 per month, about 33.9% of household income.
Is Beaufort, SC a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%; a poverty rate of 12.5%. Minuses: median household income 12% lower than the South Carolina median; home values 33% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Beaufort?
The median age in Beaufort is 32.2 years (South Carolina: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Beaufort?
The average commute to work in Beaufort is 18 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Beaufort?
The unemployment rate in Beaufort is 3.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Beaufort?
39.6% of adults in Beaufort have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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