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City Report · NC

Beaufort

Pop. 4,689·10th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Beaufort, NC
Median rent (all units)
$2,098/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-10.1%
vs US Median
+$133
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Beaufort · $2,098
More expensive than 64% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
47% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,098/mo, rent takes about 47% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$84,000/yr
Local median income
$53,321/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Beaufort's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$820
1 BR
$820
2 BR
$1,080
3 BR
$1,400
4 BR+
$1,770
Research median
$1,080/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$25,176/yr
At $2,098/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -10.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Beaufort, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 40.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
4,689
Median income
$53,321
Median age
55
Renters
46.6%
Age distribution
14.5%
15.6%
19.9%
14.8%
35.2%
Under 1814.5%
18–3415.6%
35–5419.9%
55–6414.8%
65+35.2%
Gender
46.4%
53.6%
Male46.4%
Female53.6%
Race & ethnicity
82.7%
White82.7%
Black10.1%
Hispanic1.6%
Other5.6%
Education (25+)
17.1%
34.3%
40.2%
No HS diploma8.4%
HS diploma17.1%
Some college34.3%
Bachelor's+40.2%
Housing tenure
53.4%
46.6%
Owner53.4%
Renter46.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Beaufort, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$39,472 → $53,321
up 35.1%
Population
4,464 → 4,689
up 5.0%
Renter share
54.4% → 46.6%
-7.8 pts
Bachelor's+
29.8% → 40.2%
+10.4 pts
Median age
51.1 → 55
+3.9 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $53,321 today, compared with $39,472 five years earlier. Census counts show Beaufort, NC adding about 225 residents over the five-year window, up 5.0% on net. The renter share has eased from 54.4% to 46.6%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 29.8% to 40.2% across the same window.

Community

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View Beaufort rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Beaufort on your salary?

At $2,098/mo, how Beaufort rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Beaufort rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Beaufort. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Beaufort

About renting in Beaufort, NC

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Beaufort is $2,098/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $820/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,080/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $820/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,400/mo.

At 47% of local median household income ($53,321/yr), Beaufort ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Beaufort an affordable city for renters?

Beaufort is considered stretched for renters. At $2,098/mo, rent takes approximately 47% of the local median household income ($53,321/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Beaufort significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Beaufort?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $84,000/year (~$40/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,098/mo in Beaufort. The local median household income is $53,321/yr, meaning the typical Beaufort household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Beaufort?

Rent in Beaufort has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of June 2026.

How does Beaufort rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Beaufort is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #10 out of 124 tracked cities at $2,098/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Beaufort?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Beaufort ($2,098/mo): Havelock ($1,289/mo), Fairfield Harbour ($1,500/mo), Morehead City ($1,638/mo).

What percentage of Beaufort residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.6% of Beaufort households are renters, while 53.4% are owner-occupied. Beaufort leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Beaufort rent compare to the national average?

Beaufort's median rent of $2,098/mo is $133 (7%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #10 out of 124 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
47%
STRETCHED

At $2,098/mo, rent takes ~47% of Beaufort's median household income ($53,321/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Beaufort 47%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Beaufort affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Beaufort, NC

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