City Report · SC

Beaufort

Pop. 13,747·20th most expensive in South Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Beaufort, SC
Median rent (all units)
$1,825/mo
Year-over-Year
-0.7%
Month-over-Month
+1.4%
vs US Median
-$137
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Beaufort · $1,825
More affordable than 52% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
59/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Beaufort's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,825/mo
Expected by trend
$1,914/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Beaufort's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,517
1 BR
$1,573
2 BR
$1,743
3 BR
$2,103
4 BR+
$2,680
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,743/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,825 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$21,900/yr
At $1,825/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.7% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (-0.7% YoY, +1.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Beaufort, SC is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 39.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
13,747
Median income
$61,220
Median age
32.2
Renters
38.5%
Age distribution
16.9%
38.2%
14.8%
15.2%
14.9%
Under 1816.9%
18–3438.2%
35–5414.8%
55–6415.2%
65+14.9%
Gender
52.8%
47.2%
Male52.8%
Female47.2%
Race & ethnicity
64.8%
26.2%
White64.8%
Black26.2%
Hispanic7.4%
Asian0.9%
Other0.7%
Education (25+)
25.4%
31.6%
39.6%
No HS diploma3.5%
HS diploma25.4%
Some college31.6%
Bachelor's+39.6%
Housing tenure
61.5%
38.5%
Owner61.5%
Renter38.5%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Beaufort, SC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,736 → $1,825
up 5.1%
Income
$53,653 → $61,220
up 14.1%
Population
12,899 → 13,747
up 6.6%
Renter share
43.4% → 38.5%
-4.9 pts
Bachelor's+
34.7% → 39.6%
+4.9 pts
Median age
34.9 → 32.2
-2.7 yrs

Compared with 2023, rent in Beaufort, SC has climbed by $89 per month, settling near $1,825 after starting the period at $1,736. Census figures show median household income at $61,220 today, compared with $53,653 five years earlier. Income growth outran rent by about 9.0 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 12,899 to 13,747 between 2021 and 2024, a 6.6% change. About 38.5% of households rent today, against 43.4% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 34.7% to 39.6%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Beaufort on your salary?

At $1,825/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, SC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Beaufort is $1,825/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,517/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,743/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,573/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,103/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($61,220/yr), Beaufort ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Beaufort an affordable city for renters?

Beaufort is considered moderate for renters. At $1,825/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($61,220/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Beaufort slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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 $73,000/year (~$35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,825/mo in Beaufort. The local median household income is $61,220/yr, meaning the typical Beaufort household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Beaufort?

Rent in Beaufort has decreased 0.7% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Beaufort neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Beaufort are 29906 ($1,772/mo), 29902 ($1,795/mo), and 29907 ($2,138/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Beaufort is $1,825/mo.

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

Beaufort is one of the pricier cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #20 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,825/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Beaufort?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Beaufort ($1,825/mo): Hardeeville ($1,451/mo), Port Royal ($1,569/mo).

What percentage of Beaufort residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38.5% of Beaufort households are renters, while 61.5% 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 $1,825/mo is $137 (7%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #20 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $1,825/mo, rent takes ~36% of Beaufort's median household income ($61,220/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Beaufort 36%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
Run the Beaufort affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Beaufort, SC

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