How much does it cost to rent in Beaufort, SC?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Beaufort, SC is $1,800. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Beaufort cheaper than other South Carolina cities?

Beaufort is one of the pricier cities in South Carolina, ranking #23 out of 67 cities tracked at $1,800/mo.

When was Beaufort rent data last updated?

Beaufort rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Beaufort a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Beaufort is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (down 1.6% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · SC

Beaufort

Name: Average Rent Prices in Beaufort, SC
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 13,747·23rd most expensive in South Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Beaufort, SC

Median rent (all units)

$1,800/mo

Year-over-Year

-1.6%

Month-over-Month

-1.3%

vs US Median

-$165

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Beaufort · $1,800

More affordable than 54% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

61/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% below what Beaufort's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,800/mo

Expected by trend

$1,906/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

Research median

$1,743/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$21,600/yr

At $1,800/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 1.6% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-1.6% YoY, -1.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

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 → $1,800

up 3.7%

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 $64 per month, settling near $1,800 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 10.4 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

Discussions about Beaufort

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View Beaufort rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Beaufort on your salary?

At $1,800/mo, how Beaufort rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $83,142/yr · Rent = 26% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $59,030/yr · Rent = 36.6% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $67,998/yr · Rent = 31.8% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $121,537/yr · Rent = 17.8% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $155,294/yr · Rent = 13.9% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $55,273/yr · Rent = 39.1% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $49,905/yr · Rent = 43.3% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $61,512/yr · Rent = 35.1% income

stretched

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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Beaufort is $1,800/mo as of July 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 35% of local median household income ($61,220/yr), Beaufort ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Beaufort an affordable city for renters?

Beaufort is considered moderate for renters. At $1,800/mo, rent takes approximately 35% 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 $72,000/year (~$35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,800/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 1.6% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Beaufort neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Beaufort are 29902 ($1,747/mo), 29906 ($1,777/mo), and 29907 ($2,097/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Beaufort is $1,800/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 #23 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,800/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Beaufort?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Beaufort ($1,800/mo): Hardeeville ($1,499/mo), Port Royal ($1,505/mo), Port Wentworth ($1,793/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 $1,800/mo is $165 (8%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #23 out of 67 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

35%

MODERATE

At $1,800/mo, rent takes ~35% of Beaufort's median household income ($61,220/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Beaufort 35%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3–6.2%

Run the Beaufort affordability calculator →

Nearby cities