Beaufort

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Beaufort, SC

Area Guide

Beaufort, South Carolina's second-oldest city, combines coastal living with historic charm along the state's Lowcountry. This waterfront community features preserved antebellum architecture and Spanish moss-draped streets that have appeared in films like "Forrest Gump" and "The Big Chill." The rental market remains steady, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,481 monthly, showing a 1.4% increase over the past year.

Downtown Beaufort's walkable streets feature independent shops, galleries, and restaurants overlooking the water. The Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park hosts community gatherings throughout the year, including the popular Beaufort Shrimp Festival. The historic Point neighborhood showcases preserved antebellum homes, while Lady's Island offers contemporary residential options with water views.

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and Parris Island contribute to the city's population of approximately 13,600 residents. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound at Hunting Island State Park, while the Reconstruction Era National Monument preserves important historical sites. The University of South Carolina Beaufort's Center for the Arts and downtown galleries contribute to the city's cultural landscape.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Beaufort, SC is $1,079 for a studio, $1,406 for one bedroom, $1,670 for two bedrooms, and $1,845 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Beaufort has decreased by -4.2% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,406/month
697 Sq Ft
House
$2,339/month
1,556 Sq Ft
Condo
$2,300/month
1,276 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,375/month
1,114 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Beaufort, SC

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Beaufort, SC is 2.7% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Beaufort is 16.2% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,079 - $1,845. You can expect to pay 17.0% more for groceries, 7.3% more for utilities, and 1.7% more for transportation.

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Transportation

33

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

44

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Coosa Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

461 Students

Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

427 Students

Lady's Island Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

227 Students

Robert Smalls Leadership Academy

Public

Grades PK-8

685 Students

Beaufort Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

357 Students

Beaufort Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

384 Students

Robert Smalls Leadership Academy

Public

Grades PK-8

685 Students

Lady's Island Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

434 Students

Beaufort High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,191 Students

Battery Creek High

Public

Grades 9-12

788 Students

Points of Interest

Top Apartments in Beaufort

Houses for Rent in Beaufort

Property Management Companies in Beaufort, SC

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.