| Index | Beaufort | South Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 105 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 120 | 81 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 93 | 98 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Beaufort? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Beaufort stands at 105, making it 5% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Beaufort is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
When it comes to the cost of living in Beaufort, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 20.1% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 16 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Beaufort and this is how they responded. 13% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 88% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Beaufort affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Beaufort, for instance, where the median home price falls 29.6% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 2.1% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Beaufort flaunting a median household income of $80,224, 1.4% lower than the national norm.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Beaufort, the general sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates begin at 0%.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
The Beaufort cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $105,809 | $8,817 | $2,469 | $3,175 |
| Renters | $59,983 | $4,999 | $1,400 | $1,800 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| South Carolina | 6% | 9% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| South Carolina | 0% | 6.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Burton, SC | 9,109 | 93 | 7.2% |
| Laurel Bay, SC | 6,577 | 98 | 1.7% |
| Shell Point, SC | 3,074 | 98 | 1.6% |
| Port Royal, SC | 13,654 | 110 | 9.9% |
| Bluffton, SC | 23,896 | 120 | 19.9% |
| Beaufort, SC | 13,805 | 105 | 4.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Beach Park, IL | 13,801 | 100 | 0.1% |
| Taché, MB | 13,799 | n/a | |
| Solana Beach, CA | 13,797 | 256 | 155.6% |
| Matane, QC | 13,814 | n/a | |
| Prévost, QC | 13,814 | n/a | |
| Beaufort, SC | 13,805 | 105 | 4.8% |
Here are the best places to live in South Carolina
These are the 10 cheapest cities in South Carolina
These are the largest cities in South Carolina
Check out the 10 safest cities in South Carolina