What are the schools like in Beaufort, SC?

Beaufort is served primarily by Beaufort 01. The district operates 20 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 6 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.2:1.

What is the median household income in Beaufort?

The median household income in Beaufort, SC is $60,366 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 4.0%.

What is the weather like in Beaufort, SC?

Beaufort has an average high temperature of 60.3°F in January and 91.8°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 45.0 inches.

Beaufort, SC Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Beaufort, SC affordable or expensive?

Beaufort's cost of living index is 96, where 100 represents the national average. This means Beaufort is 4% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $312,900 and the median rent is $1,016 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Beaufort, SC?

Beaufort has a violent crime rate of 696.0 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 3573.2 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Beaufort, SC a Good Place to Live?

Beaufort is a small city of 13,582 in South Carolina, with a median household income of $60,366 and a 4.0% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 96 (US average = 100), which is 4% below the national average.

Strengths: Beaufort stands out for an affordable cost of living, solid school ratings (A-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index. Whether Beaufort is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Beaufort city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 95.7

Beaufort's overall cost of living index is 95.7, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Beaufort costs roughly 4% less than the average American city.

Metric	Beaufort, SC	National Avg
Median Home Value	$312,900	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,016	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	57.3%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$60,366	$74,755

Crime & Safety

High Crime

Beaufort's violent crime rate is 696.0 per 100,000 residents — 83% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

696.0 /100k

Property Crime

3573.2 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Beaufort is served primarily by Beaufort 01. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.2:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Beaufort, SC	National Avg
School District	Beaufort 01	—
Elementary Schools	20	—
Middle Schools	6	—
High Schools	6	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.2:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	35.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	94.5%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Beaufort sees average highs of 60.3°F in January and 91.8°F in July, with 45.0 inches of annual precipitation .

Metric	Beaufort, SC
Average High — January	60.3°F
Average High — July	91.8°F
Annual Precipitation	45.0"
Annual Snowfall	Trace / None

Demographics

Metric	Beaufort, SC	National Avg
Population	13,582	—
Median Age	33.1	38.9
Unemployment Rate	4.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	18.0 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	63.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	28.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	3.5%	18.9%
Asian	0.7%	6.3%
Under 18	21.0%	22.2%
65 and over	14.8%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Burton, SC 3 mi Laurel Bay, SC 4 mi Seabrook, SC 6 mi Shell Point, SC 6 mi Lobeco, SC 6 mi

ZIP Codes in Beaufort

Beaufort, SC is covered by 4 ZIP codes:

29906 29904 29907 29941

Beaufort vs Other Cities

Beaufort, SC vs Burton, SC Beaufort, SC vs Laurel Bay, SC Beaufort, SC vs Seabrook, SC Beaufort, SC vs Shell Point, SC Beaufort, SC vs Lobeco, SC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beaufort, SC affordable or expensive?

Beaufort's cost of living index is 96, where 100 is the national average. That makes Beaufort roughly 4% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $312,900 and median rent is $1,016/month.

What is the crime rate in Beaufort, SC?

Beaufort's violent crime rate is 696.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3573.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Beaufort?

Public schools in Beaufort are operated by Beaufort 01. The district has 20 elementary, 6 middle, and 6 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.2:1. 35.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Beaufort, SC a good place to live?

Beaufort, SC has a population of 13,582, a median household income of $60,366, and an unemployment rate of 4.0%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Beaufort?

Beaufort averages 60.3°F in January and 91.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.0 inches . Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Beaufort?

Beaufort, SC is covered by 4 ZIP codes: 29906, 29904, 29907, 29941.

What is the population of Beaufort?

The population of Beaufort, South Carolina is 13,582 with a median age of 33.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Beaufort?

Key numbers for living in Beaufort: cost of living index 96 (100 = US average), median home $312,900, median household income $60,366, crime index 178 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Beaufort side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.