Retirement Lists

Cost of Living in Beaufort, South Carolina

Bay Street, Beaufort, South Carolina, United States.
Photo by BeaufortTiger of English Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Beaufort, South Carolina, cost of living

Can a modest base budget carry taxes, insurance, and a coastal car plan?

The current catalog estimates $2,574 for a local household, $4,356 for a couple, and $3,489 for comfortable living. Housing anchors are $614 for a one-bedroom gross-rent figure and $1,183 for a two-bedroom, with groceries at $460, transportation at $1,064, healthcare at $436, and dining at $227. Gross rent includes tenant-paid utilities, so the separate $233 utility estimate requires lease review.

Property taxes are screened at 0.53%, with median taxes of $1,839 on a median home value of $345,400. Add flood and wind coverage, cooling, car costs, parking, care, repairs, evacuation, and historic-home maintenance before comparing addresses.

Planning a monthly budget

A local monthly estimate of $2,574 gives you the starting point, with transportation taking the largest share.

Housing
$614
Utilities (in rent)
$233
Food
$460/mo
Transportation
$1,064/mo
Healthcare
$436

Utilities are included in housing so they are not added twice. The separate Utilities row is a reference estimate.

How the total can change

A traveler style stay, a couple household, and long term rent answer different planning questions.

Comfortable Living
$3,489

Very Good

Cost of Living for Couple
$4,356

Very Good

Typical 1BR Rent
$614

Excellent

Everyday expenses

Dining, transportation, taxes, and car needs can change how the monthly budget feels.

Dining Out
$227/mo

Excellent

Need for a Car
Required
Property Taxes
Low

Good

Overall Feel
Good
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
4.5%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
21.0%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
34.1%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$64,205

Could Beaufort fit your monthly retirement budget?

Compare your monthly budget with a city estimate. Add your expected housing amount when you have a more useful number.

Housing

Enter your expected rent and required housing charges, or leave this blank to use the current renter amount.

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Starting renter estimates

Use these broad monthly estimates as a starting point, then replace them with costs you know.

One person
$2,574 per month
Two people
$4,356 per month

One-person estimate breakdown

Housing
$614
Food
$460
Transportation
$1,064
Healthcare
$436

Taxes, debt, insurance, out-of-pocket care, travel, and one-time moving costs may not be included.

Beaufort in everyday life

Could Beaufort work for you?

What may work well

  • The local estimate is $2,574 and the one-bedroom gross-rent anchor is $614.
  • Property-tax inputs are available for an initial ownership comparison.
  • A historic core can keep some culture, waterfront, and library trips close together.

What to think about

  • Required-car costs, flood or wind coverage, cooling, and historic-home maintenance may exceed the base budget.
  • Gross rent includes tenant-paid utilities, so lease review is needed before adding $233.
  • High county coastal hazards make insurance and reserves central rather than optional.

Turn a Beaufort budget into a coastal home decision

  1. Create a complete monthly sheet

    Start with the catalog anchors, then add utilities, cooling, insurance, flood coverage, car, care, parking, repairs, taxes, and seasonal costs.

  2. Compare three addresses

    Price a historic-district home, a newer neighborhood, and an inland option. Include elevation, insurance, parking, groceries, care, and evacuation.

  3. Price the full car calendar

    Count hospital, pharmacy, groceries, airport, recreation, family visits, fuel, insurance, maintenance, parking, and storm travel.

  4. Keep a storm reserve

    Set aside money for roof, trees, power, evacuation, insurance changes, repairs, mobility support, and a difficult-weather month.

Questions retirees ask

What is Beaufort's local estimate?

The current catalog shows $2,574 for a local estimate, $4,356 for a couple, and $3,489 for comfortable living. Add actual tax, insurance, car, and storm costs.

Does rent include utilities?

The $614 one-bedroom and $1,183 two-bedroom figures are gross rent and include tenant-paid utilities. Check the lease before adding the separate $233 estimate.

Why is insurance important?

Beaufort County's coastal flooding and hurricane rows are High. Request flood, wind, property, and evacuation costs for the exact home.

What should owners reserve for?

Reserve for cooling, roof, trees, power, insurance, repairs, evacuation, care travel, prescriptions, historic upkeep, and a difficult storm month.

Beaufort's base budget is only the start. The dependable version includes required-car travel, coastal insurance, cooling, care, historic upkeep, and storm reserves.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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How this city research is made

Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.