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Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC

Cost of living in Beaufort County, SC

Part of the Hilton Head Island Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,666/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 192,123 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,646 45%
Federal tax $488 13%
Healthcare $480 13%
Transport $320 9%
Groceries $318 9%
Energy $204 6%
State tax $155 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Beaufort County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,584
per month
1 bedroom
$1,646
per month
2 bedroom
$1,822
per month
3 bedroom
$2,195
per month
4 bedroom
$2,803
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Beaufort County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$84,819
per year
Individual earnings
$39,883
per year
Per capita
$51,657
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Beaufort County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$407,600
Annual property tax
$2,022

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Beaufort County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$168
per month · 15.3¢/kWh
Natural gas
$36
per month
Annual total
$2,448
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Beaufort County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Beaufort County

State and local tax rates for South Carolina.

State income tax
6.4%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
7.4%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Beaufort County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.9 min
Drive alone
75.0%
Public transit
0.7%
Work from home
11.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Beaufort County

What it costs to live in Beaufort County each month.

Single person
$3,666
per month
  • Rent $1,646
  • Energy $204
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $318
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $488
  • State tax $155
Couple
$5,396
per month
  • Rent $1,822
  • Energy $245
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $527
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,058
  • State tax $395
Family
$7,899
per month
  • Rent $2,195
  • Energy $306
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $800
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,058
  • State tax $395

Frequently asked questions about Beaufort County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Beaufort County?

In Beaufort County, SC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,646 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,822 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,195 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Beaufort County?

In Beaufort County, SC, the average household income is $84,819 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $39,883 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Beaufort County?

The estimated cost of living in Beaufort County, SC is approximately $3,666 per month for a single person, $5,396 for a couple, $7,899 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Beaufort County?

The combined sales tax rate in Beaufort County, SC is 7.44%, which includes the South Carolina state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 1.44%.

Is Beaufort County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Beaufort County, SC would need approximately $3,666 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $84,819 per year ($7,068 per month). Beaufort County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Beaufort County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Beaufort County, SC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Beaufort County?

The average home value in Beaufort County, SC is $407,600, with average annual property taxes of $2,022, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Beaufort County compare to other areas?

You can compare Beaufort County, SC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Beaufort County is in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro area.

Other counties in South Carolina

Browse the full list of counties in South Carolina, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in South Carolina

Compare Beaufort County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources