Beaufort County has a housing affordability problem, officials say. Here’s how much it costs
South Carolina is the fastest growing state in the U.S. in 2026. The Lowcountry is a center of growth, with nearby Hardeeville in Jasper County the fastest growing town in the nation.
Beaufort County is home to 204,433 people, according to a population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2020 census put the population at 187,117. That’s almost 20,000 people in six years. And every new resident has to find somewhere to live.
At a groundbreaking for a Bluffton affordable apartment last week, members of county and town governments said housing affordability is a major problem in Beaufort County. Beaufort County Vice Chair Anna Tabernik said the apartment is an important step toward solving housing affordability.
Here’s the breakdown on how much it costs to rent and own a home in Beaufort County:
How much does Beaufort rent cost?
A data analysis by Apartment List puts the average monthly rent for an apartment at $1,608 in May 2026. The national average is $1,379 and South Carolina’s average is $1,258, according to the analysis. In May 2025, the county average was $1,632. The data analysis does not include home rentals.
Although above average, Beaufort County rent has slightly decreased overall since 2024, when the average was above $1,700. According to the Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust, 59% of renters in Beaufort and Jasper counties pay more than 30% of their income towards rent.
According to the U.S. Census, the median household income in Beaufort County is $90,509 and 6.8% live below the poverty line. The statewide median is $72,350 with 13.3% living below the poverty line.
How about buying a home?
According to Zillow, the median sale price for a home in Beaufort County is $556,667. Home value has increased sharply since 2020.
The average home value for each Beaufort County town according to Zillow is:
- Beaufort: $416,750
- Bluffton: $500,690
- Hilton Head Island: $785,603
- Yemassee: $200,264
The national average home value in the U.S. is $370,584 and the state average is $308,062, according to Zillow. It predicts home prices will continue to rise over the next year.