Abbeville, SC vs Beaufort, SC

The cost of living difference between Abbeville, SC and Beaufort, SC is dramatic. Abbeville is 35.3% cheaper than Beaufort, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Abbeville has a cost index of 59 while Beaufort sits at 91, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Abbeville is $575/month compared to $1,061/month in Beaufort — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Abbeville is more affordable at $108,500 median vs $310,400.

Median household income in Abbeville is $38,983 compared to $59,454 in Beaufort (-34.4%). The higher salaries in Beaufort partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Abbeville spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, less than the 21.4% in Beaufort.

Climate-wise, Beaufort is notably warmer with an average of 67.2°F compared to 61.1°F in Abbeville. Beaufort receives more rainfall at 45" per year compared to 42" in Abbeville.