Cost of Living in Beaufort, NC

With a cost of living index of 85, Beaufort, NC is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 15% cheaper than the national average and in line with the North Carolina state average. Beaufort is a small community of 4,613 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Beaufort's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $862 (35% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $319,700 (5% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.6x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Beaufort is $48,111, which is 36% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 22% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.