Is Beaufort Safe, Pros and cons of living in Beaufort

Is it Safe to Live in Beaufort?

Beaufort, South Carolina, presents a complex picture regarding safety, with crime rates significantly higher than national averages in some categories. The city experiences a crime rate of 48.06 per 1,000 residents, which is substantially higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Your likelihood of being a victim of crime varies by neighborhood, with eastern areas posing a greater risk than western ones (as reported by AreaVibes).

Beaufort ranks in the 11th percentile for safety, indicating it is safer than only 11% of U.S. cities (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crime is a notable concern, with 3573 incidents per 100,000 people, placing it among the worst 10% of American cities for these offenses (as reported by AreaVibes). This translates to a 1 in 28 chance of being a victim of property crime, far exceeding the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Violent crime rates are also elevated, with 696 incidents per 100,000 people, a figure 93.8% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Crime Statistics Overview

Beaufort has a crime rate that is 101.45% higher than the national average, with an overall crime rate of 4269 per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). This statistic means that the city has one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation (as reported by AreaVibes). While these figures are concerning, it’s important to note that crime can vary significantly by neighborhood, and some areas are considerably safer than others (as reported by AreaVibes).

The total projected cost of crime in Beaufort for 2025 is estimated at $13,533,054, equating to approximately $642 per resident (as reported by AreaVibes). These tangible costs include those associated with the criminal justice system, direct costs to victims, and lost economic contributions from offenders (as reported by AreaVibes). When intangible costs are factored in, the total estimated cost of crime rises to over $42 million, or approximately $2,014 per resident (as reported by AreaVibes).

Cost of Living and Housing Market

The cost of living in Beaufort, SC, is generally lower than the national average, making it an attractive option for those seeking affordability. Overall, the cost of living is approximately 3% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). Housing expenses are particularly favorable, being about 16% less expensive than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com).

However, certain everyday expenses can be higher. Groceries in Beaufort are approximately 17.5% more expensive than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). Utilities also tend to be pricier, costing about 7.3% more than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). Transportation costs are slightly higher as well, by about 1.8% (as reported by Apartments.com).

Housing Costs

The median home price in Beaufort was $488,000 in March 2026, a decrease of 9.09% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes typically sell after 43 days on the market, which is faster than the 77 days reported last year (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price per square foot is $245, down 15.2% from the previous year (as reported by Redfin).

For renters, the average rent in Beaufort is approximately $1,724 per month as of April 2026 (as reported by RentCafe). This represents a slight increase of 0.72% compared to the previous year (as reported by RentCafe). One-bedroom apartments average $1,582, while two-bedroom units are priced at $1,727 (as reported by RentCafe).

Job Market and Economy

Beaufort’s economy is experiencing growth, with employment in the city increasing by 1.13% from 2023 to 2024, reaching approximately 6,416 employees (as reported by Data USA). The most common employment sectors for residents include Retail Trade, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Administrative & Support Services (as reported by Data USA). Management Occupations, Office & Administrative Support Occupations, and Sales & Related Occupations are the most prevalent job groups (as reported by Data USA).

The unemployment rate in Beaufort County was 5.2% in January 2026, marking a 1.2 percentage point increase from the previous year (as reported by USAFacts). While this indicates some challenges in the job market, Beaufort County’s unemployment rate ranked 38th out of 46 counties in South Carolina in January 2026, suggesting it is not among the highest in the state (as reported by USAFacts). Major employers in the area include the Department of Defense, Beaufort County School District, and Beaufort Memorial Hospital, reflecting a diverse economic base (as reported by Livability.com).

Major Employers

Key employers in Beaufort, SC, include a mix of public sector, healthcare, and retail entities. The Department of Defense is a significant employer, largely due to the presence of military bases in the vicinity (as reported by Livability.com). Beaufort Memorial Hospital, a 197-bed non-profit facility, is another major employer and a vital healthcare provider in the region (as reported by Beaufort.com). Other substantial employers include the Beaufort County School District, Walmart, and Hargray Communications Group Inc. (as reported by Livability.com).

The military presence historically dominated the job market, but sectors like agriculture, aquaculture, local government, and retail have also become important contributors to employment (as reported by Livability.com). The Technical College of the Lowcountry also plays a role in the local economy by providing career training and academic programs (as reported by Zippia).

Climate and Weather Patterns

Beaufort, South Carolina, experiences a warm, humid subtropical climate characterized by mild winters and hot summers (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The average annual temperature ranges from a low of around 40°F in January to a high of approximately 91°F in July (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Snowfall is virtually nonexistent, with no annual accumulation (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Precipitation is a significant factor, with an average annual rainfall of about 47 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). August typically sees the most rainfall, while February is generally drier (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Summers can be muggy due to high humidity levels, particularly in June and September (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Average Temperatures and Rainfall

Throughout the year, average temperatures in Beaufort fluctuate considerably. January sees average lows around 40°F, while July experiences average highs reaching up to 91°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). During the summer months, temperatures can feel quite hot and humid, with dew points often exceeding 70°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Beaufort receives an average of 47 inches of precipitation annually (as reported by myPerfectWeather). August is the wettest month, with an average of 6 inches of rain, and the number of rainy days can extend to 21.8 days during this month (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Conversely, February is one of the drier months, with rainfall around 0.87 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and School Ratings

The educational landscape in Beaufort County is generally strong, with a significant percentage of schools receiving positive ratings. According to the South Carolina Department of Education, 91% of Beaufort County School District (BCSD) schools are rated as excellent, good, or average (as reported by SC Department of Education). This reflects a commitment to academic achievement and student progress within the district.

Several schools have earned top ratings, with Bluffton High School achieving an “Excellent” rating for the fifth consecutive year (as reported by SC Department of Education). Okatie Elementary School has also received the “Excellent” designation for four consecutive years (as reported by SC Department of Education). These accolades highlight the consistent quality of education provided in certain BCSD schools.

School Performance

Beaufort County School District (BCSD) schools show strong performance indicators, with 53% earning “Good” or “Excellent” ratings in the 2023-24 school year, an improvement from the previous year (as reported by The Island Packet). Notably, eight out of nine BCSD middle schools improved their ratings or maintained their standing (as reported by The Island Packet). For the first time since 2018, no BCSD school received an “unsatisfactory” ranking (as reported by The Island Packet).

In terms of standardized testing, BCSD students have shown improvement, outperforming the state average in both English Language Arts and Mathematics on the SC READY assessment (as reported by The Island Packet). The district’s graduation rate for the class of 2023 reached a record 88.6%, with 82.8% of high school seniors being deemed college or career-ready (as reported by The Island Packet).

Demographics and Population

Beaufort, South Carolina, is home to an estimated population of 13,747 residents, showing a slight increase from the 2020 Census (as reported by Census Dots). The population is diverse, with White residents making up approximately 62.6%, followed by African Americans at 26.0% (as reported by Census Dots). Hispanic residents constitute about 7.4% of the population, with smaller percentages identifying as Multiracial, Asian, or Native American/Other (as reported by Census Dots).

The median age in Beaufort is 32 years, with a notable portion of the population in the younger adult age brackets (as reported by Point2Homes). This demographic composition suggests a relatively young and active community. The gender distribution is fairly balanced, with males comprising 52.8% and females 47.2% of the population (as reported by Point2Homes).

Population Characteristics

The racial makeup of Beaufort reflects a blend of White and African American residents, with White individuals comprising 62.6% and African Americans 26.0% of the population (as reported by Census Dots). This demographic is comparable to the state’s overall racial distribution (as reported by Census Dots). Beaufort is considered less diverse than South Carolina as a whole (as reported by Census Dots).

The population includes a high percentage of U.S.-born citizens, at 95.7%, with a smaller portion being naturalized citizens and an even smaller percentage of non-citizens (as reported by Point2Homes). The household structure in Beaufort consists of an average of 2 members per household, with a majority of households being families (as reported by Point2Homes). This indicates a community with a significant presence of family units.