Retiring in Beaufort, South Carolina

Overview

Lowcountry charm on the water, smaller and quieter than Charleston or Hilton Head.

Home Price

Homes in Beaufort typically range from $396k to $712k.

Source: Zillow Home Value Index. Estimates only — verify current pricing before making decisions.

Cost of Living

Beaufort's cost of living index is 96.0 compared to a U.S. national average of 100.

Climate

Average summer highs around 88°F and winter daytime temperatures around 62°F, with high humidity and a “Four seasons” seasonal pattern.

Geography & Landscape

Healthcare

Healthcare access and quality index: 71/100 (HomeAfterWork healthcare index — County Health Rankings + CMS Care Compare, local-adjusted from the U.S. national baseline).

Safety & Stability

Beaufort scores a safety index of 42.0/100 and a political stability score of 4.2/10, based on sourced crime and stability data.

Airport Access

About 66 minutes to the nearest major airport we could confirm. *Estimated drive time (straight-line distance) — not real routing data. Worth checking directly.

Lifestyle & Activities

Outdoor activities:

• Boating / kayaking
• Fishing
• Tennis / racquet sports
• Gardening
• Nature / bird watching

Culture & lifestyle:

• Food culture
• Museums

Things to Consider

• Limited nightlife
• Hurricane exposure