Cost of Living in Beaufort County, North Carolina
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Beaufort County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Beaufort County ranks #1,587 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 49%)
Sourced county brief
Beaufort County Official GRAPI Percentage Estimated at 30.5%
In Beaufort County, the official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 30.5%. This canonical percentage is 1.6 percentage points higher than the North Carolina unweighted county mean of 28.9%. The median gross rent for the county was $871 per month, which is $106 below the state unweighted county mean of $977. Among homeowners, the median value of owner-occupied units was $192,700, and median selected monthly owner costs were $844. These figures are below the state unweighted county means of $235,312 and $927, respectively. The median renter-household income in the county was recorded at $32,432. The report presents these statistics as a fixed record of the survey period without making any future projections or recommendations. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Beaufort County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 30.5% of renter household income in Beaufort County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $871 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $844. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $34,840 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The North Carolina unweighted mean of county median rents is $977 per month. Beaufort County's $871 median is 10.8% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Beaufort County
Rent Burden
17.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,362
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.4%
of gross income
The median home in Beaufort County may be a stretch
Median home value is $192,700. Estimated monthly cost: $1,538 vs. your max of $1,362.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Beaufort County, North Carolina?
What is the median rent in Beaufort County?
Is Beaufort County affordable?
How does Beaufort County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Beaufort County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Beaufort County, North Carolina? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Beaufort County
Whether you're buying in Beaufort County, North Carolina, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.