Beaufort, South Carolina Short-Term Rental Market
Beaufort County Lowcountry STRs averaged $352 ADR, 48.7% occupancy and $4,339 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Beaufort, South Carolina is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Hilton Head market area is 49%. average monthly revenue in the Hilton Head market area is $4,339. average daily rate in the Hilton Head market area is $352. the top operator in the Hilton Head market area is Vacasa with 710 listings. market score is 51/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the Hilton Head regional market, which includes Beaufort. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Beaufort.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers Beaufort, South Carolina using data through September 2026. Short-term rental performance is tracked at a shared submarket level that also covers Saint Helena Island, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island and Daufuskie Island, so every performance figure below describes the Beaufort County Lowcountry STR market rather than Beaufort alone. In September 2026 the average daily rate across all listings was $352, with entire homes at $353. Occupancy averaged 48.7%, and the average listing earned $4,339 for the month. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 7.8% and ADR rose 5.0%, yet monthly revenue was down 3.7%, so the revenue figure is best read alongside the other two trends. Revenue by property type shows how much the unit matters: houses averaged $5,291, entire places overall $4,355, and apartments $3,357. Across the seasonal calendar, the monthly averages add up to $54,176 in annual revenue per listing, with July the strongest month at 80.1% occupancy and December the weakest at 33.4%. Year to date, 2026 is running at 61.0% occupancy and a $391 ADR across nine months, compared with 56.6% and $371 for full year 2025. Bedroom, booking channel and listing type counts, along with the largest operators, are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Beaufort, so this profile omits them. On the housing side, the typical home value is $412,433, the median sale price is $423,683, and 479 homes were for sale as of September 30, 2026. Homes sold at about 87.8% of list price on average, and the median time to pending was 64 days. Buyers entering this market should weigh that price level against the seasonal revenue range described in the sections below.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 38% |
| Feb | 61% |
| Mar | 70% |
| Apr | 64% |
| May | 63% |
| Jun | 79% |
| Jul | 80% |
| Aug | 59% |
| Sep | 51% |
| Oct | 52% |
| Nov | 37% |
| Dec | 33% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Beaufort are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Hilton Head market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Hilton Head market as a whole, which includes Beaufort, so these counts are not Beaufort-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 710 | 29,602 | ★ 4.50 |
| 2 | LSI Vacation Rental SC | 582 | 14,605 | ★ 4.63 |
| 3 | VacayHome Connect | 480 | 96 | ★ 4.60 |
| 4 | Beach Properties of Hilton Head | 430 | 3,630 | ★ 4.65 |
| 5 | The Vacation Company | 385 | 9,052 | ★ 4.82 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Beaufort?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Beaufort are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 11.1% |
| vrbo | 20.9% |
| both | 68% |
Home Value Trends (Beaufort)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Beaufort are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Beaufort — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
The short-term rental research on file for this shared market covers the Town of Hilton Head Island, so the rules below are that town’s rules. Beaufort and the other communities in the market set their own rules, and buyers should confirm requirements for any specific Beaufort property with the local jurisdiction before purchasing. Under the Hilton Head Island program, short-term rentals are permitted and a permit is required for any residential rental under 30 consecutive days. The permit is a Town of Hilton Head Island Short-Term Rental Permit, renewed annually, plus a Town Business License. As of May 1, 2026 the permit costs $150 per bedroom per year, up from a flat $250, and permits run May 1 to April 30, are non-transferable, and must be in an individual’s name rather than a corporate entity. There is no cap on rental nights, and neither owner occupancy nor primary residence is required. The town does not apply zoning restrictions across residential areas, though HOAs may impose their own, and HOA properties must provide written authorization before a permit is issued. Operators need a local agent reachable around the clock who can be on site within one hour. Total lodging tax is approximately 11% of gross receipts. Enforcement is rated strict, and the town moved to a proactive model with six dedicated full-time staff. Changes effective May 1, 2026 also require permit numbers in all advertisements and fire safety systems for larger properties.
Market Comparison
The Beaufort County Lowcountry STR market shows a clear seasonal split. September 2026 occupancy was 48.7% at a $352 ADR. Year to date, 2026 occupancy is 61.0% with a $391 ADR. The summer months of June and July reach 78.5% and 80.1% occupancy, while the winter months fall to 33.4% in December, 37.3% in November and 37.5% in January. Compared with September a year earlier, occupancy is up 7.8% and ADR is up 5.0%. Tracking of bedroom mix and top operators is shared at a regional level rather than uniquely for Beaufort, so this profile omits those comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beaufort, South Carolina
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What is the occupancy rate for short-term rentals in Beaufort, SC?
How much does a Beaufort short-term rental earn per month?
What is the best time of year for Beaufort short-term rentals?
How far in advance do guests book, and how long do they stay?
How much does a home cost in the Beaufort area?
Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental here?
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