What to Know About Beaufort, NC, Real Estate

Pirates used the Outer Banks’ shifting sands and bountiful inlets a century ago to run from the law and hide their treasures. The names included Blackbeard, perhaps the most notorious pirate of them all. 

The only masted ships you’ll see plying the waters around Beaufort, North Carolina, today are more likely to be sailboats sprinkled between pleasure craft and fishing vessels. That’s because this charming coastal town is a thoroughly modern fishing village. It blends Southern charm and coastal beauty, which may be why Southern Living ranked it among America’s best small towns.

Perhaps Beaufort, NC, is on your list as a possible place to live? In that case, our overview of Beaufort will jumpstart your research. Get to know Beaufort, NC, through its history, cost of living, housing prices, golf courses, and things to do.

About Beaufort, NC

Once known as “Hungry Town” and “Fish Town,” Beaufort was founded over 300 years ago. North Carolina’s third oldest town is central on the Crystal Coast, sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout. 

The surrounding waters make Beaufort a popular destination for boaters, fishermen, and beach lovers. The beautiful landscape inspired scenes for “A Walk to Remember” by Nicholas Sparks and feature film. USA Today, Travel + Leisure, and Yachting Magazine have featured it among their top small or oceanfront towns.

And yes, there is a Beaufort, SC, that also happens to be a coastal town. But these two villages are separated by roughly 375 miles and different pronunciations. Here, it’s said “Bow-fort.”

Beaufort cost of living

Waterfront living–especially oceanfront–is typically seen as more expensive. While Beaufort has ample waterfront, it’s not directly on the Atlantic, which may be why its cost of living is below the national average instead of outrageously high. It probably also helps that Beaufort is far from North Carolina’s major cities, making the lowlands rural. 

Beaufort’s living index of 95 shows it is relatively affordable compared to other coastal areas. Housing costs and property taxes tend to be the primary influencers on the overall cost of living. Here, they run 4% under the national indexed rate, even if they are 12% higher than the state index.

Residents’ living costs are higher for groceries, health care, and miscellaneous expenses (items like eating out, child care, or movie tickets). But there are savings realized in utilities and transportation. 

Your actual cost of living will really depend on your lifestyle. Buying a home closer to the waterfront will be more expensive than one inland. Living downtown has a more walkable lifestyle, so you’d spend less on transportation. It’s all a give-and-take.

Beaufort housing prices

This is a centuries-old fishing town, so you’ll have diverse real estate options here in Beaufort. Residents live in houseboats and yachts at marinas, quiet townhomes, historic downtown homes, and modern waterfront developments. Live on an island or in coastal plains. About the only thing you won’t find are wall-to-wall luxury high-rise condominiums, although there are a few.

Real estate’s always in flux, but to give you an idea of the housing market in Beaufort, the median home price in July 2023 was $490,000. There were 250 homes listed, ranging from $15,000 to $7.5 million. However, it’s advisable to consult a local real estate agent for the most up-to-date information.

Condos and townhomes

Beaufort does have a selection of low-maintenance and maintenance-free condo and townhome properties. July 2023 had 13 listings in this category ranging in price from $280,000 to $785,000. Many available properties were of newer construction from about 1980 onward. You can find units with waterfront views or direct access. Some communities had a private marina or dock for resident boats.

Waterfront living

Nearly half of the available listings in July 2023 had “waterfront” as a feature. This is a waterfront fishing town, after all. Plus, Beaufort is on a peninsula, which increases your waterfront choices. Face Harlowe, Gallent, Taylor Creek, or Davis Bay. The Taylor Creek side faces the islands in the Rachel Carson Reserve. 

Property taxes

Beaufort is the county seat for Carteret County, which in the 2022-2023 tax year had a countywide rate of $33 per every $100 of property valuation. The city of Beaufort charged an additional $0.46, the rescue district $0.06, and the fire district levied $0.10 per $100.

Beaufort golf courses

If you’re a golf enthusiast, Beaufort has about three near-town options for you to enjoy the sport, plus a few more fairways sprinkled across the county. 

The Beaufort Club is popular, featuring a semi-private 18-hole championship golf course surrounded by postcard-perfect coastal landscapes. Bob Moore designed the course, which has been listed among North Carolina’s best.

Additionally, the Country Club of the Crystal Coast in nearby Pine Knoll Shores is a second beautiful golf course with various amenities.

Golf course living

The Beaufort Club doesn’t just have incredible golf; the newer homes are minutes from downtown Beaufort. One community, The Cove, has 48 homesites overlooking the golf course. Vacant lots were still available in 2023, so you have a chance to add custom features to a new construction home.

Is Beaufort, NC growing?

Part of Beaufort’s charm is the small size. About 4,500 people called it home in 2021, a number that has been relatively stable for three decades. But it attracts many visitors, so the town can feel bigger than it is, especially on weekends during the high season. 

Things to do in Beaufort

All cities and towns have a few attractions that exemplify what makes them unique. In Beaufort, that’s the historic waterfront and coastal lifestyle. Popular activities in the town include:

The North Carolina Maritime Museum showcases the rich maritime history through exhibits and artifacts. See artifacts salvaged from Blackbeard’s famous ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, and learn more about shipwrecks, pirates, and the local fishing industry.

Take a boat ride to the Rachel Carson Reserve, a protected area encompassing several islands. This natural reserve is perfect for a quiet day casting for saltwater fish, birdwatching the native and migratory waterfowl, and enjoying the unspoiled beauty of the coastline. Another option is to jump on the ferry to the nearby Shackleford Banks. A herd of wild horses roam free on the island.

Finally, wander the downtown historic district on Front Street, known for its 18th and 18th century well-preserved homes and buildings. Two places to check out: the Beaufort Historic Site and Old Burying Ground. The cemetery has a self-guided walking tour and dates to the town’s earliest years.

Beaufort is also a great jumping-off point for exploring the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” through scuba diving and snorkeling. Five shipwrecks are within easy reach. But if boating is more your style, cruise through the ICW or fish for bass in the Neuse River.

What areas are near Beaufort, NC?

The Outer Banks attract people looking for an unspoiled beachfront and a more rural coastal lifestyle. As a central city, Beaufort is close to a few more visited areas in the Outer Banks, increasing your things to do and places to explore. 

It’s just a few miles from Morehead City, home of the North Carolina Aquarium. Morehead City is another port town and draws attention for its North Carolina Seafood Festival and the Blue Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. 

You have to drive through Morehead City to reach Atlantic Beach, a resort town that’s appeared as an “America’s Best Beach” in Coastal Magazine. People come to play in the sand and surf, fish from the famous piers, and check out Fort Macon State Park. 

Travel south by boat or ferry to the wild beauty of Cape Lookout National Seashore, the southernmost point of the Outer Banks. The 56 miles of sandy seashore are only accessible by boat; its iconic Diamond Lady Lighthouse has warned sailors of the dangers for over a century. 

Other nearby towns include historic New Bern, north along the Neuse River. Along the way is Havelock and MCAS Cherry Point, a vital post for the US Marines that use it for air training and support. 

But on the whole, this is a more rural region of North Carolina.

What to know about Beaufort, NC

This is a coastal town, so you must be ready for hurricane season. Beaufort may not be directly oceanfront, but that doesn’t mean the town is exempt from storm surges or high wind damage. Have a plan, and be prepared to evacuate if you live coastal.

Something else Beaufort is known for is its arts scene and outdoor activities, but you won’t miss it when you see the studios along Front Street. The May Music Festival opens the summer season with a two-day classic small-town festival, and the September Pirate Invasion closes the summer season. The re-enactment of pirates sailing the coastal waters is a fun spectacle to participate in.

Residents also love the Olde Beaufort Farmers Market held every Saturday morning from April to November in Courthouse Square. Pick up fresh produce and browse handmade arts and crafts from local vendors.

Moving to Beaufort, NC

It’s not often you can find affordable and uncrowded coastal real estate, but the Outer Banks proves it is possible. Particularly Beaufort, where you gain the winning combination of small town living with a waterfront lifestyle. So why not make Beaufort, NC, your personal paradise, whether full-time or part-time? Explore its charms with a local real estate agent.