Sullivan’s Island Tops List of America’s Most Expensive Island Communities

Merriam-Webster defines a community as "the people with common interests living in a particular area." Islands are one of the best settings for a community as the close-knit neighborhoods and towns form close bonds. The lure of island living is strong, and I took a closer look at the nicest island communities in the U.S.

One of my favorite TV shows is a British-French gem titled "Death in Paradise." I mention it as it's set on the fictional island of Saint-Marie in the Caribbean with an island community I want to be part of. The island's residents are so close they could be considered more of a family than neighbors. It's that type of community I long for and wish I lived in. The food, the music, and the people bring Saint-Marie to life. I'd love to move there.

For me, the best island community is one where residents are friendly, don't intrude, and are always there to lend a helping hand when you need it. Seafood is abundant, fresh produce grows well in the soil, and everything you could ask for for services and shops are close by. Where in the U.S. could a person find this kind of island community? Where can you go to live where townspeople are close and life is idyllic?

Join me as I look at the nicest island towns, the communities that make them so enjoyable, and how much a home costs. (Any island town comes with hazards, and hurricanes are one of the biggest possibilities. Learn more about staying safe by reading "10 Hurricane Survival Tips Everyone Needs to Know.")

To determine the nicest island communities to live, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year data on median home value from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 American Community Survey. Cities, towns, boroughs, villages, and Census-designated places located on islands were ranked based on median home value for all owner-occupied housing units. Island status was determined using Census TIGER/Line place boundary definitions for 2022 and shapefile data from the Global Island Explorer database developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in partnership with Esri.

50. Clinton, Washington

Median home value: $609,100
Median household income: $69,570
Total population: 1,165
Area: Whidbey Island

49. Newport, Rhode Island

Median home value: $622,800
Median household income: $81,330
Total population: 25,087
Area: Aquidneck Island

48. Layton, Florida

Median home value: $625,000
Median household income: $63,542
Total population: 144
Area: Long Key

47. Long Beach, New York

Median home value: $631,300
Median household income: $125,974
Total population: 34,734
Area: Long Beach

46. Marathon, Florida

Median home value: $644,600
Median household income: $70,313
Total population: 9,789
Area: Vaca Key & Boot Key

45. Folly Beach, South Carolina

Median home value: $652,800
Median household income: $88,424
Total population: 1,020
Area: Folly Island

44. Langley, Washington

Median home value: $659,200
Median household income: $72,379
Total population: 1,076
Area: Whidbey Island

43. Holmes Beach, Florida

Median home value: $662,900
Median household income: $94,545
Total population: 3,076
Area: Longboat Key & Anna Maria

42. Tierra Verde, Florida

Median home value: $666,100
Median household income: $143,913
Total population: 4,072
Area: Mullet Key

41. Cudjoe Key, Florida

Median home value: $667,800
Median household income: $95,086
Total population: 2,238
Area: Cudjoe Key

40. Vashon, Washington

Median home value: $675,000
Median household income: $103,222
Total population: 10,939
Area: Vashon Island

39. Lido Beach, New York

Median home value: $726,100
Median household income: $172,857
Total population: 2,615
Area: Long Beach

38. New York, New York

Median home value: $732,100
Median household income: $76,607
Total population: 8,622,467
Area: New York City

37. Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts

Median home value: $733,900
Median household income: $65,313
Total population: 2,367
Area: Martha's Vineyard

36. Seabrook Island, South Carolina

Median home value: $757,900
Median household income: $117,386
Total population: 2,062
Area: John's Island

35. Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts

Median home value: $783,700
Median household income: $57,212
Total population: 1,521
Area: Martha's Vineyard

34. South Beach, Florida

Median home value: $813,500
Median household income: $193,281
Total population: 3,120
Area: North Hutchinson Island

33. Key West, Florida

Median home value: $814,200
Median household income: $80,828
Total population: 26,078
Area: Key West

32. East Atlantic Beach, New York

Median home value: $817,300
Median household income: $142,757
Total population: 1,767
Area: Long Beach

31. Key Colony Beach, Florida

Median home value: $828,800
Median household income: $103,096
Total population: 650
Area: Vaca Key & Boot Key

30. Islamorada, Village of Islands, Florida

Median home value: $840,600
Median household income: $93,750
Total population: 7,044
Area: Lower Matecumbe Key

29. Sanibel, Florida

Median home value: $844,500
Median household income: $111,683
Total population: 6,420
Area: Sanibel Island

28. Ship Bottom, New Jersey

Median home value: $850,900
Median household income: $95,208
Total population: 995
Area: Long Beach Island

27. Roche Harbor, Washington

Median home value: $858,100
Median household income: $84,688
Total population: 753
Area: San Juan Island

26. Atlantic Beach, New York

Median home value: $859,600
Median household income: $156,795
Total population: 1,321
Area: Long Beach Island

25. Point Lookout, New York

Median home value: $876,200
Median household income: $104,386
Total population: 1,110
Area: Long Beach Island

24. Surf City, New Jersey

Median home value: $884,000
Median household income: $110,750
Total population: 1,325
Area: Long Beach Island

23. Fox Island, Washington

Median home value: $903,800
Median household income: $157,566
Total population: 3,644
Area: Fox Island

22. Longboat Key, Florida

Median home value: $909,700
Median household income: $141,250
Total population: 7,479
Area: Longboat Key & Anna Maria

21. Barnegat Light, New Jersey

Median home value: $921,900
Median household income: $93,958
Total population: 435
Area: Long Beach Island

20. Shelter Island, New York

Median home value: $940,300
Median household income: $98,902
Total population: 2,564
Area: Shelter Island

19. North Beach Haven, New Jersey

Median home value: $960,300
Median household income: $104,183
Total population: 2,250
Area: Long Beach Island

18. Shelter Island Heights, New York

Median home value: $967,200
Median household income: $81,463
Total population: 1,056
Area: Shelter Island

17. Avalon, California

Median home value: $978,100
Median household income: $89,131
Total population: 3,441
Area: Santa Catalina Island

16. Bainbridge Island, Washington

Median home value: $985,400
Median household income: $151,290
Total population: 24,681
Area: Bainbridge Island

15. Indian River Shores, Florida

Median home value: $991,300
Median household income: $153,242
Total population: 4,266
Area: North Hutchinson Island

14. Anna Maria, Florida

Median home value: $1,022,700
Median household income: $93,478
Total population: 825
Area: Longboat Key & Anna Maria

13. Duck Key, Florida

Median home value: $1,052,700
Median household income: $124,063
Total population: 731
Area: Duck Key

12. Isle of Palms, South Carolina

Median home value: $1,065,500
Median household income: $160,417
Total population: 4,347
Area: Isle of Palms

11. Beach Haven, New Jersey

Median home value: $1,109,400
Median household income: $110,815
Total population: 1,061
Area: Long Beach Island

10. Harvey Cedars, New Jersey

Median home value: $1,138,200
Median household income: $125,313
Total population: 479
Area: Long Beach Island

9. Seconsett Island, Massachusetts

Median home value: $1,171,900
Median household income: N/A
Total population: 137
Area: Cape Cod

8. Nantucket, Massachusetts

Median home value: $1,182,100
Median household income: $131,736
Total population: 10,479
Area: Nantucket Island

7. Siasconset, Massachusetts

Median home value: $1,241,100
Median household income: N/A
Total population: 115
Area: Nantucket Island

6. Key Biscayne, Florida

Median home value: $1,331,900
Median household income: $173,015
Total population: 14,572
Area: Key Biscayne

5. Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Median home value: $1,423,900
Median household income: $214,250
Total population: 2,130
Area: John's Island

4. Madaket, Massachusetts

Median home value: $1,639,400
Median household income: $103,487
Total population: 318
Area: Nantucket Island

3. Orchid, Florida

Median home value: $1,708,300
Median household income: $159,688
Total population: 537
Area: North Hutchinson Island

2. Popponesset Island, Massachusetts

Median home value: $2,000,000+
Median household income: $137,500
Total population: 70
Area: Cape Cod

1. Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

Median home value: $2,000,000+
Median household income: $171,838
Total population: 2,317
Area: Sullivan's Island