Many people dream of living on the water. It often doesn’t even matter where, as long as the views are spectacular and the water clean. Many people like beach homes in warm climates, which is a major reason Americans move to states like Florida. Others like winter sports and have beach homes in places like northern Michigan. Some people have beach homes on lakes. Others prefer homes on the ocean.
Air filter company Filter King set out to find the best cities to own a beach home. In its Beach House Hotspots, the company considered several factors. Among them were home prices, one-year home price increases, average maximum temperature, air quality, and rainfall. Airbnb rental data was also considered. Based on these factors, the best place in America to own a beach house is Galveston, Texas.
As Filter King’s puts it: “Beaches remain one of the most popular vacation destinations, and whether you go for the sun, sand, sea, or simply the fresh air, everyone loves a trip to the seaside.” If you want a good return on your investment, this is the best place to buy a vacation home.
Locations were rated on a scale from 1 to 10. Not surprisingly, most of the best locations were along the Atlantic, in Florida and the Gulf states, including Alabama and Texas.
The best location for beach houses, Galveston, Texas, scored a rating of 7.64. Ironically, Galveston is the location of the most devastating hurricane in U.S. history. The Great Galveston Hurricane killed as many as 8,000 people in August 1900. Fortunately, early warning systems make sudden hurricane fatalities much less likely. However, Galveston remains in a section of the Gulf endangered every year by huge storms. These are the most powerful hurricanes of all time.
50. Ocean Shores, Washington
> Beach hot spot score: 5.7
> Average home price: $275,503
> Average 1-year home price increase: 19.2%
> Average annual low temperature: 44˚F
49. Eureka, California
> Beach hot spot score: 5.8
> Average home price: $343,929
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.5%
> Average annual low temperature: 46.1˚F
48. Eastham, Massachusetts
> Beach hot spot score: 5.8
> Average home price: $585,692
> Average 1-year home price increase: 20.3%
> Average annual low temperature: 44.1˚F
47. Port Angeles, Washington
> Beach hot spot score: 5.9
> Average home price: $331,294
> Average 1-year home price increase: 15.3%
> Average annual low temperature: 40.7˚F
46. Mystic, Connecticut
> Beach hot spot score: 5.9
> Average home price: $420,550
> Average 1-year home price increase: 20.6%
> Average annual low temperature: 42˚F
45. Virginia Beach, Virginia
> Beach hot spot score: 5.9
> Average home price: $326,160
> Average 1-year home price increase: 10.8%
> Average annual low temperature: 50.7˚F
44. Isle of Palms, South Carolina
> Beach hot spot score: 5.9
> Average home price: $965,995
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.3%
> Average annual low temperature: 57˚F
43. Captiva Island, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.0
> Average home price: $1,309,301
> Average 1-year home price increase: 8.2%
> Average annual low temperature: 65.5˚F
42. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
> Beach hot spot score: 6.0
> Average home price: $1,053,949
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.3%
> Average annual low temperature: 53.8˚F
41. Ocean City, Maryland
> Beach hot spot score: 6.2
> Average home price: $322,507
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.6%
> Average annual low temperature: 45.9˚F
40. Wilmington, North Carolina
> Beach hot spot score: 6.3
> Average home price: $280,177
> Average 1-year home price increase: 9.8%
> Average annual low temperature: 53.8˚F
39. Palm Coast, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.3
> Average home price: $262,508
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.0%
> Average annual low temperature: 60.5˚F
38. Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
> Beach hot spot score: 6.3
> Average home price: $151,326
> Average 1-year home price increase: 6.5%
> Average annual low temperature: 59˚F
37. Biloxi, Mississippi
> Beach hot spot score: 6.3
> Average home price: $168,003
> Average 1-year home price increase: 8.4%
> Average annual low temperature: 59.9˚F
36. Gulfport, Mississippi
> Beach hot spot score: 6.3
> Average home price: $144,323
> Average 1-year home price increase: 8.8%
> Average annual low temperature: 58.4˚F
35. Kailua Kona, Hawaii
> Beach hot spot score: 6.4
> Average home price: $618,335
> Average 1-year home price increase: 10.1%
> Average annual low temperature: 63.3˚F
34. Long Beach, California
> Beach hot spot score: 6.4
> Average home price: $706,199
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.1%
> Average annual low temperature: 55.4˚F
33. Ocean Springs, Mississippi
> Beach hot spot score: 6.4
> Average home price: $191,739
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.4%
> Average annual low temperature: 61˚F
32. Freeport, Texas
> Beach hot spot score: 6.5
> Average home price: $117,891
> Average 1-year home price increase: 8.2%
> Average annual low temperature: 61.9˚F
31. Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
> Beach hot spot score: 6.5
> Average home price: $312,397
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.8%
> Average annual low temperature: 56.3˚F
30. Carolina Beach, North Carolina
> Beach hot spot score: 6.5
> Average home price: $393,594
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.5%
> Average annual low temperature: 53.8˚F
29. Clearwater Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.6
> Average home price: $607,837
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.2%
> Average annual low temperature: 63.9˚F
28. Sanibel, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.6
> Average home price: $847,656
> Average 1-year home price increase: 8.7%
> Average annual low temperature: 65.5˚F
27. Dauphin Island, Alabama
> Beach hot spot score: 6.7
> Average home price: $361,057
> Average 1-year home price increase: 16.2%
> Average annual low temperature: 63.4˚F
26. Port Aransas, Texas
> Beach hot spot score: 6.7
> Average home price: $448,523
> Average 1-year home price increase: 7.1%
> Average annual low temperature: 67˚F
25. Navarre, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.8
> Average home price: $320,333
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.7%
> Average annual low temperature: 59.2˚F
24. Pensacola Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.8
> Average home price: $387,124
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.6%
> Average annual low temperature: 60.3˚F
23. Vero Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.8
> Average home price: $255,064
> Average 1-year home price increase: 8.5%
> Average annual low temperature: 64.6˚F
22. Fort Walton Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.8
> Average home price: $266,863
> Average 1-year home price increase: 13.2%
> Average annual low temperature: 59˚F
21. Destin, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.8
> Average home price: $475,606
> Average 1-year home price increase: 10.1%
> Average annual low temperature: 61.4˚F
20. Daytona Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.8
> Average home price: $188,224
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.0%
> Average annual low temperature: 61.7˚F
19. Hilton Head, South Carolina
> Beach hot spot score: 6.9
> Average home price: $491,346
> Average 1-year home price increase: 12.1%
> Average annual low temperature: 55.9˚F
18. Cocoa Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.9
> Average home price: $377,095
> Average 1-year home price increase: 10.8%
> Average annual low temperature: 63˚F
17. Paia, Hawaii
> Beach hot spot score: 6.9
> Average home price: $875,884
> Average 1-year home price increase: 6.5%
> Average annual low temperature: 67.4˚F
16. Fort Myers Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.9
> Average home price: $497,546
> Average 1-year home price increase: 9.4%
> Average annual low temperature: 65.5˚F
15. Key West, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.0
> Average home price: $736,275
> Average 1-year home price increase: 5.8%
> Average annual low temperature: 73.1˚F
14. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
> Beach hot spot score: 7.0
> Average home price: $211,524
> Average 1-year home price increase: 9.6%
> Average annual low temperature: 52.2˚F
13. Melbourne, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.0
> Average home price: $268,159
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.6%
> Average annual low temperature: 63.7˚F
12. Port Arthur, Texas
> Beach hot spot score: 7.0
> Average home price: $71,428
> Average 1-year home price increase: 13.8%
> Average annual low temperature: 59.7˚F
11. Deerfield Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.2
> Average home price: $211,774
> Average 1-year home price increase: 9.0%
> Average annual low temperature: 68˚F
10. Miami Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.2
> Average home price: $391,555
> Average 1-year home price increase: 3.9%
> Average annual low temperature: 68.1˚F
9. Corpus Christi, Texas
> Beach hot spot score: 7.3
> Average home price: $183,073
> Average 1-year home price increase: 9.1%
> Average annual low temperature: 63.2˚F
8. Fort Pierce, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.3
> Average home price: $193,493
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.3%
> Average annual low temperature: 67˚F
7. Lahaina, Hawaii
> Beach hot spot score: 7.3
> Average home price: $801,009
> Average 1-year home price increase: 4.9%
> Average annual low temperature: 66.4˚F
6. Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.4
> Average home price: $669,577
> Average 1-year home price increase: 15.1%
> Average annual low temperature: 68.5˚F
5. Gulf Shores, Alabama
> Beach hot spot score: 7.4
> Average home price: $323,708
> Average 1-year home price increase: 17.4%
> Average annual low temperature: 63˚F
4. Miramar Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.4
> Average home price: $497,865
> Average 1-year home price increase: 12.0%
> Average annual low temperature: 68.5˚F
3. Panama City Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.5
> Average home price: $347,974
> Average 1-year home price increase: 7.3%
> Average annual low temperature: 61˚F
2. Orange Beach, Alabama
> Beach hot spot score: 7.5
> Average home price: $381,555
> Average 1-year home price increase: 21.9%
> Average annual low temperature: 59˚F
1. Galveston, Texas
> Beach hot spot score: 7.6
> Average home price: $263,954
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.7%
> Average annual low temperature: 65.3˚F