This Town Makes It Possible to Live by the Beach for $114,000

The United States is a diverse geographical and topographical nation including coastal regions, hills, mountains, plains, and deserts. Of these areas, coastal regions rank among the most sought-after locations. According to the NOAA, these coastal regions only make up 10% of the country's land mass (excluding Alaska), and almost half of Americans (40% or 129 million people) reside in these areas. But for those who reside in landlocked states, of which there are 27, seeing the coast is often but a dream. And affordable beach towns seem even more out of reach.

The five states with the largest population of coastal residents are California, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Texas. These areas are often thought to be an overall health benefit, with less stress than other areas, improved air quality, and higher exposure to daily Vitamin D. Yet, many towns and cities along the coast are not affordable for most people. This is why we've found the most affordable beach towns to satisfy your possible future dream of living in one.

24/7 Tempo has compiled a list of the most affordable beach towns in the U.S. See if your favorite beach town makes the list. Perhaps it will inspire you to travel and find a new, tranquil place to call home. (Also, read about the 40 cities with the nicest year-round weather and see how many of these beach towns are close to cities on that list.)

Methodology

To determine the most affordable beach towns, 24/7 Tempo reviewed five-year data on median household value and median household income from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 American Community Survey. Cities, towns, and Census-designated places were ranked based on the ratio of median home value to median household income.

Only places with at least 2,500 residents that intersect a beach were considered. Boundary definitions for places came from the U.S. Census Bureau, while boundary definitions for beaches came from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

50. Gloucester Point, Virginia

Median home value: $278,400 (3.8 times income)
Median household income: $73,356
Total population: 11,016

49. Stevensville, Maryland

Median home value: $446,200 (3.8 times income)
Median household income: $117,591
Total population: 8,485

48. Jacksonville, Florida

Median home value: $243,000 (3.8 times income)
Median household income: $64,138
Total population: 950,203

47. Kingston, Massachusetts

Median home value: $468,800 (3.8 times income)
Median household income: $124,048
Total population: 6,090

46. South Venice, Florida

Median home value: $267,600 (3.8 times income)
Median household income: $71,241
Total population: 17,469

45. Rockland, Maine

Median home value: $195,800 (3.8 times income)
Median household income: $52,212
Total population: 6,986

44. Shallotte, North Carolina

Median home value: $268,500 (3.7 times income)
Median household income: $71,659
Total population: 4,213

43. Merrick, New York

Median home value: $686,400 (3.7 times income)
Median household income: $185,368
Total population: 21,004

42. Newport News, Virginia

Median home value: $233,400 (3.7 times income)
Median household income: $63,355
Total population: 185,118

41. Somers Point, New Jersey

The inlet at Somers point New Jersey frames a beautiful full moon on a summer's night

Median home value: $250,800 (3.7 times income)
Median household income: $68,262
Total population: 10,482

40. Warwick, Rhode Island

Aerial view of Warwick lighthouse, Rhode Island.

Median home value: $294,400 (3.6 times income)
Median household income: $81,009
Total population: 82,783

39. Safety Harbor, Florida

Median home value: $368,700 (3.6 times income)
Median household income: $102,670
Total population: 17,087

38. Ogden, North Carolina

Median home value: $404,900 (3.6 times income)
Median household income: $113,523
Total population: 8,699

37. River Road, North Carolina

Median home value: $165,400 (3.6 times income)
Median household income: $46,434
Total population: 3,507

36. Somerset, Massachusetts

Median home value: $369,000 (3.5 times income)
Median household income: $105,377
Total population: 18,266

35. South Daytona, Florida

Median home value: $190,200 (3.5 times income)
Median household income: $54,898
Total population: 13,132

34. Villas, New Jersey

Median home value: $256,500 (3.5 times income)
Median household income: $74,182
Total population: 9,925

33. Waveland, Mississippi

Median home value: $194,900 (3.5 times income)
Median household income: $56,396
Total population: 7,075

32. Daphne, Alabama

Median home value: $276,300 (3.4 times income)
Median household income: $80,657
Total population: 27,861

31. Hoquiam, Washington

Median home value: $162,700 (3.4 times income)
Median household income: $47,614
Total population: 8,742

30. Hampton, Virginia

Median home value: $219,800 (3.4 times income)
Median household income: $64,430
Total population: 137,217

29. Reedsport, Oregon

Median home value: $164,100 (3.4 times income)
Median household income: $48,329
Total population: 4,307

28. Garden City, South Carolina

Median home value: $172,900 (3.3 times income)
Median household income: $51,781
Total population: 10,885

27. Ruskin, Florida

Median home value: $243,600 (3.3 times income)
Median household income: $73,828
Total population: 28,878

26. Laurence Harbor, New Jersey

Median home value: $314,000 (3.3 times income)
Median household income: $95,399
Total population: 6,418

25. Lexington Park, Maryland

Median home value: $282,000 (3.2 times income)
Median household income: $86,944
Total population: 13,537

24. Warrington, Florida

Median home value: $160,600 (3.1 times income)
Median household income: $51,016
Total population: 16,567

23. Mary Esther, Florida

Median home value: $236,400 (3.1 times income)
Median household income: $75,167
Total population: 4,018

22. Seaville, New Jersey

Median home value: $396,200 (3.1 times income)
Median household income: $127,063
Total population: 2,532

21. Tiger Point, Florida

Median home value: $355,800 (3.0 times income)
Median household income: $116,711
Total population: 3,511

20. Setauket, New York

Median home value: $663,400 (3.0 times income)
Median household income: $218,077
Total population: 3,739

19. Eastpoint, Florida

Median home value: $164,400 (3.0 times income)
Median household income: $54,096
Total population: 2,624

18. Pascoag, Rhode Island

Median home value: $294,000 (3.0 times income)
Median household income: $97,064
Total population: 4,527

17. Bowleys Quarters, Maryland

Median home value: $325,800 (3.0 times income)
Median household income: $108,030
Total population: 6,746

16. Chesapeake Ranch Estates, Maryland

Median home value: $278,200 (3.0 times income)
Median household income: $93,571
Total population: 10,015

15. Shady Side, Maryland

Median home value: $396,500 (3.0 times income)
Median household income: $133,378
Total population: 4,959

14. Holly Ridge, North Carolina

Median home value: $267,900 (3.0 times income)
Median household income: $90,197
Total population: 4,236

13. Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Median home value: $213,400 (2.9 times income)
Median household income: $72,500
Total population: 18,417

12. Palacios, Texas

Median home value: $173,700 (2.9 times income)
Median household income: $59,469
Total population: 4,411

11. Beachwood, New Jersey

Median home value: $280,800 (2.8 times income)
Median household income: $99,099
Total population: 10,933

10. Sound Beach, New York

Median home value: $350,100 (2.8 times income)
Median household income: $124,070
Total population: 7,154

9. Long Beach, Mississippi

Median home value: $187,800 (2.8 times income)
Median household income: $66,573
Total population: 16,809

8. Corpus Christi, Texas

Median home value: $180,900 (2.8 times income)
Median household income: $64,449
Total population: 317,804

7. Parker, Florida

Median home value: $175,100 (2.7 times income)
Median household income: $64,478
Total population: 4,309

6. Texas City, Texas

Median home value: $166,600 (2.7 times income)
Median household income: $61,359
Total population: 53,084

5. Portland, Texas

Median home value: $218,200 (2.6 times income)
Median household income: $83,493
Total population: 20,130

4. La Porte, Texas

Median home value: $196,500 (2.5 times income)
Median household income: $79,193
Total population: 35,782

3. James City, North Carolina

Median home value: $146,200 (2.3 times income)
Median household income: $62,227
Total population: 5,186

2. North Middletown, New Jersey

Median home value: $296,200 (2.2 times income)
Median household income: $136,500
Total population: 3,158

1. Port Lavaca, Texas

Median home value: $114,700 (1.9 times income)
Median household income: $58,871
Total population: 11,545