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