Where are the most affordable beach towns in the United States? According to the Office for Coastal Management, 4 out of 10 Americans live in a coastal county. California, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Texas are the five states with the largest number of coastal residents. I live in a landlocked state, so it’s always been a dream of mine to live in a beach town. Maine is at the top of my list.
One thing is immediately noticeable when I rent a house in a coastal town. People seem less stressed. They take the time to breathe the salty air and enjoy the panoramic views of the ocean or sea. I know I feel so much calmer and more at peace.
Several years ago, I rented a house on Bailey Island in Maine. Neighbors treated us like old friends. The entire island was walkable, so you didn’t need a car to get to a store, restaurant, lobster docks, or one of several beaches. I never wanted to leave. I felt so at home and welcomed. I’ve returned many more times over the years and always felt just as welcome.
If you’re like me and dream of living near the beach, I’ve compiled a list of the most affordable beach towns in the U.S. Join me as I explore them below and see if your favorite beach town makes the list. Maybe you’ll have the inspiration to travel somewhere new and find a 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.
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- Median home value: $278,400 (3.8 times income)
- Median household income: $73,356
- Total population: 11,016
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- Median home value: $446,200 (3.8 times income)
- Median household income: $117,591
- Total population: 8,485
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- Median home value: $243,000 (3.8 times income)
- Median household income: $64,138
- Total population: 950,203
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- Median home value: $468,800 (3.8 times income)
- Median household income: $124,048
- Total population: 6,090
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- Median home value: $267,600 (3.8 times income)
- Median household income: $71,241
- Total population: 17,469
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- Median home value: $195,800 (3.8 times income)
- Median household income: $52,212
- Total population: 6,986
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- Median home value: $268,500 (3.7 times income)
- Median household income: $71,659
- Total population: 4,213
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- Median home value: $686,400 (3.7 times income)
- Median household income: $185,368
- Total population: 21,004
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- Median home value: $233,400 (3.7 times income)
- Median household income: $63,355
- Total population: 185,118
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- Median home value: $250,800 (3.7 times income)
- Median household income: $68,262
- Total population: 10,482
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- Median home value: $294,400 (3.6 times income)
- Median household income: $81,009
- Total population: 82,783
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- Median home value: $368,700 (3.6 times income)
- Median household income: $102,670
- Total population: 17,087
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- Median home value: $404,900 (3.6 times income)
- Median household income: $113,523
- Total population: 8,699
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- Median home value: $165,400 (3.6 times income)
- Median household income: $46,434
- Total population: 3,507
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- Median home value: $369,000 (3.5 times income)
- Median household income: $105,377
- Total population: 18,266
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- Median home value: $190,200 (3.5 times income)
- Median household income: $54,898
- Total population: 13,132
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- Median home value: $256,500 (3.5 times income)
- Median household income: $74,182
- Total population: 9,925
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- Median home value: $194,900 (3.5 times income)
- Median household income: $56,396
- Total population: 7,075
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- Median home value: $276,300 (3.4 times income)
- Median household income: $80,657
- Total population: 27,861
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- Median home value: $162,700 (3.4 times income)
- Median household income: $47,614
- Total population: 8,742
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- Median home value: $219,800 (3.4 times income)
- Median household income: $64,430
- Total population: 137,217
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- Median home value: $164,100 (3.4 times income)
- Median household income: $48,329
- Total population: 4,307
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- Median home value: $172,900 (3.3 times income)
- Median household income: $51,781
- Total population: 10,885
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- Median home value: $243,600 (3.3 times income)
- Median household income: $73,828
- Total population: 28,878
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- Median home value: $314,000 (3.3 times income)
- Median household income: $95,399
- Total population: 6,418
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- Median home value: $282,000 (3.2 times income)
- Median household income: $86,944
- Total population: 13,537
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- Median home value: $160,600 (3.1 times income)
- Median household income: $51,016
- Total population: 16,567
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- Median home value: $236,400 (3.1 times income)
- Median household income: $75,167
- Total population: 4,018
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- Median home value: $396,200 (3.1 times income)
- Median household income: $127,063
- Total population: 2,532
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- Median home value: $355,800 (3.0 times income)
- Median household income: $116,711
- Total population: 3,511
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- Median home value: $663,400 (3.0 times income)
- Median household income: $218,077
- Total population: 3,739
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- Median home value: $164,400 (3.0 times income)
- Median household income: $54,096
- Total population: 2,624
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- Median home value: $294,000 (3.0 times income)
- Median household income: $97,064
- Total population: 4,527
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- Median home value: $325,800 (3.0 times income)
- Median household income: $108,030
- Total population: 6,746
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- Median home value: $278,200 (3.0 times income)
- Median household income: $93,571
- Total population: 10,015
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- Median home value: $396,500 (3.0 times income)
- Median household income: $133,378
- Total population: 4,959
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- Median home value: $267,900 (3.0 times income)
- Median household income: $90,197
- Total population: 4,236
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- Median home value: $213,400 (2.9 times income)
- Median household income: $72,500
- Total population: 18,417
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- Median home value: $173,700 (2.9 times income)
- Median household income: $59,469
- Total population: 4,411
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- Median home value: $280,800 (2.8 times income)
- Median household income: $99,099
- Total population: 10,933
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- Median home value: $350,100 (2.8 times income)
- Median household income: $124,070
- Total population: 7,154
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- Median home value: $187,800 (2.8 times income)
- Median household income: $66,573
- Total population: 16,809
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- Median home value: $180,900 (2.8 times income)
- Median household income: $64,449
- Total population: 317,804
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- Median home value: $175,100 (2.7 times income)
- Median household income: $64,478
- Total population: 4,309
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- Median home value: $166,600 (2.7 times income)
- Median household income: $61,359
- Total population: 53,084
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- Median home value: $218,200 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $83,493
- Total population: 20,130
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- Median home value: $196,500 (2.5 times income)
- Median household income: $79,193
- Total population: 35,782
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- Median home value: $146,200 (2.3 times income)
- Median household income: $62,227
- Total population: 5,186
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- Median home value: $296,200 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $136,500
- Total population: 3,158
Source: Lupe Chacon / iStock via Getty Images
- Median home value: $114,700 (1.9 times income)
- Median household income: $58,871
- Total population: 11,545
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