A large majority of Americans dream of owning a property near the beach, but the high price of coastal real estate can be an obstacle.
However, there are still 10 beach towns in the United States where hopeful buyers can find affordable homes for sale, according to Realtor.com, which recently released this year's "Most Affordable Beach Towns in America" list.
The Methodology
Realtor.com noted that it created its list using federal data, ranking each beach town by median list prices in March 2024 for single-family homes. It also noted that some beach towns made the cut due to their abundance of condominium units, which are typically more affordable than single-family homes.
In addition, the list only included beach towns with at least 25 active listings in March. They also had to include a sandy, public-access ocean beach within city limits.
The list did not analyze listings for mobile homes. It also did not include cities on the coastline of estuaries, monthly homeowners association fees, and flood insurance premiums.
Furthermore, Realtor.com only included one beach town per state on its list. Second or third entries from states already listed were excluded.
3 Most Affordable Beach Towns for Home Buyers
1. Pascagoula, MS
Median List Price (in March 2024): $164,900
Home to about 22,000 people, Pascagoula is known as the birthplace of musician Jimmy Buffet. It is also home to "Buffet Beach," which was named in honor of the singer, who died last year at the age of 76.
Apart from its beach, Pascagoula residents have access to a public fishing pier, a nine-hole regulation golf course at the Pascagoula Country Club, and the Petit Bois Island.
2. Atlantic City, NJ
Median List Price: $239,000
Atlantic City's coastline is known as the seaside resort town of "Las Vegas of the East Coast." The area has plenty of casinos, dining, and shopping options for residents.
3. Deerfield Beach, FL
Median List Price: $239,950
Deerfield Beach is included in the list primarily due to the large number of moderately priced condominium units in the area. Homeowners have access to a wide range of activities and amenities, including an arboretum, boardwalk, and fishing pier. Residents would also have access to county-run Deerfield Island Park, a nature refuge accessible by free boat rides.
Other Affordable Beach Towns On The List
Here are the other beach towns included on Realtor.com's list.
Dennis Port, MA - $277,500
Myrtle Beach, SC - $299,500
Corpus Christi, TX - $315,000
Sunset Beach, NC - $340,000
Grand Isle, LA - $375,000
Newport, OR - $399,950
Ocean Shores, WA - $425,000
