Schools are on summer vacation and families across the country are packing up to go to the beach.
You’ve probably dreamed of turning your summer vacation spot into a regular weekend getaway or even a full-time residence. but buy a beach house But it comes with a major hurdle. The reason is that the prices of prime real estate in coastal areas are high.
With that in mind, the Realtor.com® team has once again calculated the most affordable beach towns for homebuyers in 2024. After making some tweaks to our methodology, Gulf Shores, Mississippi still reigns supreme for affordability, but this year Pascagoula, Mississippi has overtaken Gulfport, Mississippi as the nation’s No. 1 beach town for affordable housing.
“We’re a small town and everyone knows everyone else,” he says. Bernie O’Sullivan, a senior loan officer with Delmar Mortgage Co., has lived in Pascagoula for more than 60 years. “We have a huge beach park where they bring in music several times a year. …The sunsets are beautiful and it’s a very laid-back city.”
For the first time, the top 10 list includes two West Coast cities: Newport, Ore., and Ocean Shores, Wash. And, surprisingly, this year’s list includes an upscale Cape Cod village called Dennisport, Mass., which is filled with little beach bungalows.
Other 2024 entries include beach towns from the Jersey Shore, the Carolinas, Florida, Texas and Louisiana.
Note that some, but not all, of the beach towns on this list made it there primarily because of their abundance of condos. Condos are typically priced lower than single-family homes and have a lower median list price. Condos are a great way to purchase beachfront ownership at an affordable price, but they typically come with monthly homeowners association fees, which are not included in our calculations and are affordable. This can significantly affect the price.
Our rankings also don’t take into account flood insurance, which can be a big expense for coastal homeowners. Recent changes in federal regulations have resulted in significant increases in flood insurance premiums in some areas, with Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida seeing the most significant increases.
How we determined the most affordable beach towns
Starting with a federal database of beaches and their locations, we created a list of coastal cities and towns. He then ranked them by his March median list price for single-family homes, excluding mobile homes, including condos. To ensure adequate inventory, only cities with at least 25 active listings for the month were included.
To make the final list, these beach towns had to include a sandy, public-access ocean beach within their city boundaries. Cities on estuarine coastlines, such as inland bays and coves, were excluded from this year’s rankings.
Finally, to ensure geographic diversity, we included only one beach town per state in the top 10 rankings, excluding second or third place entries from states already listed.
March 2024 median list price: $164,900
Gulf Shores, Mississippi always ranks high on our list for beach town affordability, and this year is no exception.
Pascagoula is a city of about 22,000 people and the birthplace of famous beach bum musicians. jimmy buffettThe city’s main public beach is named Buffett Beach in honor of the “Cheeseburger in Paradise” singer, who died last year at the age of 76.
In addition to the beach, Pascagoula also has a public fishing pier and a 9-hole regulation golf course at Pascagoula Country Club. Just a short boat ride away, Petit Bois Island is a federally protected nature preserve. Although there are no structures or facilities on the island, it is open to the public and offers a private island vacation experience for day trippers who visit by private boat.
Pascagoula mortgage officer O’Sullivan said the city isn’t known as a place for second homes, and most of the properties here are owner-occupied home offices.
She said Pascagoula has bounced back strongly after being devastated by Hurricane Katrina about 20 years ago, with new bars, restaurants and shops popping up in the city.
2. Atlantic City, New Jersey
March 2024 median list price: $239,000
Perhaps better known for its casinos than its beaches, Atlantic City’s shoreline still draws swimmers on sunny summer days.
Known as the “Las Vegas of the East Coast,” this seaside resort offers plenty of fun and entertainment options. The city’s famous boardwalk is filled with dining and shopping options, and is also a great spot for people-watching on the Jersey Shore.
March 2024 median list price: $239,950
Among Florida’s many beach towns, Deerfield Beach took the top spot for housing affordability this year, mainly due to the abundance of affordable condominiums within the city.
Located in southeast Florida about midway between Miami and Palm Beach, Deerfield Beach offers plenty of activities and amenities, including a fishing pier, boardwalk, and arboretum.
Deerfield Island Park, a county-run nature preserve, is accessible by free boat ride from the mainland every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
March 2024 median list price: $277,500
It may come as a surprise that the upscale Cape Cod seaside village not only made it to our top 10 list of affordable beach towns, but also made it into the top five.
Dennis Port’s relatively low list prices are due to the many small World War II-era beach cottages along the coast. In terms of area, it is relatively expensive. But if you don’t mind a small space, these cottages offer an affordable opportunity to own a home with ocean views and direct access to the beach.
For example, this 367-square-foot one-bedroom is smaller than a backyard shed. But now priced at $189,000, it offers ocean views from a spacious outdoor patio and is just a two-minute walk to the beach.
March 2024 median list price: $299,500
Myrtle Beach, a famous resort city, made this year’s list primarily because of its high density of condos and lower median list prices.
This city of approximately 38,000 people is located in the middle of South Carolina’s Grand Strand, a stretch of 60 miles of uninterrupted sandy beaches. Myrtle Beach is known for its numerous golf courses, including many designed by celebrities. Arnold Palmer and jack nicklaus.
Other popular entertainment venues in the city include Ripley’s Aquarium, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the 187-foot Ferris wheel that towers over the boardwalk.
March 2024 median list price: $315,000
Corpus Christi’s city limits include portions of Padre Island and Mustang Island, popular destinations for Texas beachgoers. The city of about 300,000 people has a good mix of affordable housing, including beachfront condos and modest-sized homes within a short drive of the beach.
Parking on the beach is rarely an issue, as Padre Island’s National Seashore allows driving on the shoreline. Pick-up trucks with plenty of coolers are often seen on the beach, but a four-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended.
Local attractions in Corpus Christi include the USS Lexington Museum, a decommissioned aircraft carrier, the Texas State Aquarium, and the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center.
March 2024 median list price: $340,000
Most of the homes built directly on the sands of Sunset Beach are priced over $1 million. But just a few minutes’ drive inland, you’ll find plenty of affordable single-family homes and apartment complexes.
Originally named “Bald Beach,” this seaside town was given its more appealing current name in the 1950s by developers impressed by the sunset views from the southeast-facing barrier island.
Sunset Beach’s tourist attractions include the Ingram Planetarium and the fishing pier. Hikers can enjoy an undeveloped nature preserve on Bird Island, which is home to a local quirky “Kindred Spirit Mailbox” where passersby can leave their thoughts. A mysterious seaside mailbox was the inspiration. nicholas spark Novel “Every Breath”.
March 2024 median list price: $375,000
Located on a remote barrier island on the Louisiana Gulf Coast, Grand Isle is known for its beaches, migratory bird habitat, and surfable waves.
While Grand Isle’s large beach houses are relatively inexpensive compared to many other coastal towns, there is a big catch. The area has been hit by multiple hurricanes, and flood insurance for homes is likely to be expensive.
For beach lovers willing to take a risk, Grand Isle offers manicured sandy beaches, a state park with fishing piers, seafood and daiquiri shops, and numerous fishing charters.
March 2024 median list price: $399,950
Newport, the West Coast beach town that ranked highest on this year’s list, is home to historic Nye Beach, a popular vacation spot on the Oregon coast since the late 19th century.
Newport’s achievable property prices are thanks to its combination of waterfront condos and smaller homes within walking distance of the waterfront. For example, this 2 bedroom, 912 square foot cottage It sits on a cliff overlooking Nye Beach and is priced at $389,900.
Local attractions include Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, Oregon Coast Aquarium, and Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area.
March 2024 median list price: $425,000
Ocean Shores, a small city of about 6,700 people on the Washington state coast, rounds out this year’s list of the top 10 affordable beach towns.
Located on the Point Brown Peninsula, Ocean Shores offers direct shoreline access to both the Pacific Ocean and the North Bay of Grays Harbor. Nearby attractions include hiking and equestrian trails, a public golf course, and Quinault Beach Resort and Casino.
