18 Affordable Beach Towns in the U.S. Where You Can Actually Live

Whether you’re looking to retire, start a remote job in a beautiful, sunny destination, or raise your family by the water, many dream of moving to the beach for a year-round vacation and warm winter temperatures. Thankfully, you don’t have to shell out half a million dollars (or more!) to achieve this goal as there are plenty of affordable coastal cities around the country to call home.

Here, I collected 18 of the most affordable beach towns to live in throughout the U.S., based on median home values under $400,000, and I’ve ordered each town from cheapest to most expensive so you can start planning your move ASAP.

Population: 55,547

Median home price: $107,777

Median monthly rent: $1,500

Cajun flavor infuses this Southeast Texas town, which is equal parts history, culture, and nature. Between Lake Sabine, Sea Rim State Park, and Pleasure Island (a man-made island and entertainment hub), aquatic activities abound, including windsurfing, fishing, and boating. The Museum of the Gulf Coast displays items like a replica of Port Arthur native Janis Joplin’s psychedelic Porsche and other quirky pieces.

Population: 10,550

Median home price: $133,808

Median monthly rent: $1,250

Outdoorsy types will love the simple life in Freeport, Texas, which is about 50 miles south of Houston. The town offers ample fishing opportunities, including charters and tours, and the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, comprising 40,000 acres of wetlands and a huge variety of flora and fauna. Walk the boardwalks, hike the trails, or take a car tour of the preserve. Plus, you’re a short drive from big-city living when you need it. 

Population: 938

Median home price: $216,240

Median monthly rent: $1,220

Grand Isle is located on a small island in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s known for its state parks, fishing piers, and trail hiking. Although Hurricane Ida damaged much of this town, it has since been rebuilt, and is ready for tourists, visitors, and future homebuyers. That could mean that you could face astronomical home insurance costs if you choose to buy in Grand Isle or in any other hurricane or natural-disaster prone region, so there’s more to budget for in this location. 

Population: 72,823

Median home price: $191,232

Median monthly rent: $1,287

Gulfport is Mississippi’s second-largest city, and it’s all about fun. In the waterfront entertainment district, people stroll with cocktails in to-go cups while taking in the diverse public art. Tourists can’t resist activities like zip-lining through the coastal canopies or boating to the scenic Ship Island. At the town’s picturesque harbor, you can charter a fishing boat and toss a line into the Gulf to guarantee a fresh catch for dinner. 

Population: 15,404

Median home price: $240,434

Median monthly rent: $1,849

Brunswick offers low-country living at an affordable price plus the small town charm of a coastal Southern city. Considered the gateway to Georgia’s famed Golden Isles, Brunswick is home to both Jekyll and Sea Islands, and a charming historic district with Victorian-era homes. The close-knit community gathers often to celebrate the area’s rich cultural history, cuisine, arts, and music, offering plenty of ways to get involved. 

Population: 48,235

Average home price: $218,256

Average monthly rent: $1,500

Try your luck in Biloxi, a Gulf Coast city known for its casinos and coastal cuisine. Locals and visitors alike let the good times roll in two entertainment districts. Those inclined to quieter pursuits may prefer to lounge on the white-sand beaches, hit the links on a championship golf course, or take a sunset sail on a schooner. You can even embark on a shrimping trip in Biloxi, once known as the Seafood Capital of the World.

Population: 38,464

Median home price: $214,764

Median monthly rent: $1,890

Another city known for its casino culture, Atlantic City is also famous for its wide beaches and classic boardwalk lined with souvenir shops, rides, arcades, and all the greasy food your heart desires. New York may be the city that never sleeps, but AC isn’t far behind. Gambling outposts, nightclubs, and lounges regularly host concerts, comedy acts, and other live entertainment.

Population: 72,879

Median home price: $249,469

Median monthly rent: $1,745

Jacksonville is a military town through and through, thanks to the presence of Camp Lejeune, the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast. Memorials and sites around town honor troops, including the Freedom Fountain, Lejeune Memorial Gardens, the Montford Point Marine Museum, and more. Outdoor activities like fishing and paddling are popular pastimes in addition to local sporting tournaments and events. 

Population: 10,511

Median home price: $231,633

Median monthly rent: $1,579

Nope, not that St. Louis. This is Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, a quaint seaside town with nautical character to spare. In addition to its alluring beaches, warm waters, and first-rate fishing, the town offers land-bound pleasures like art galleries, Creole cottages, and 19th-century homes.

Population: 18,997

Median home price: $263,480

Median monthly rent: $2,058

Ocean Springs oozes small town Southern charm. Its quaint main street is lined with old oak trees and  brick buildings sporting wrought-iron detailing, while three entertainment districts offer plenty of diversions. The town is also known for its artistic vibe and festivals, including Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, Mississippi’s largest fine arts festival.

Population: 53,724

Median home price: $256,567

Median monthly rent: $1,593

Located on the Florida panhandle, Pensacola is a popular vacation destination, thanks in large part to its gorgeous white-sand beaches and warm waters. History buffs are intrigued by its origins as a Spanish settlement, as illustrated at the Historic Pensacola Village, while aviation enthusiasts thrive in the local flying culture. Navy pilots train at the Blue Angels Naval aerobatics team and the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Population: 17,014

Median home price: $268,573

Median monthly rent: $1,346

The only West Coast contender, Aberdeen, is located at the mouth of Grays Harbor, formed by the Chehalis, Wishkah, and Hoquiam rivers in Washington. It offers a variety of parks; a popular spot is the Kurt Cobain Memorial Park, named in memory of the late Nirvana musician who was born here. After a day outside, stop into one of the town’s many coffee shops for a pick-me-up.

Population: 82,485

Median home price: $246,086

Median monthly rent: $1,600

Famous for being the eponymous hosting site for one of NASCAR’s most famous races each winter and summer, Daytona Beach offers a prime location for plenty of adventures. It’s home to the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, one of the oldest in the U.S., one of the world’s most famous beaches, and close proximity to Orlando for Disney fanatics as well as the Kennedy Space Center for space aficionados. 

Population: 27,560

Median home price: $303,679

Median monthly rent: $1,668

Yes, it is possible to find your dream beach home in New England! Check out New London, located on the Thames River. This charming seaport city, previously the second-largest whaling port in the world, opens out to Long Island Sound. Here you’ll find a range of amenities that contribute to the town’s culture and livability, such as the region’s major performing arts center, one of the country’s top liberal arts colleges, idyllic homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and wonderful beaches.

Population: 87,325

Median home price: $282,782

Median monthly rent: $2,300

Located halfway between Miami and Palm Beach, this coastal city is home to an excellent pier for fishing, killer beaches for surfing and swimming, a popular boardwalk, and plenty of local bars and restaurants for kicking back after work. Plus, the city is home to numerous festivals, parades, and other celebrations year-round that keep its residents close. 

Population: 5,611

Median home price: $363,173

Median monthly rent: $1,500

This Northern California beach town sits near the Oregon border and offers the same stunning views that more popular destinations like Orange County have. However, with a $1,700 price tag, you can afford to live out your beach house dreams here. 

Population: 14,199

Median home price: $451,146

Median monthly rent: $3,400

Southampton may not exactly fit the budget, but nearby Mastic Beach could be the perfect place to land. Located just 40 minutes away, this charming beach town is just as family-friendly and picturesque. The city is home to an array of great restaurants, historical landmarks, and a national wildlife refuge to help you make the most of Atlantic coastal living. 

Population: 11,002

Average home price: $374,136

Average monthly rent: $1,500

You might not think of the Midwest when you think of beach towns, but Grand Haven should definitely be on your list. It’s on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, and in the summer you can spend all day on the lake, you can bike or hike, or check out sand dunes. And on the plus side, you’ll get a real winter, too — Grand Haven boasts access to skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sport activities as well.