Best Beach Towns in America That Are Actually Affordable
If you’re like most people, you’ve had dreams of living on the beach. When your day gets tough, it would be nice to retreat to a relaxing beach house where you can put all your cares away as you sink your toes in the sand and soak in the warm sun. But you might have put those dreams aside because you thought you couldn’t afford it. Well, you’ll be happy to know that isn’t true. There are plenty of beach towns that are nice and easy on the wallet.
Researchers at WalletHub conducted an analysis of all the best beach towns in the United States. Some of the factors they assessed were affordability, safety, weather, and quality of life. We decided to take a closer look at the best beach towns that were also affordable. WalletHub based affordability on factors, such as housing costs, median household income, and median annual property taxes. Here are the 15 best beach towns for affordability, according WalletHub.
15. Pasco, Washington
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 15
This town has a population of 67,391, according to Data USA. The median household income for Pasco, Washington, is $55,319, and the median property value is $163,300. The poverty rate is 18.8%. For average housing costs, WalletHub gives an affordability score of 24 (on a scale of 1 to 227).
Next: We head to our first beach in Florida.
14. Hallandale Beach, Florida
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 14
This town has a population of 38,725. The median household income for Hallandale Beach, Florida, is $34,216, and the median property value is $151,600. The poverty rate is 22.1%. As far as average housing costs, WalletHub gives an affordability score of 214 (on a scale of 1 to 227). Roughly 71% of the available homes in this town are waterfront property, and 70% of the available homes have a pool.
Next: Now for some West Coast beach living.
13. Mill Valley, California
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 13
This town has a population of 14,243. The median household income for Mill Valley, California, is $143,005, and the median property value is $1.16 million. The poverty rate is 3.26%. As far as average housing costs, WalletHub gives an affordability score of 102 (on a scale of 1 to 227).
Next: A South Dakota beach?
12. Mitchell, South Dakota
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 12
This town has a population of 15,543. The median household income for Mitchell, South Dakota, is $47,936, and the median property value is $123,800. The poverty rate is 13.9%. As far as average housing costs, WalletHub gives an affordability score of 14 (on a scale of 1 to 227).
Next: Another Florida beach
11. New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 11
This town has a population of 23,356. The median household income for New Smyrna Beach, Florida, is $50,950, and the median property value is $210,900. The poverty rate is 14.3%. As far as average housing costs, WalletHub gives an affordability score of 115 (on a scale of 1 to 227). Roughly 54% of the available homes in this town are waterfront property, and 40% of the available homes have a pool.
Next: We’re not leaving Florida yet.
10. North Palm Beach, Florida
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 10
This town has a population of 12,425. The median household income for North Palm Beach, Florida, is $63,911, and the median property value is $242,100. The poverty rate is 7.57%. As far as average housing costs, WalletHub gives an affordability score of 75 (on a scale of 1 to 227). Roughly 52% of the available homes in this town are waterfront property, and 77% of the available homes have a pool.
Next: Aloha!
9. Lahaina, Hawaii
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 9
This town has a population of 12,118. The median household income for Lahaina, Hawaii, is $67,362, and the median property value is $538,800. The poverty rate is 9.3%. As far as average housing costs, WalletHub gives an affordability score of 178 (on a scale of 1 to 227). Roughly 45% of the available homes in this town are waterfront property, and 74% of the available homes have a pool.
Next: We’re extending our Hawaii stay.
8. Kihei, Hawaii
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 8
This town has a population of 22,401. The median household income for Kihei, Hawaii, is $64,747, and the median property value is $461,100. The poverty rate is 9.6%. As far as average housing costs, WalletHub gives an affordability score of 195 (on a scale of 1 to 227). Roughly 50% of the available homes in this town are waterfront property, and 71% of the available homes have a pool.
Next: We go from the 50th state to the 49th.
7. Juneau, Alaska
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 7
This town has a population of 32,531. The median household income for Juneau, Alaska, is $85,746, and the median property value is $323,500. The poverty rate is 6.6%. As far as average housing costs, WalletHub gives an affordability score of 29 (on a scale of 1 to 227). Roughly 20% of the available homes in this town are waterfront property.
Next: This state doesn’t offer much of a tropical beach experience either.
6. Duluth, Minnesota
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 6
This town has a population of 86,178. The median household income for Duluth, Minnesota, is $45,034, and the median property value is $147,800. The poverty rate is 21.5%. As far as average housing costs, WalletHub gives an affordability score of 45 (on a scale of 1 to 227). If you’re looking for a home with a swimming pool you’ll likely find one in Duluth. Approximately 97% of the homes for sale have a swimming pool, according to WalletHub research.
Next: Back to sunny Florida
5. Jupiter, Florida
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 5
This town has a population of 59,054. The median household income for Jupiter, Florida, is $71,233, and the median property value is $283,700. The poverty rate is 9.2%. As far as average housing costs, WalletHub gives an affordability score of 113 (on a scale of 1 to 227). Roughly 35% of the available homes in this town are waterfront property, and 69% of the available homes have a pool.
Next: We’re still warming up in Florida.
4. Satellite Beach, Florida
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 4
This town has a total population of 10,351. The median household income for Satellite Beach, Florida, is $65,000, and the median property value is $224,600. The poverty rate is 3.6%. As far as average housing costs, WalletHub gives an affordability score of 82 (on a scale of 1 to 227). Roughly 54% of the available homes in this town are waterfront property, and 64% of the available homes have a pool.
Next: One more Florida beach
3. Cocoa Beach, Florida
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 3
This cozy town has a population of just 11,355. The median household income for Cocoa Beach, Florida, is $53,844, and the median property value is $251,300. The poverty rate is 7.4%. When it comes to housing costs, WalletHub gives a score of 116 (on a scale of 1 to 227). One thing you’ll be able to enjoy is smooth travel. Average commute times for this town are just 26 minutes. Roughly 68% of the available homes in this town are waterfront property, and 66% of the available homes have a pool.
Next: We head to the West Cost one more time.
2. Benicia, California
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 2
This beach town has a population of 27,657. The median household income for Benicia, California, is $88,394, and the median property value is $448,500. The poverty rate is 5.4%. As far as average housing costs, WalletHub gives an affordability score of 68 (on a scale of 1 to 227).
Next: And the best affordable beach town is …
1. Westport, Connecticut
Overall affordability rank (scale of 1 to 227; 1 is most affordable): 1
Westport, Connecticut, has a lot to offer. If you’re looking to move to this beach town, you’ll have plenty of homes to choose from, as it has one of the highest percentages of waterfront homes for sale. The median household income for Westport is $162,907, and the median property value is $1.04 million. The poverty rate is a low 4.7%. As far as housing costs, WalletHub gives a score of 46 (on a scale of 1 to 227). Roughly 85% of the available homes in this town are waterfront property, and 74% of the available homes have a pool.
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