The Most Affordable Beach Towns for Homebuyers in 2026
Feb 9, 2026
Buying a beach home is easily seen as a luxury reserved for only high-income buyers. However, many U.S. coastal areas offer surprisingly affordable homes and reasonable prices to interested buyers without the perceived premium costs. While national housing prices have generally risen, certain beach towns continue to offer reasonably priced homes without sacrificing access to the shoreline and local amenities.
Pascagoula, Mississippi (Gulf Coast)
Pascagoula has a median home price of about $142,000, with a housing stock comprising single-family homes and older waterfront homes. The walkable downtown, local amenities, quiet beaches, and small community provide coastal living and a laid-back community-style lifestyle, which is practical for year-round residents.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Atlantic SC Coast)
The median home price in Myrtle Beach ranges from $310,000 to $320,000. Oceanfront condos, new-construction suburban tracts, and golf course villas make this a major tourism hub with a mild, quiet winter off-season. It is ideal for retirees and second-home buyers who want a relaxed lifestyle while still staying active.
Atlantic City, New Jersey (Atlantic Coast, NJ)
Modest single- and multi-family homes within a few blocks of the beach mark the landscape of Atlantic City. It also offers a median home price of $214,905 and easy access to Atlantic Ocean beaches, urban infrastructures, and boardwalk amenities. This makes it an ideal choice for budget-conscious buyers looking for a beach townhome on the East Coast.
Corpus Christi, Texas (Gulf Coast)
The median home price in Corpus Christi is approximately $218,000. Housing styles include ranch-style homes, cottages, and some condos. The city combines a strong local economy with affordable living, coastal recreation, and a steady housing supply to residents. This makes it a practical choice for budget-minded home seekers looking for affordable coastal living.
Deerfield Beach, Florida (Gulf Coast)
With a median home price of $271,000, this beach town offers predominantly high-rise condos and over-55 community apartments as well as ranch-style homes and cottages. The town offers a peaceful atmosphere, alongside a popular fishing pier and an award-winning beach, making it an ideal choice for second-home buyers.
Jacksonville, North Carolina (Atlantic Coast)
Jacksonville's median home price of about $251,000 is affordable and primarily includes townhomes and single-family cottages. As a military town near Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville offers a relaxed small-town atmosphere with coastal access, providing affordable beach living for military families, retirees, and others seeking an accessible coastal lifestyle.
Daytona Beach, Florida (Atlantic Coast)
Daytona Beach's median home prices average about $250,000, which is below the national average. The housing market comprises inland single-family properties and waterfront condos. Daytona's association with motor sports, year-round festivals, and 23 miles of beach access makes it attractive to seasonal renters and permanent residents.
Fort Walton Beach, Florida (Atlantic Coast)
Homes in Fort Walton Beach are affordable, with a median price of about $315,000, 14% below the national average. The nearby Eglin Air Force Base adds a strong military presence, while the white sand beaches and emerald waters make Fort Walton Beach an attractive choice for tourists, military families, and seasonal residents.
Gulfport, Mississippi (Gulf Coast)
Gulfport offers a mix of older cottages, small condos, and ranch-style homes, with a median price of approximately $197,000. Its appeal lies in the port and regional economy, as well as the opportunity for Gulf coastal living without the inflated resort-like pricing.
Port Arthur, Texas (Gulf Coast)
Port Arthur is an industrial port city and another affordable beach town on the Gulf Coast. The median home price here is about $117,000. This town has a working-class appeal, with a low cost of living and affordable, modest-sized family homes that make it accessible for buyers with modest incomes.
Fort Pierce, Florida (Atlantic Coast)
According to the recent listing index, the typical home value in Fort Pierce is about $273,000. The housing market includes a mix of smaller homes, single-family homes, and condos or townhomes, from one-bedroom units to larger rooms. Fort Pierce offers a relatively lower cost of living compared to other coastal towns in Florida.
Pensacola, Florida (Gulf Coast)
Pensacola, Florida, offers a mix of condos, single-family homes, and townhomes with typical values of about $260,000. The town is a relatively accessible option for coastal home buyers due to its diverse housing supply, moderate cost of living, and availability of smaller and older properties, which help to keep entry costs acceptable.
Eureka, California (Pacific Coast)
Eureka's diverse housing stock includes modest single-family houses and smaller units. The median home price is around $410,000, which may be higher than many coastal towns but is lower than other California coastal towns that offer entry-level homes without luxury premiums. Eureka is distinct, cool, and misty, and is surrounded by Redwood forests.
Ocean Shores, Washington (Pacific Coast)
Ocean Shores, Washington, is located on a peninsula with lakes and canals, and it offers moderately affordable Pacific coastal living with a median home price of around $344,000. The rainy climate helps keep prices lower. The area features manufactured homes, A-frame cabins, and newer single-family builds, many of which enjoy water access.
Port Lavaca, Texas (Gulf Coast)
With its location, Port Lavaca offers accessible and affordable homes with a median value of under $200,000 on the Gulf Coast. The town attracts kayakers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those seeking a quieter lifestyle, and it is especially popular with birdwatchers, due to its location along a major migratory flyway. The town features coastal and single-family properties, making it affordable for persons seeking affordable beach property options in a relaxed setting.
Is Affordability the Same as Low Cost of Living?
Affordability and cost of living are related concepts, but are not the same. Homebuying affordability considers both the upfront costs and the ongoing expenses of purchasing a home. This includes the sale price, insurance, and mortgage payments. For example, a town with low home prices can still be financially challenging if insurance costs are high, local wages are low, or property taxes increase rapidly.
Cost of living, on the other hand, refers to a wider range of everyday expenses, including groceries, healthcare, services, utilities, and transportation. A location can be affordable to purchase but expensive to live in. For example, a beach town with affordable homes may have high insurance premiums or costly utilities, which can increase residents' monthly budgets.
Affordable beach houses can be found across the U.S., offering buyers the chance to enjoy coastal living without the high costs associated with luxury properties. However, median home prices vary widely by region - from under $150,000 in Gulf Coast cities like Pascagoula and Port Arthur to around $250,000-$320,000 in parts of Florida and roughly $410,000 in Eureka, California. Affordability is influenced not only by the home prices but also by the type of available houses, including condos, older homes, and smaller single-family properties.
Market trends, property taxes, insurance, and local wages also influence housing affordability, making some towns very budget-friendly despite their coastal locations. It is important to note that coastal living is not universally expensive, as buyers can find affordable beach markets when considering local housing availability, regional economic factors, and long-term costs of ownership.