These 15 Beachside Communities Are Beautiful and Less Expensive Than You Think

If you’ve ever dreamed of living in a beachside community, but the costs put you off, we’ve got good news for you. It turns out, there are plenty of coastal areas that won’t break the bank.

The United States is expansive, and with two sprawling coasts plus the Gulf of Mexico providing waterfront properties, there are plenty of coastal and beachfront communities just waiting for you to move in.

According to real estate records, these are some of the most affordable options in the country if you desire a waterfront property or community.

1. Charleston, South Carolina

If you enjoy culture and arts, you’ll feel right at home in Charleston. There are multiple beaches nearby, though Charleston isn’t right on the beach, which lands it on this list. However, it’s 100% worth the visit and even to live there for its old-world charm.

The average home price in Charleston is around $600,000. You can find rentals for approximately $1,700.

2. Ocean Pines, Maryland

Head up the East Coast to Ocean Pines, located in Ocean City. This is a boardwalk beach town, with plenty of things to do and enjoy in a small-town atmosphere. You can eat, shop, and enjoy the nine-mile stretch of beaches in your downtime.

The average rental price of Ocean Pines is around $1,700 per month, while the median home cost is approximately $400,000.

3. Bremerton, Washington

Located fairly close to Seattle, Bremerton is costly to live in, but not nearly as much as some of the beach communities in the country. Bremerton offers an escape from the busy city environment and one of its major draws is its Arts District.

You can expect to pay around $1,800 per month for rent or buy a home for around $475,000.

4. Eureka, California

Eureka! There’s actually a California coastal town that won’t break the bank. But, there’s a reason for this. The weather isn’t exactly ideal for sunbathing on those low-key days. It’s often cold and damp, but it has a stunning historic downtown district.

Houses here cost an average of $425,000 and rent hovers around $1,500.

5. Middle River, Maryland

Middle River is known for its rivers and state parks, as well as its coastal region. There is an abundance of outdoor activities available here. One of the reasons it landed on this list is that it’s not nearly as popular as other coastal regions in the state.

The median sale price of homes in Middle River is $335,000 and apartments tend to go for around $1,400.

6. Galveston, Texas

They say everything’s bigger in Texas, but that’s not the case for living costs in Galveston, a huge beach community on the Gulf of Mexico often in the news during hurricane season. The area has a very lively nightlife and is very active, drawing tourists to the region.

You can expect to find homes for sale for $340,000 and apartments for rent for around $1,300.

7. Port Angeles, Washington

If you love the small-town atmosphere, you’ll find it in Port Angeles, the Olympic Peninsula’s largest city. You’ll find an abundance of nature here from the rainforest to rivers and waterfalls, and of course, beaches.

Rent prices in Port Angeles vary but come in at a median of $1,500. Homes are listed for sale at an average of $445,000.

8. Coos Bay, Oregon

Continuing on the West Coast, we have Coos Bay, which is known for its stunning water and mountain views. There’s not very much to do here, but the landscape and affordable means of living make it worth it.

The average rental is around $1,600 while homes typically sell for a median price of $330,000.

9. Hilo, Hawaii

If you want a really tropical area, where better to move to than Hawaii? Located on the Big Island, Hilo is one of the most affordable areas in the state, but you’ll pay for that perk with more active tsunami and volcano threats.

Here you can expect to pay around $1,660 for rent and $440,000 to buy a home.

10. Port Arthur, Texas

Port Arthur was founded in the late 1800s and was well-known for its oil refineries. Today, people visit for the history and the water sports like kayaking, fishing, and swimming.

Living in Port Arthur isn’t expensive, either, considering its proximity to the water. The average home value is around $155,000 and people can rent for an average of $1,000 per month.

11. Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

One of the gulf states, Mississippi is home to some gorgeous beaches. The temperate climate and white sands draw tourists in every year.

This beach community does lack the arts and culture many others do, but if you’re in it for pure relaxation and a calm way of life with shops and eateries in abundance, it’s a great place to live. Houses here cost an average of $240,000 or you can rent for under $1,000.

12. Daytona Beach, Florida

A very popular tourist destination, it’s surprisingly cheap to live in Daytona Beach. Millions of people flock here each year for spring break and festivals, and who could forget the NASCAR opening race, the Daytona 500?

Homes here cost an average of around $260,000 and rent will set you back around $1,200 to $1,700 per month.

13. Gulf Shores, Alabama

Given the cost of living in Alabama is relatively cheap, it should come as no surprise that living in Gulf Shores is a little bit more expensive. Living here means a long commute to work because of its location, but the white sand beaches, wharf, shopping and eating make up for it.

Rent in Gulf Shores is an average of $1,200 per month. Homes are a bit higher priced at around $460,000, but still reasonable for a beach community.

14. Fort Pierce, Florida

Fort Pierce is located between Port St. Lucie and Vero Beach. One of the reasons why Fort Pierce may be cheaper is the fact that it’s relatively isolated, with not much to do except eat and enjoy water sports or outdoor activities.

The median rental price in Fort Pierce is approximately $1,600 per month, while homes will set you back an average of $300,000.

15. Pensacola, Florida

Located in Florida’s panhandle, Pensacola has a lower cost of living than many of the state’s beachside communities, thanks, in part, to low property taxes. However, despite hurricane threats, there’s a lot to do here and it’s easy to travel to other beach communities.

Rental prices for apartments hover around $1,500 and homes sell for an average of $320,000.

Bonus: Mastic Beach, New York

Mastic Beach is one of the more expensive beachside communities on our list, but considering it’s just 40 minutes from the Hamptons, it’s worth mentioning.

For a robust area, the median home price is only just over $400,000, or you can rent for around $3,000 per month. Here, you’ll find plenty of historical landmarks and places to eat, plus there’s a national wildlife refuge.