The dream of owning a home by the sea is not as out of reach as you think.
For many Americans, the dream of owning a beach house is a powerful one, but the astronomical real estate prices in famous coastal towns have turned that dream into a fantasy. The reality is that if you are willing to look beyond the trendy, high-end hotspots, there are still a number of beautiful and charming coastal towns across the country where a home with an ocean view doesn’t require a seven-figure income.
These are the hidden gems where the sound of the waves is not drowned out by the sound of the cash register.
1. Gulfport, Mississippi is a gem of the Gulf Coast.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is one of the most underrated and affordable stretches of coastline in the entire country, and Gulfport is its vibrant heart. The city has beautiful, white-sand beaches, a lively and growing downtown, and a cost of living that is well below the national average, as mentioned at Realtor. You can find charming, historic homes just a short walk from the beach for a fraction of the price of a similar home in Florida.
The area has been beautifully rebuilt since Hurricane Katrina, and it offers a fantastic and incredibly budget-friendly coastal lifestyle with a rich cultural heritage.
2. Port Aransas, Texas is a funky and laid-back fishing town.
Located on Mustang Island, just a short drive from Corpus Christi, Port Aransas is a classic, unpretentious Texas beach town. It is a place that is much more focused on fishing, birdwatching, and relaxing on the beach than it is on high-end luxury. The town has a quirky, laid-back vibe and is famous for its long, drivable beaches, according to House Beautiful.
The real estate here is still surprisingly affordable, especially for a new-construction home that is built to withstand the coastal weather. It’s a perfect choice for someone looking for a fun and casual beach town experience.
3. Crescent City, California is a rare, affordable coastal town.
Finding an affordable beach house anywhere in my home state of California is like finding a needle in a haystack, but the far northern coast still has a few hidden gems, and Crescent City is one of them. Nestled among the giant redwood trees and a dramatic, rocky coastline, the town offers a much more rugged and wild coastal experience than Southern California, the New York Post reported.
Because of its remote location, the real estate prices here are a world away from the insanity of the rest of the state. It’s a perfect spot for someone who loves the dramatic beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
4. Westport, Washington is a rugged Pacific paradise.
For those who love a wilder, more dramatic coastline, the town of Westport, Washington, is a fantastic and very affordable option. This is a real, working fishing town that is also a major hub for surfing and storm watching on the Pacific coast. The beaches here are vast, windswept, and incredibly beautiful, backed by rolling dunes.
The town has a down-to-earth, unpretentious vibe, and you can find a small, classic beach cabin for a price that would be unthinkable in most other coastal states. It is a perfect spot for someone who loves a rugged and moody coastal environment.
5. Chincoteague, Virginia is famous for its wild ponies.
Located on Virginia’s beautiful and undeveloped Eastern Shore, the island of Chincoteague is a charming and unique coastal town. It is the gateway to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to the world-famous herd of wild ponies that are the subject of the classic children’s book “Misty of Chincoteague.” The island has a quiet, old-fashioned charm.
The real estate on the island is still relatively affordable, especially compared to the more crowded beach towns in Maryland and Delaware. It’s a perfect place for a peaceful, nature-focused coastal life.
6. Mexico Beach, Florida is a resilient Panhandle town.
Located on the “Forgotten Coast” of the Florida Panhandle, Mexico Beach is a small, quiet town that was devastated by Hurricane Michael but has been steadily rebuilding. The town has a strict building code that prohibits high-rise condos, which has helped it to maintain its charming, old-Florida, small-town feel. The beaches are beautiful and uncrowded.
The rebuilding process has created a lot of new and resilient housing stock, and the prices are still very reasonable compared to the more famous destinations in the Panhandle, like Destin or Seaside. It’s a chance to be a part of a community’s comeback.
7. Grand Isle, Louisiana is a unique barrier island community.
For a truly unique and rustic coastal experience, the barrier island of Grand Isle is Louisiana’s only inhabited beach town. This is not a manicured resort town; it is a real, working fishing community that is also a paradise for birdwatching and fishing. The island has a laid-back, “end-of-the-road” feel that is completely unique.
The real estate here consists mostly of classic, raised “fish camps” and beach houses that are incredibly affordable. It’s a place for someone who wants a no-frills, authentic coastal lifestyle that is deeply connected to the sea.
8. Dauphin Island, Alabama is another Gulf Coast bargain.
Just south of Mobile, Dauphin Island is a beautiful and very laid-back barrier island that is known for its pristine, white-sand beaches and its incredible birdwatching, as it is a major stop on the migratory bird route. The island has a strict “no chain” ordinance, which has helped it to maintain its local, small-town character.
The real estate on the island is much more affordable than on the nearby Florida or Alabama coasts. It is a perfect choice for someone who wants a quiet, peaceful, and nature-focused beach lifestyle on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.
9. Lubec, Maine is the easternmost town in the U.S.
For those who love a rugged, New England coastline, the town of Lubec is a remote and beautiful hidden gem. As the easternmost town in the entire United States, it has a wild, end-of-the-world feel. The town is home to the iconic, red-and-white-striped West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and is surrounded by dramatic, rocky cliffs and beautiful, secluded coves.
Because of its remote location, the cost of a classic, seaside home here is a fraction of what you would pay in the more popular coastal towns of southern Maine. It’s a perfect spot for someone seeking true peace and quiet.
10. Long Beach Peninsula, Washington has miles of sandy shores.
Stretching for 28 miles, the Long Beach Peninsula in southwestern Washington is one of the longest continuous beaches in the United States. The peninsula is home to a string of small, unpretentious beach towns, like Long Beach and Ocean Park, that offer a very affordable and family-friendly coastal lifestyle. The beaches are famous for being wide, flat, and drivable.
You can find a variety of affordable real estate options here, from small, classic beach cabins to new-construction homes. It is a perfect destination for someone who wants a classic, no-frills beach town experience on the beautiful and rugged Washington coast.
11. Moclips, Washington is a tiny, quiet coastal retreat.
For a truly quiet and remote coastal escape, the tiny, unincorporated community of Moclips on the Washington coast is a perfect choice. This is not a town with a lot of amenities; it is a place for people who are seeking true peace, quiet, and a deep connection to the wild and powerful Pacific Ocean. The beach is a wide, sandy expanse that is perfect for storm watching and beachcombing.
The real estate in this small community is some of the most affordable on the entire West Coast. It is the perfect place to find a small, rustic cabin with an incredible ocean view.