The 10 most affordable beach towns in America REVEALED – and some surprise favorites failed to make the cut

• Some fan favorites, such as North and South Carolina, failed to make the cut 
• Lesser known gems in Texas and Louisiana make a surprise appearance 
• All average home prices are calculated to be less than a mile from the beachfront 

Memorial Day weekend is upon us, marking the official start of summer and the annual migratory influx to beach towns nationwide. 

The most affordable beach towns of 2023 have been unveiled by realtor.com, with some surprise locations making the cut this year. 

Some well-known favorite locations, such as North and South Carolina, failed to make the cut, with some lesser known gems making a surprise appearance. 

The eclectic mix ranges from small communities to bigger cities, across the states from Connecticut to California. 

The data was collected from home listings in the last year that were located within a one-mile radius of each beach. 

The most affordable beach towns of 2023 feature some surprise locations

10. Shirley, New York

Shirley is just a short drive to Outer Beach at Smith Point, one of the barrier islands that make up Fire Island National Seashore

Shirley is an affordable small community on Long Island, with little in common with the more pretentious Hamptons. 

Shirley’s white-sand beaches have something for everyone, from surfers to campers. 

Wildlife lovers will also enjoy close access to the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, home to deer, fox and turtles. 

The picture-perfect homes of the town are just a short drive or long walk to Outer Beach at Smith Point, one of the barrier islands that make up Fire Island National Seashore.  

The average house price within a mile of the beach here is $414,990.

A recent listing offered a four-bedroom home not far from Outer Beach for $350,000. 

9. Crescent City, California

The unspoiled beaches and small town feel with a population of just over 6,000 people are attracting L.A. dwellers to Crescent City

Across the country on the West Coast is Crescent City in California, just 20 miles south of the Oregon border. 

The unspoiled beaches and small town feel, with a population of just over 6,000 people, are attracting L.A. dwellers swapping their busy city lives for a slower pace of life. 

The average house price here is $329,000.

A recent listing for $295,000 gets you a charming 100-year-old property with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a garage. 

8. North Beach, Maryland

North Beach has retained much of its small town charm whilst gaining developments such as a boardwalk

The small town of North Beach was established in 1900, and is just 30 miles south-east from Washington D.C on the Chesapeake Bay.

It was initially founded as a small town for DC and Baltimore residents to escape the city and gain easy access to beautiful beaches. 

It has retained much of its small town charm whilst gaining developments such as a boardwalk with a dedicated bike path and plenty of shops.

The average price here is $384,495 and for $389,000 a recent listing offered a two-bedroom apartment right on the shore. 

7. Navarre, Florida

Navarre is around 20 miles east of Pensacola, just across the Santa Rosa

With an average price of $442,500, Navarre offers excellent value for those that would like to live near the ocean. 

Navarre, has the largest median home size but highest overall home prices on this list.

Around 20 miles east of Pensacola, residents are just across the Santa Rosa Sound and from Santa Rosa Island’s Navarre Beach, enjoying white sands and turquoise waters. 

This two-bedroom condo with its own balcony and access to a pool was recently listed for $450,000 with an enviable location right on the beach.  

6. Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City, with its iconic boardwalk, has ranked as the sixth most affordable beach town

Enshrined in the popular imagination for its casinos and boardwalks, Atlantic City also boasts an abundance of affordable housing as well as long sandy beaches.   

The average price within a mile of the beach is  $185,000, though the properties are smaller than some of the others locales that made the list. 

A recent listing for $169,000 could have got you three bedrooms and a living room with a cozy fire place. 

5. Corpus Christi, Texas

Corpus Christi rests on the Gulf of Mexico, offering active residents jetty fishing, windsurfing, and kite boarding

Corpus Christi offers residents plenty of options from the expansive beaches of Corpus Christi Bay to the more built-up environs of Padre Island. 

The city rests on the Gulf of Mexico, offering active residents jetty fishing, windsurfing, kite boarding among others. 

The average home here costs $289,948 with this recently sold three-bedroom home in the bay priced at $270,000. 

Corpus Christi is the largest city on this year’s list with around 320,000 residents and 192 square miles of shoreline.

4. Grand Isle, Louisiana

Grand Isle is for those looking for the remote living life that enjoy hiking, camping and deep-sea saltwater fishing

With less than 1,000 residents the barrier island of Grand Isle is the smallest town on the list. 

It is connected to mainland Louisiana by a short bridge but those looking for the remote living life have plenty to amuse themselves on the island, from hiking, camping and deep-sea saltwater fishing in the Grand Isle State Park. 

A one-bedroom rustic home on stilts, with a large wrap around veranda recently hit the market for $250,000. 

3. New London, Connecticut

New London boasts miles of sandy beaches, a long boardwalk and plenty to keep you busy

New London is a gem of affordability in an otherwise expensive state for beachfront real estate.

Ocean Beach Park in New London is considered one of the best beaches in the state.  

The town boasts miles of sandy beaches, a long boardwalk and plenty to keep you busy, such as a minigolf course, rides, and a spray park.

A four bedroom home just off Ocean Beach Park was recently on the market for $270,000, just over the average price of $257,000.  

2. Newport News, Virginia

Newport News has a selection of fantastic beaches to its north and east

On the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula by the Chesapeake Bay, Newport News is around 25 miles away from the historic Jamestown. 

Newport News has a selection of beaches from Huntington Beach to its north and King-Lincoln Beach and Anderson’s Beach to its east. 

The town offers everything from fine dining to more traditional fishing and boating, as well as Civil War reenactments.

The average price of a home here is $200,000 with this three-bedroom condo with access to a private beach currently available for just $150,000. 

1. Gulfport, Mississippi

Halfway between the border with Louisiana and Alabama Gulfport has an extensive 26 miles of beach

The number one most affordable beach town this year is Gulfport, Mississippi. 

The average price of a home in this picturesque town is $224,900, offering an excellent $144 per square foot for homes within a mile from the beach.

Halfway between the border with Louisiana and Alabama this Gulf of Mexico town has an extensive 26 miles of beach. 

Gulfport is medium-sized with 72,000 residents giving it a small community feel with the excitement of a larger city including a range of famous Southern cuisine. 

For $225,000, buyers can find an apartment with a porch and modern renovations just a five-minute walk to the beach. 

Source: Read Full Article