News & Trending Mortgage & Loans News

10 Beach Towns Where You Can Still Get a House for Under $250K

A vacation home doesn’t have to be a pipe dream in these affordable beachside locales.

beach houses of myrtle beach
Updated Oct. 1, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

A beach house is a wish-list item, right up there with winning the lottery.

The idea of having a place where you can gather friends and family for vacations year after year is one of those homeowner moves that makes the American dream come to life.

But this doesn’t have to remain a far-off pipe dream. In some beach towns, buying a house for $250,000 or less is still a possibility. Here are 10 affordable beach towns where you can make memories for years to come.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources

Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.

How to become a member today:

  • Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Copper Harbor, Michigan

Kenneth Keifer/Adobe copper harbor lighthouse

Lakes in Michigan have beaches that feel like they might as well be on the ocean. Located on Lake Superior, Copper Harbor is home to Isle Royale National Park, which has incredible water and forest areas to explore.

Copper Harbor is the perfect place to buy a beach house that won’t wreck your financial fitness and lets you truly disconnect — most of the area does not have cellphone service.

Want to learn how to build wealth like the 1%? Sign up for Worthy to get ideas and advice delivered to your inbox.

Gulfport, Mississippi

David/Adobe joseph t. jones educational plaza

Gulfport has 26 miles of white-sand beaches. Although it’s the second-largest city in the state, it's still relatively affordable compared to other beach destinations.

Here, you'll find a lot of entertainment and fresh seafood spots.

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Fotoluminate LLC/Adobe gulf coast beach in mississippi

Ocean Springs is so much more than a beach on Biloxi Bay. There is a vibrant arts scene, a popular microbrewery, and a bustling downtown area.

You can buy an affordable beach house here and enjoy both the beauty of the outdoors and a walkable town.

Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.

If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

Atlantic City, New Jersey

creativefamily/Adobe atlantic city boardwalk

If you love the nightlife, Atlantic City is a great place to focus your search for an affordable beach house.

You will find casinos, gambling, restaurants, and entertainment venues that bring in major national acts.

Grand Isle, Louisiana

Jennifer/Adobe grand isle louisiana beach

Louisiana is known as Sportsman’s Paradise, and that's certainly true of Grand Isle.

This remote beach town is a gem for anglers and birders alike, and the homes are affordable.

Freeport, Texas

Brigitte Thompson/Adobe a serene sunset

Just 50 miles from Houston, Freeport is another great place for those who love to fish.

Buy an affordable beach house here, and make sure you have money left over for a boat. With multiple marinas and boat ramps, this town is a favorite of those looking to go fishing on the Brazos River.

New London, Connecticut

travelview/Adobe new london skyline

New London is the place to be if you want a small-town New England lifestyle at an affordable price.

This old whaling community has everything from museums to beach parks. It’s also home to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Corpus Christi, Texas

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe corpus christi skyline during sunset

You'll never run out of things to do in affordable Corpus Christi, which has everything from an aquarium to an art museum and the South Texas Music Walk of Fame.

Corpus Christi is also known for its deep-sea fishing, with amateur anglers coming in from all over the South to charter boats.

Daytona Beach, Florida

jonbilous/Adobe vacant walkway in daytona beach florida

Thanks to the Daytona 500 motor race, you probably know the name Daytona. But Daytona is also home to gorgeous Florida beaches.

This is a perennially popular place in the Sunshine State thanks to its white sand, clear water, golf, and abundance of kid-friendly activities and commercial areas.

Unlock exclusive entertainment deals and VIP perks (without a credit card)

Ready to take your entertainment and travels to the next level? Experience the finer things in life with the SELECT card.

No, it's not a credit card, it’s an exclusive membership — and your passport to a world of elite benefits and unforgettable moments.

Imagine sipping complimentary cocktails in downtown Manhattan at KYU NYC or saving 20% on the best sushi in Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro.

Like to shop? Members receive VIP discounts like 15% off at Brooks Brothers, and up to 60% off at Tumi.

Enjoy special offers at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Omni Select. For example, you get 15% off at Hyatt Hotels worldwide.

But it’s not just about the hundreds (or thousands) you could save. There are so many features that make you feel like a VIP every day. Like SELECT’s white-glove concierge that assists with bookings, recommendations, or anything you need. And priority access to reservations to some of the year’s hottest events (many not open to the public).

Apply for the SELECT card today

Crescent City, California

Naya Na/Adobe seascape over the green beach

California may have a reputation as one of the most expensive states in the country, but there are still some affordable areas that let you keep more cash in your wallet.

Crescent City is an affordable beach town surrounded by lighthouses, redwoods, and even sea lions. This is a stunning location to find a place by the sea.

Bottom line

EpicStockMedia/Adobe mature couple walking on the beach

If you feel good about your financial situation, investing in a beach town could be a dream come true.

You can rent out the house when you're not using it and hopefully make a profit when you sell someday. This could be a savvy way to save money on travel if the house is located in an area where you vacation often.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details


Author Details

Heather Bien

Heather Bien is a writer covering personal finance and budgeting and how those relate to life, travel, entertaining, and more. With bylines that include The Spruce, Apartment Therapy, and mindbodygreen, she's covered everything from tax tips for freelancers to budgeting hacks to how to get the highest ROI out of your home renovations.