2018’s Best Beach Towns to Live in
2:26 AMPosted by: Richie Bernardo
Living by the beach is the ultimate dream for many Americans. After all, beachside communities often represent a relaxed and luxurious way of life. But few realize their dream of living by the water, precisely because of the misconception that beach towns are relatively more expensive and generally less livable than landlocked cities.
Contrary to popular belief, however, many beach towns are suitable to everyday life — and easy on the wallet. So in order to determine the beach communities that are ideal for making one’s permanent home, WalletHub compared 205 cities across 58 key indicators of livability. We split our comparison into two categories, towns located by the ocean and by lakes. Our data set ranges from housing costs to share of for-sale waterfront homes to quality of beach water.
Main FindingsBest Beach Towns to Live in (Ocean)
Overall Rank (1 = Best) |
City |
Total Score |
‘Affordability’ Rank |
‘Weather’ Rank |
‘Safety’ Rank |
‘Economy’ Rank |
‘Education & Health’ Rank |
‘Quality of Life’ Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lahaina, HI | 64.90 | 4 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 120 | 10 |
2 | Naples, FL | 63.61 | 71 | 112 | 28 | 62 | 33 | 1 |
3 | Sarasota, FL | 61.09 | 31 | 30 | 109 | 85 | 27 | 4 |
4 | Mill Valley, CA | 60.74 | 35 | 49 | 5 | 2 | 41 | 31 |
5 | St. Augustine, FL | 60.66 | 90 | 36 | 103 | 79 | 24 | 3 |
6 | Santa Monica, CA | 60.26 | 157 | 38 | 64 | 20 | 149 | 2 |
7 | Boca Raton, FL | 59.07 | 42 | 13 | 85 | 44 | 49 | 18 |
8 | Kihei, HI | 59.02 | 9 | 25 | 26 | 47 | 122 | 12 |
9 | Westport, CT | 58.99 | 1 | 111 | 24 | 33 | 1 | 120 |
10 | Key West, FL | 58.31 | 98 | 154 | 54 | 19 | 47 | 5 |
11 | Jupiter, FL | 57.63 | 7 | 28 | 89 | 3 | 51 | 76 |
12 | Portland, ME | 57.19 | 85 | 121 | 70 | 52 | 13 | 22 |
13 | Charleston, SC | 57.08 | 81 | 82 | 82 | 14 | 110 | 15 |
14 | Encinitas, CA | 56.93 | 36 | 83 | 39 | 7 | 85 | 40 |
15 | Venice, FL | 56.90 | 52 | 10 | 71 | 38 | 23 | 55 |
16 | Sonoma, CA | 56.68 | 82 | 9 | 41 | 54 | 42 | 33 |
17 | Vero Beach, FL | 56.57 | 103 | 35 | 55 | 118 | 34 | 14 |
18 | Key Biscayne, FL | 55.90 | 70 | 108 | 8 | 66 | 58 | 43 |
19 | Carlsbad, CA | 55.87 | 68 | 84 | 57 | 4 | 80 | 41 |
20 | San Clemente, CA | 55.83 | 34 | 58 | 45 | 21 | 124 | 53 |
21 | Brunswick, ME | 55.77 | 39 | 95 | 12 | 17 | 9 | 96 |
22 | Benicia, CA | 55.75 | 10 | 7 | 32 | 30 | 74 | 102 |
23 | San Mateo, CA | 55.73 | 57 | 29 | 44 | 10 | 100 | 60 |
24 | Newport Beach, CA | 55.72 | 147 | 68 | 52 | 39 | 115 | 16 |
25 | Santa Barbara, CA | 55.62 | 156 | 85 | 73 | 34 | 118 | 8 |
26 | Santa Cruz, CA | 55.13 | 158 | 79 | 112 | 72 | 75 | 6 |
27 | Swampscott, MA | 55.08 | 45 | 134 | 10 | 51 | 10 | 126 |
28 | Atlantic Beach, FL | 55.07 | 22 | 21 | 29 | 112 | 44 | 77 |
29 | Fernandina Beach, FL | 54.75 | 135 | 48 | 17 | 57 | 39 | 51 |
30 | Shorewood, WI | 54.71 | 107 | 93 | 4 | 145 | 18 | 80 |
31 | Destin, FL | 54.66 | 5 | 115 | 110 | 28 | 130 | 23 |
32 | Lake Forest, CA | 54.61 | 97 | 32 | 36 | 45 | 126 | 61 |
33 | Norwalk, CT | 54.52 | 72 | 105 | 30 | 46 | 7 | 117 |
34 | Coronado, CA | 54.52 | 152 | 88 | 13 | 6 | 70 | 32 |
35 | Monterey, CA | 54.50 | 124 | 67 | 93 | 65 | 140 | 11 |
36 | Ocean City, NJ | 54.15 | 134 | 120 | 33 | 125 | 15 | 29 |
37 | Alameda, CA | 54.13 | 129 | 89 | 46 | 11 | 60 | 58 |
38 | North Myrtle Beach, SC | 54.12 | 25 | 8 | 140 | 50 | 139 | 17 |
39 | Hermosa Beach, CA | 54.04 | 108 | 53 | 18 | 9 | 146 | 39 |
40 | San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA | 53.98 | 59 | 140 | 22 | 32 | 69 | 42 |
41 | Edmonds, WA | 53.98 | 101 | 16 | 75 | 16 | 29 | 114 |
42 | Jacksonville Beach, FL | 53.96 | 26 | 56 | 96 | 77 | 40 | 46 |
43 | Palos Verdes Estates, CA | 53.88 | 13 | 132 | 19 | 40 | 145 | 50 |
44 | Satellite Beach, FL | 53.85 | 3 | 72 | 60 | 98 | 67 | 101 |
45 | Dana Point, CA | 53.81 | 119 | 60 | 38 | 88 | 129 | 37 |
46 | Laguna Beach, CA | 53.75 | 155 | 62 | 86 | 53 | 116 | 19 |
47 | Manhattan Beach, CA | 53.62 | 131 | 74 | 34 | 5 | 143 | 54 |
48 | Stuart, FL | 53.61 | 54 | 44 | 100 | 81 | 137 | 26 |
49 | Olympia, WA | 53.42 | 122 | 11 | 117 | 82 | 28 | 36 |
50 | Goleta, CA | 53.41 | 86 | 43 | 47 | 13 | 108 | 91 |
51 | Newburyport, MA | 53.19 | 74 | 142 | 40 | 41 | 11 | 103 |
52 | Daly City, CA | 53.16 | 117 | 26 | 35 | 15 | 102 | 125 |
53 | Seal Beach, CA | 53.16 | 114 | 59 | 48 | 12 | 113 | 75 |
54 | South Portland, ME | 53.15 | 56 | 121 | 78 | 86 | 8 | 87 |
55 | Anacortes, WA | 53.11 | 91 | 78 | 37 | 36 | 82 | 89 |
56 | Coral Gables, FL | 53.11 | 50 | 117 | 62 | 22 | 62 | 45 |
57 | Myrtle Beach, SC | 52.84 | 89 | 5 | 151 | 74 | 144 | 7 |
58 | North Palm Beach, FL | 52.84 | 77 | 47 | 15 | 116 | 43 | 99 |
59 | Redondo Beach, CA | 52.81 | 132 | 73 | 27 | 25 | 147 | 57 |
60 | Rye, NY | 52.72 | 24 | 101 | 3 | 60 | 111 | 128 |
61 | Half Moon Bay, CA | 52.65 | 80 | 31 | 65 | 42 | 98 | 44 |
62 | New Smyrna Beach, FL | 52.53 | 12 | 69 | 106 | 35 | 117 | 63 |
63 | Pensacola, FL | 52.53 | 61 | 76 | 120 | 94 | 57 | 35 |
64 | Milford, CT | 52.47 | 32 | 87 | 42 | 115 | 4 | 137 |
65 | Clearwater, FL | 52.38 | 29 | 42 | 121 | 97 | 52 | 56 |
66 | Stratford, CT | 52.11 | 88 | 125 | 31 | 134 | 2 | 134 |
67 | South Yarmouth, MA | 52.04 | 109 | 75 | 14 | 133 | 6 | 109 |
68 | Cocoa Beach, FL | 51.96 | 2 | 113 | 133 | 123 | 78 | 30 |
69 | Salem, MA | 51.78 | 136 | 139 | 59 | 68 | 14 | 97 |
70 | Port Royal, SC | 51.73 | 47 | 1 | 99 | 84 | 55 | 158 |
71 | Pacific Grove, CA | 51.62 | 106 | 66 | 16 | 27 | 138 | 62 |
72 | Carpinteria, CA | 51.59 | 87 | 77 | 9 | 80 | 114 | 95 |
73 | San Luis Obispo, CA | 51.59 | 160 | 6 | 95 | 106 | 91 | 21 |
74 | Fort Walton Beach, FL | 51.49 | 16 | 109 | 72 | 105 | 134 | 48 |
75 | Miami Beach, FL | 51.44 | 115 | 131 | 142 | 69 | 96 | 9 |
76 | Pacifica, CA | 51.38 | 58 | 27 | 51 | 24 | 97 | 136 |
77 | Kailua, HI | 51.14 | 76 | 104 | 81 | 90 | 160 | 13 |
78 | Newport, RI | 51.09 | 128 | 127 | 68 | 83 | 123 | 28 |
79 | Marina, CA | 51.02 | 37 | 4 | 66 | 92 | 141 | 127 |
80 | East Haven, CT | 51.00 | 104 | 71 | 43 | 132 | 5 | 155 |
81 | Smyrna, DE | 50.96 | 63 | 54 | 50 | 144 | 32 | 111 |
82 | Kapolei, HI | 50.86 | 18 | 18 | 107 | 37 | 125 | 85 |
83 | Marco Island, FL | 50.77 | 17 | 158 | 25 | 93 | 35 | 74 |
84 | Biddeford, ME | 50.76 | 73 | 95 | 108 | 96 | 19 | 118 |
85 | Gulfport, FL | 50.61 | 15 | 61 | 97 | 150 | 48 | 83 |
86 | Ormond Beach, FL | 50.48 | 20 | 40 | 116 | 48 | 121 | 78 |
87 | Fort Myers, FL | 50.46 | 78 | 103 | 147 | 56 | 38 | 25 |
88 | Gloucester, MA | 50.46 | 96 | 144 | 58 | 87 | 12 | 104 |
89 | Port Washington, NY | 50.44 | 33 | 148 | 6 | 64 | 68 | 129 |
90 | Revere, MA | 50.37 | 150 | 135 | 69 | 61 | 16 | 124 |
91 | Dunedin, FL | 50.16 | 44 | 138 | 84 | 107 | 46 | 72 |
92 | Capitola, CA | 50.06 | 115 | 91 | 88 | 59 | 82 | 67 |
93 | Wailuku, HI | 50.00 | 75 | 23 | 1 | 127 | 112 | 68 |
94 | Shoreline, WA | 49.97 | 125 | 98 | 63 | 43 | 31 | 110 |
95 | Bellingham, WA | 49.96 | 144 | 123 | 101 | 101 | 64 | 27 |
96 | Tarpon Springs, FL | 49.95 | 21 | 114 | 115 | 58 | 50 | 105 |
97 | Delray Beach, FL | 49.71 | 112 | 45 | 122 | 91 | 54 | 70 |
98 | Lantana, FL | 49.67 | 8 | 80 | 138 | 114 | 71 | 108 |
99 | Great Neck, NY | 49.37 | 142 | 149 | 79 | 31 | 65 | 47 |
100 | Boynton Beach, FL | 49.31 | 118 | 14 | 132 | 75 | 56 | 84 |
101 | Hampton, VA | 49.26 | 94 | 57 | 56 | 148 | 20 | 140 |
102 | Beaufort, SC | 48.98 | 30 | 1 | 146 | 142 | 72 | 69 |
103 | Eureka, CA | 48.64 | 65 | 3 | 129 | 104 | 107 | 98 |
104 | Hollywood, FL | 48.43 | 123 | 102 | 91 | 103 | 101 | 59 |
105 | Panama City Beach, FL | 48.40 | 60 | 116 | 150 | 23 | 156 | 20 |
106 | Waianae, HI | 48.32 | 38 | 18 | 80 | 108 | 133 | 122 |
107 | Gulf Shores, AL | 48.24 | 14 | 141 | 137 | 18 | 155 | 34 |
108 | Melbourne, FL | 48.20 | 49 | 50 | 139 | 95 | 84 | 100 |
109 | Westerly, RI | 48.16 | 120 | 124 | 76 | 122 | 30 | 82 |
110 | Burien, WA | 48.14 | 143 | 98 | 114 | 26 | 37 | 106 |
111 | Savannah, GA | 48.02 | 137 | 39 | 119 | 137 | 142 | 38 |
112 | New Rochelle, NY | 47.93 | 154 | 92 | 23 | 70 | 128 | 147 |
113 | Hudson, FL | 47.84 | 69 | 107 | 156 | 49 | 79 | 123 |
114 | Hobe Sound, FL | 47.63 | 28 | 34 | 127 | 89 | 136 | 133 |
115 | Lynn, MA | 47.62 | 148 | 137 | 87 | 117 | 17 | 152 |
116 | Morro Bay, CA | 47.52 | 149 | 65 | 20 | 153 | 99 | 79 |
117 | Daytona Beach, FL | 47.41 | 23 | 41 | 148 | 121 | 135 | 52 |
118 | New London, CT | 47.33 | 145 | 126 | 83 | 147 | 3 | 121 |
119 | Lompoc, CA | 47.28 | 130 | 37 | 74 | 124 | 119 | 146 |
120 | Glen Cove, NY | 47.13 | 133 | 152 | 11 | 73 | 88 | 151 |
121 | Bonita Springs, FL | 47.01 | 41 | 155 | 161 | 8 | 36 | 92 |
122 | Hull, MA | 47.01 | 46 | 159 | 21 | 100 | 22 | 144 |
123 | Ewa Beach, HI | 46.95 | 62 | 17 | 105 | 63 | 131 | 138 |
124 | Santa Fe Springs, CA | 46.87 | 43 | 52 | 131 | 120 | 152 | 64 |
125 | Kaneohe, HI | 46.86 | 67 | 18 | 128 | 29 | 127 | 116 |
126 | Ventnor City, NJ | 46.64 | 153 | 130 | 49 | 161 | 26 | 90 |
127 | La Porte, TX | 46.59 | 99 | 90 | 67 | 55 | 154 | 159 |
128 | Jensen Beach, FL | 46.26 | 27 | 100 | 152 | 109 | 132 | 88 |
129 | Wantagh, NY | 45.86 | 55 | 153 | 111 | 67 | 59 | 143 |
130 | Merritt Island, FL | 45.60 | 6 | 63 | 155 | 119 | 76 | 141 |
131 | Fort Pierce, FL | 45.51 | 127 | 22 | 130 | 139 | 63 | 112 |
132 | Dover, DE | 45.49 | 139 | 55 | 135 | 141 | 21 | 119 |
133 | Watsonville, CA | 45.35 | 146 | 33 | 61 | 138 | 93 | 145 |
134 | Malibu, CA | 45.20 | 159 | 136 | 98 | 149 | 148 | 24 |
135 | Ocean Springs, MS | 44.97 | 19 | 110 | 92 | 154 | 158 | 81 |
136 | Richmond, CA | 44.82 | 151 | 86 | 113 | 102 | 66 | 148 |
137 | Warwick, RI | 44.64 | 100 | 129 | 77 | 110 | 153 | 132 |
138 | Hallandale Beach, FL | 44.58 | 121 | 117 | 104 | 140 | 106 | 93 |
139 | Dania Beach, FL | 44.56 | 138 | 117 | 102 | 135 | 104 | 94 |
140 | Lake Worth, FL | 44.53 | 92 | 45 | 143 | 131 | 89 | 107 |
141 | Apollo Beach, FL | 44.51 | 11 | 128 | 156 | 71 | 73 | 154 |
142 | Galveston, TX | 44.47 | 95 | 160 | 90 | 78 | 151 | 71 |
143 | Massapequa, NY | 44.19 | 66 | 156 | 123 | 76 | 61 | 139 |
144 | Spring Hill, FL | 44.07 | 53 | 64 | 159 | 129 | 45 | 156 |
145 | Port Lavaca, TX | 43.98 | 110 | 12 | 94 | 160 | 150 | 153 |
146 | Panama City, FL | 43.76 | 105 | 70 | 136 | 128 | 156 | 66 |
147 | Essex, MD | 43.65 | 93 | 15 | 141 | 157 | 92 | 161 |
148 | Long Beach, NY | 43.62 | 84 | 161 | 7 | 126 | 77 | 142 |
149 | Cocoa, FL | 43.61 | 113 | 51 | 158 | 146 | 90 | 73 |
150 | Navarre, FL | 43.57 | 63 | 94 | 160 | 111 | 105 | 157 |
151 | Riviera Beach, FL | 42.89 | 83 | 80 | 145 | 143 | 53 | 150 |
152 | Asbury Park, NJ | 42.81 | 161 | 150 | 118 | 151 | 25 | 49 |
153 | Hilo, HI | 42.69 | 111 | 106 | 153 | 99 | 159 | 65 |
154 | Babylon, NY | 42.66 | 51 | 157 | 124 | 130 | 86 | 113 |
155 | Stony Brook, NY | 42.43 | 79 | 145 | 124 | 136 | 87 | 135 |
156 | Patchogue, NY | 42.42 | 141 | 146 | 53 | 155 | 103 | 86 |
157 | Mount Sinai, NY | 42.07 | 48 | 143 | 149 | 152 | 81 | 149 |
158 | Biloxi, MS | 41.88 | 40 | 133 | 126 | 113 | 161 | 115 |
159 | Holiday, FL | 40.53 | 126 | 97 | 154 | 159 | 94 | 130 |
160 | Hampton Bays, NY | 39.26 | 102 | 151 | 134 | 158 | 109 | 131 |
161 | Shirley, NY | 37.43 | 140 | 147 | 144 | 156 | 95 | 160 |
Best Beach Towns to Live in (Lake)
Overall Rank (1 = Best) |
City |
Total Score |
‘Affordability’ Rank |
‘Weather’ Rank |
‘Safety’ Rank |
‘Economy’ Rank |
‘Education & Health’ Rank |
‘Quality of Life’ Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Traverse City, MI | 67.92 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 6 | 26 | 1 |
2 | Eden Prairie, MN | 61.31 | 1 | 9 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 26 |
3 | Folsom, CA | 61.12 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 5 | 33 | 5 |
4 | Highland Park, IL | 60.03 | 12 | 32 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 10 |
5 | Mequon, WI | 59.36 | 3 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 23 |
6 | Holland, MI | 58.97 | 14 | 12 | 24 | 14 | 24 | 4 |
7 | Alpena, MI | 58.58 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 30 | 23 | 12 |
8 | Bay Village, OH | 58.40 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 24 | 30 | 31 |
9 | Mercer Island, WA | 58.26 | 29 | 29 | 21 | 3 | 16 | 8 |
10 | Redmond, WA | 57.93 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 1 | 18 | 7 |
11 | Stoughton, WI | 57.56 | 16 | 17 | 4 | 21 | 2 | 32 |
12 | Brookfield, WI | 57.36 | 10 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 10 | 17 |
13 | Rocky River, OH | 57.10 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 31 | 29 |
14 | Duluth, MN | 57.08 | 24 | 10 | 26 | 20 | 4 | 11 |
15 | Pewaukee, WI | 56.95 | 15 | 25 | 5 | 15 | 11 | 22 |
16 | Kirkland, WA | 56.67 | 36 | 29 | 16 | 2 | 19 | 13 |
17 | Gages Lake, IL | 55.02 | 9 | 37 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 27 |
18 | Burlington, VT | 54.07 | 44 | 36 | 20 | 16 | 1 | 6 |
19 | Branson, MO | 52.40 | 25 | 42 | 43 | 19 | 43 | 2 |
20 | South Lake Tahoe, CA | 52.24 | 43 | 23 | 31 | 26 | 32 | 3 |
21 | Plattsburgh, NY | 51.78 | 19 | 20 | 8 | 28 | 36 | 14 |
22 | Loveland, CO | 51.70 | 37 | 33 | 28 | 8 | 14 | 16 |
23 | St. Cloud, FL | 50.46 | 6 | 38 | 14 | 18 | 42 | 24 |
24 | Vermilion, OH | 50.32 | 13 | 11 | 3 | 43 | 35 | 36 |
25 | Laconia, NH | 49.71 | 35 | 19 | 35 | 22 | 6 | 19 |
26 | Lake Havasu City, AZ | 49.67 | 20 | 6 | 29 | 17 | 39 | 18 |
27 | Lee's Summit, MO | 49.63 | 5 | 35 | 19 | 9 | 34 | 43 |
28 | Kenosha, WI | 49.25 | 34 | 28 | 18 | 32 | 12 | 20 |
29 | Oak Creek, WI | 48.99 | 22 | 41 | 22 | 23 | 8 | 39 |
30 | Racine, WI | 47.56 | 38 | 21 | 34 | 31 | 9 | 21 |
31 | Council Bluffs, IA | 47.34 | 23 | 43 | 27 | 27 | 7 | 25 |
32 | Portage, IN | 46.86 | 17 | 22 | 15 | 39 | 25 | 40 |
33 | Ashtabula, OH | 44.98 | 31 | 4 | 38 | 38 | 28 | 38 |
34 | Sebring, FL | 44.58 | 32 | 34 | 37 | 40 | 40 | 9 |
35 | Muskegon, MI | 44.20 | 39 | 8 | 40 | 41 | 27 | 15 |
36 | Oregon, OH | 43.42 | 7 | 40 | 32 | 33 | 41 | 28 |
37 | Port Huron, MI | 43.28 | 30 | 7 | 39 | 35 | 29 | 35 |
38 | Waukegan, IL | 42.67 | 41 | 27 | 25 | 36 | 20 | 41 |
39 | Lakewood, WA | 42.67 | 42 | 15 | 44 | 25 | 22 | 33 |
40 | Michigan City, IN | 42.51 | 27 | 24 | 41 | 34 | 21 | 30 |
41 | Zion, IL | 41.79 | 40 | 26 | 33 | 42 | 17 | 37 |
42 | Lake Elsinore, CA | 41.25 | 28 | 39 | 36 | 29 | 38 | 34 |
43 | Lorain, OH | 40.63 | 33 | 16 | 9 | 44 | 37 | 44 |
44 | Morgan City, LA | 27.98 | 21 | 44 | 42 | 37 | 44 | 42 |
Beach-town life is not for everyone. To help prospective residents make the best decision, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:
- What should people look for in choosing a beach property?
- Is it better to live in a beach town with a large year-round population compared to those with a more seasonal population?
- What affects the value of beach properties over time? How can someone determine if a given property is a good investment for the long term?
- How might beachfront real estate be affected by rising ocean levels due to climate change? Are some areas more vulnerable than others? What can homeowners and/or local authorities do to mitigate potential problems due to climate change?
John C. Dernbach Commonwealth Professor of Environmental Law and Sustainability, Director, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, Widener University Commonwealth Law School
Lawrence “Larry” Colorito Senior Managing Director, Valbridge Property Advisors
Paul Wapner Professor, Global Environmental Politics, School of International Service, American University

How might beachfront real estate be affected by rising ocean levels due to climate change? Are some areas more vulnerable than others? What can homeowners and/or local authorities do to mitigate potential problems due to climate change?
People who own beach front real estate, or are considering the purchase of beach front property, need to think long and hard about how that property may be affected by rising sea levels from climate change. A current and helpful source of information is a report just issued on the effect of sea level rise on coastal property. See https://ift.tt/2KcJ6yh
In this report, the Union of Concerned Scientists used data on chronic coastal flooding as well as data from Zillow, the on-line real estate company, to project that sea level rise in the contiguous U.S. will put 300,000 homes and business properties worth $236 billion at risk of “chronic, disruptive flooding” by 2045. It also projected that 2.5 million properties worth more than $1 trillion in today’s dollars will be at risk of such flooding by 2100.
Where is this property? The report comes with interactive maps that enable you to identify these areas by community and zip code.
Property values in some of these areas are already falling. https://ift.tt/2HEzLNv so if someone wants to buy beach front property and assumes that the value of this property will appreciate over time, that assumption will be wrong in a growing number of places.
Lawrence “Larry” Colorito Senior Managing Director, Valbridge Property Advisors
What should people look for in choosing a beach property?
If you plan to rent it by the week to vacationers, don’t look just at the price but at the return in investment. Larger, better located properties may cost more, but also tend to rent for more & may provide a better return.
Is it better to live in a beach town that has a large year round population compared to those with a more seasonal population?
It depends on what you want. Towns like Va. Beach, that are part of large metro areas tend to offer more career opportunity. You don’t have to retire or rely on just tourism-related jobs. Also, those towns are still active off-season. If it’s a 2nd home or the goal is to retire that may not be as important.
What affects the value of beach properties over time? How can someone determine if a given property is a good investment for the long term?
All real estate markets are cyclical and are impacted by the National and local economy. Beach towns with seasonal population may be especially susceptible to economic downturns. 2nd homes are “wants” not “needs”, and demand can go down quickly when the economy slows.
Paul Wapner Professor, Global Environmental Politics, School of International Service, American University
What should people look for in choosing a beach property?
A place that speaks to their heart and soul. Buying a beach property is to choose to live in the midst of nature - to be vulnerable and amazed by the changing character of sea, sun, moon, stars, and so forth.
Is it better to live in a beach town that has a large year round population compared to those with a more seasonal population?
It depends on what one wants out of the experience. There is no right answer. For those seeking solitude, seasonal populations may provide long periods of quiet and reflection. For those seeking recreation, year-round people will add to the other-than-nature amenities.
What affects the value of beach properties over time? How can someone determine if a given property is a good investment for the long term?
I’m not a financial investor; I’m a professor and lover of nature. A good investment has to do with what will meaningfully enhance one’s life not what will only advance one’s pocketbook (although the two can be connected).
How might beachfront real estate be affected by rising ocean levels due to climate change? Are some areas more vulnerable than others? What can homeowners and/or local authorities do to mitigate potential problems due to climate change?
Rising sea levels will definitely render beachfront properties more vulnerable. As long as insurance companies and the federal government continue to underwrite such properties, homeowners will have some financial support. However, potential homeowners should note that insurance premiums will continue to rise and some types of damage (flooding, etc.) May be uncoverable. Moreover, a number of municipalities are requiring that information about climate change be kept out of discussions with potential beach property buyers. This means that buyers should be particularly careful when evaluating information about broader conditions. On the whole, all the science points to the inevitability of rising sea levels, more intense storms, and other climate-related intensities such that buying beachfront properties is increasingly becoming a gamble.
MethodologyIn order to determine the best beach towns in America, WalletHub compared 205 cities across six key dimensions: 1) Affordability, 2) Weather, 3) Safety, 4) Economy, 5) Education & Health and 6) Quality of Life, splitting the sample into ocean towns and lake towns.
We evaluated those dimensions using 58 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for beach-town living.
Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its total score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.
Our sample includes all cities with populations between 10,000 and 150,000 and at least one beach listed on TripAdvisor. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), the square root of the population was used to calculate the population size in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.
Affordability – Total Points: 14- Housing Costs: Double Weight (~4.00 Points)Note: This is a composite metric calculated as follows: a) Median House Price / Median Annual Household Income b) Median Rent Price / Median Annual Household Income
- Median Household Income: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)Note: This metric was adjusted for the cost of living.
- Median Annual Property Taxes: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Median Real Estate Tax / Median House Price
- Share of For-Sale Waterfront Homes: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
- Share of For-Sale Homes with RV/Boat Parking: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
- Share of For-Sale Homes with Swimming Pools: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
- Weather: Full Weight (~2.33 Points)Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Cities with the Best & Worst Weather” ranking.
- Water Temperature: Full Weight (~2.33 Points)
- Number of Disasters (Since 1953): Full Weight (~2.33 Points)
- Total Disaster Grants Provided per Capita: Full Weight (~2.33 Points)Note: This metric is based on FEMA’s Disaster Housing Assistance data visualization, which shows data from both FEMA’s Individual and Household Program and the Small Business Administration’s Disaster Home Loan Program.
- Flood Risk Level: Full Weight (~2.33 Points)
- Hurricane Storm Surge Risk Level: Full Weight (~2.33 Points)
- Violent Crime Rate: Full Weight (~3.50 Points)
- Property Crime Rate: Full Weight (~3.50 Points)
- Walkability: Full Weight (~3.50 Points)
- Lifeguards per Capita: Full Weight (~3.50 Points)
- Unemployment Rate: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
- Share of Population Living in Poverty: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
- Population Growth: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
- Income Growth: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
- Median Credit Score: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
- Foreclosure Rate: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
- Share of People who Had a Bankruptcy in the Past Year: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
- Quality of School System: Triple Weight (~4.67 Points)Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “States with the Best & Worst School Systems” ranking.
- Share of Insured Population: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
- Quality of Public Hospital System: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)Note: This metric is based on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ ranking of public hospital systems.
- Share of Adults in Poor or Fair Health: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
- Quality of Air: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
- Quality of Drinking Water: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)
- Quality of Beach Water: Full Weight (~1.56 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of received beach-water samples that exceed the Beach Action Value (BAV). BAV is the marine recreational water quality standard used to determine whether bacteria levels are unsafe for water contact. When a single marine water sample has bacteria levels at or above the BAV, a health advisory is issued. Once a health advisory is issued, beach visitors are instructed to avoid water contact until the health advisory is lifted.
- Average Commute Time: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Average Weekly Work Hours: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Number of Attractions: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Diversity of Attractions: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Nightlife Establishments per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Presence on TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Beaches” Ranking: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Restaurants per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Music Venues per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Breweries per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Festivals per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Coffee Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Cinemas per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Swimming Pools per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Public Beaches per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Boat Tours & Water Sports per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Surfing Spots per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Amusement Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Water Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Presence on TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Water Parks” List: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)Note: This metric measures the presence or absence of a city on TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Water Parks” List
- Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Running Trails per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Walking Trails per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Fitness Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Golf Courses per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Tennis Courts per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Beach Volleyball Courts per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
- Number of Shopping Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.07 Points)
Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Association of REALTORS, World Sea Temperature, Federal Emergency Management Agency, ATTOM Data Solutions, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Walk Score, AreaVibes, Renwood RealtyTrac, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, United States Environmental Protection Agency, County Health Rankings, Natural Resources Defense Council, TransUnion, TripAdvisor, Yelp.com, Under Armour and WalletHub research.
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