Best Places to Buy or Rent a Summer Beach House
/granite-web-prod/12/f4/12f42436f59e43389d906e97dfe7f2a3.jpeg)
Dreaming of the summer sun? We feel you. Everyone needs to get away from it all sometimes, and renting or buying a beach house is one of the best ways to get some much-needed rest and relaxation. Buying a beach house is also a smart financial move, as you can rent it out the rest of the year.
Choosing the best place to buy a beach house is a big undertaking, but it's well within your reach. From the cheapest places to buy a beach to the most picturesque, this list will help you zone in on where you'd like to start your new summer tradition.
25. Orange Beach, Alabama
/granite-web-prod/13/ed/13edda59528d4e1cbc4dcf198cf79dbf.jpeg)
Population: 6,483
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $400,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $60 per night
Bottom line: Southern hospitality isn't the first thing that pops into most people's minds when they think of beach house vacations, but that's exactly what you'll get in Orange Beach, Alabama.
The quaint town is home to Waterville USA waterpark, nature trails and enough water sports to keep you busy all day long.
Note: Rankings are based on the average cost to rent a beach house per night, from lowest to highest.
24. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
/granite-web-prod/65/9a/659a9d302d464edcb57812e7d9e90bce.jpeg)
Population: 36,459
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $150,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $68
Bottom line: One of the biggest tourist destinations on the South Atlantic Coast, Myrtle Beach is the go-to beach house destination for seafood lovers.
There's no shortage of top-of-the-line seafood eateries, plus sprawling beaches, manicured golf courses and fantastic outlet shopping.
23. Fort Walton Beach, Florida
/granite-web-prod/c1/9b/c19bfa04df4349b7b187ab98d76ccb87.jpeg)
Population: 23,093
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $250,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $80
Bottom line: Fort Walton is one of the least expensive places to rent or buy a beach house, but you can't tell by looking at it. It has miles of soft, powdery sand to play in plus all the usual beachy attractions.
It's in between Pensacola and Panama City, so there's no shortage of exploration options.
22. Galveston, Texas
/granite-web-prod/08/50/08505317064147329aed1cf27bb4eb79.jpeg)
Population: 50,546
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $330,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $91
Bottom line: If you fancy a beach house on an island, Galveston might be your dream destination.Located on the upper coast of the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston, Texas, sits on an island about 2 miles off the mainland.
The town features a historic pier, an amusement park and an aquarium, plus plenty of beaches to explore.
21. Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
/granite-web-prod/09/b5/09b578a5dc0348efa2e0a4ecbc2ae2d0.jpeg)
Population: 734
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $200,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $92
Bottom line: Ocean Isle Beach is North Carolina's favorite family-friendly beach house destination.
The beautiful white sand beaches and numerous summer attractions are a hit for kids, and the prices are surprisingly affordable.
While you're there, don't forget to collect a few sand dollars.
20. Virginia Beach, Virginia
/granite-web-prod/eb/8a/eb8a56b005b94f129e1b1806baf251c5.jpeg)
Population: 1,477,000
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $300,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $95
Bottom line: Virginia Beach just might be the best vacation spot in all of Virginia.
Beach houses there are affordable, and visitors rave about the legendary boardwalk by the beach.
It's 28-feet wide and three miles long with a bike path, restaurants and museums along the way.
19. New Smyrna Beach, Florida
/granite-web-prod/c6/62/c662dc2199154aa89efdf68e3d985d9e.jpeg)
Population: 29,217
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $450,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $99 per night
Bottom line: About a half-hour south of Daytona, New Smyrna Beach is one of the top weekend vacation destinations for Central Florida residents.
Lots of beach houses in the seaside town are owned by weekenders who enjoy the white sand beaches and sunny skies on their days off.
While you're there, explore Canal Street to find lots of thriving restaurants, shops and a unique art district.
18. Hilton Head, South Carolina
/granite-web-prod/4a/66/4a663505d9214577b9f900567e700147.jpeg)
Population: 39,907
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $300,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $100
Bottom line: Another beach house paradise on an island, Hilton Head is about 20 miles away from Savannah, Georgia, and 95 miles from Charleston, South Carolina.
It's an ideal vacation destination for anyone who loves golf and sunbathing in the same weekend.
There are nearly 60 miles of bike trails, too.
17. Destin, Florida
/granite-web-prod/7f/11/7f11a8fc7e594ecfa5fd5b9f48214f6d.jpeg)
Population: 14,655
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $400,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $120
Bottom line: If you were wondering why the waters of Florida are known as the "Emerald Coast," just stop by Destin.
The waters around the small town are a crystal clear shade of emerald green, covering miles upon miles of shallow, sunny beaches.
The town started as a fishing village, but it now has the largest fleet of fishing ships in the state. It doubles as one of the top spots for beach houses.
16. Holden Beach, North Carolina
/granite-web-prod/73/96/73964f74fa0c45c4887ab8aade36e778.jpeg)
Population: 692
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $300,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $128
Bottom line: Holden Beach is one of those beach house destinations that'll make everyone happy. It's a natural crowd-pleaser.
The number of restaurants in the area is ridiculous, with specialties like grilled shrimp burgers and fresh-caught fare from the local seafood market.
The beaches are filled with treasures like shark teeth and shells, and there are plenty of accessible watersport rentals right along the water.
15. Cannon Beach, Oregon
/granite-web-prod/75/2b/752bc2b6f43b441a907966fceb484f8f.jpeg)
Population: 1,775
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $800,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $135
Bottom line: Ever seen a picture of a stunningly colorful sunset behind the biggest ocean boulder you've ever seen? That was probably taken at Cannon Beach.
Cannon Beach is home to the famous Haystack Rock. Soaring 235 feet above the waters of the Oregon Coast, Haystack Rock is one of the most unique geographical features on this list. In fact, Cannon Beach is so striking that National Geographic once listed it as one of the world's 100 most beautiful places.
It's one of the most beautiful places to own a beach house, too.
14. Santa Barbara, California
/granite-web-prod/47/15/4715225b56ea4c5b9ddaace4a7151ce3.jpeg)
Population: 91,686
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $1,500,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $150
Bottom line: Santa Barbara is upscale, yet laid-back. Santa Barbara beach houses don't come cheap, but they're worth it.
Visit Stearns Wharf, the oldest working pier in the state, play volleyball, rent a bike, paddle-board and more.
13. Cocoa Beach, Florida
/granite-web-prod/a8/48/a848f807b8fc485fb3944a35c316a5c3.jpeg)
Population: 11,705
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $400,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $150
Bottom line: Cocoa Beach, another great Florida beach house spot, has a little of everything.
Historic Cocoa Village has both upscale restaurants and casual shopping, plus live music on weekends and all through the summer.
On the beach, go surfing, boogie boarding or even parasailing.
12. Long Beach, California
/granite-web-prod/d1/8e/d18e0fd4d66d43948b86e3a21f588a03.jpeg)
Population: 463,218
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $500,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $150
Bottom line: Long Beach, California is a major port town with tons of thriving businesses and plenty to do. The city features the Aquarium of the Pacific, nationally known theaters and a mall, plus plenty of beachy restaurants and bars.
Mother's Beach is particularly fun for families, with calm waters and a playground right on the shore. Long Beach is less expensive than most other Southern California beach towns, which is a big plus if you're in the market for a beach house.
11. Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
/granite-web-prod/7b/34/7b340dde82204912805a26c331ff4f09.jpeg)
Population: 17,213
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $460,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $150
Bottom line: Have you noticed a pattern here? Florida is a pretty hot spot for beach houses.
Santa Rosa Beach is one of the biggest beach towns in the area, and it's also one of the most luxurious.
The dining is a bit more upscale than some other destinations in Florida, and the beach houses are next level.
10. Long Beach, Mississippi
/granite-web-prod/7a/d2/7ad2976d24e54d46bdbf9cdcb957503b.jpeg)
Population: 16,359
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $200,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $150
Bottom line: Long Beach, Mississippi, is a small town that packs a big punch.
Beach houses in the area have a front-row seat to the Mississippi Sound on the Gulf Coast, and travelers can enjoy a surprising number of shops and restaurants for such a small city.
9. Santa Cruz, California
/granite-web-prod/1d/70/1d70203a34974ba0920d86bb28e17098.jpeg)
Population: 64,538
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $1,000,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $170
Bottom line: Santa Cruz is about 75 miles away from San Francisco on the north side of Monterey Bay. Santa Cruz is home to UC Santa Cruz and is viewed as a hub of university culture and art.
It has decidedly bohemian vibes throughout the city, but even if that's not your speed, it's the perfect spot for a beach house getaway.
The climate is warm and dry from June to August, and the beaches are some of the most beautiful on the Pacific Coast.
8. Delray Beach, Florida
/granite-web-prod/bb/4e/bb4e784ff44942da83c4ef6ef8f93f4f.jpeg)
Population: 70,001
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $200,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $180
Bottom line: Del Ray Beach is the most popular beach house resort town in Florida. It's not very big, but it's teeming with life.
It was named the "most fun small town in America" by two different magazines, and it's not hard to see why.
There's sun, sand, nightlife and family-friendly festivals to keep the kids amused throughout your vacay.
7. Provincetown, Massachusetts
/granite-web-prod/6a/64/6a64d428394b4c9cba767b49fe8a388d.jpeg)
Population: 2,947
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $800,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $200
Bottom line: This is one of the smallest destinations to buy or rent a beach house, but don't underestimate Provincetown.
The coastal resort city is a hub of art, tourism and inclusivity. In recent years, it's become a favorite destination of the LGBTQ+ community.
It's small, but it's the most popular place to stay in Cape Cod.
6. Sunset Beach, North Carolina
/granite-web-prod/5d/b7/5db76af32c894089b28f848ee4c65dfe.jpeg)
Population: 4,197
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $550,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $200
Bottom line: Sunset Beach is a glorious little island. It's the southernmost one of North Carolina's barrier islands, and it has by far the best beach.
Some families have been visiting Sunset Beach every year for decades, enjoying the quiet beach and miles of grassy marshland.
It's more of a quaint, natural retreat than a party destination, but for families, it's the perfect place to start an annual beach house tradition.
5. La Jolla, California
/granite-web-prod/94/45/9445f58615044263bb4fb52157f41c21.jpeg)
Population: 38,168
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $800,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $200
Bottom line: La Jolla, California, is a hilly beach town along the sunny, Southern California coast. The city is so beautiful that it has become known as the "jewel" of San Diego.
The rugged cliffsides and sandy beaches are to die for. There's no shortage of activities in the area, either, with kayaking, surfing, biking and just about every other summer activity you can think of.
4. Montauk, New York
/granite-web-prod/c7/8e/c78e1b51d9864adbad88923077114df1.jpeg)
Population: 3,685
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $2,000,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $250
Bottom line: Montauk, located in East Hampton on Long Island, is famous for its historic lighthouse. Montauk Point Light was the first lighthouse in the state, and the beach town remains a bright spot on the list of vacation destinations.
It has been used as a military base before, but it's also an amazing place to surf and kayak.
3. Bethany Beach, Delaware
/granite-web-prod/cb/ba/cbba4750f04b4773b4c1776fd8eb3ed9.jpeg)
Population: 1,293
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $800,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $250
Bottom line: If you're on a quest for bustling nightlife, look elsewhere.
Bethany Beach is like the laid-back aunt of beach house getaways. It's the place to go to unwind and recharge.
Walk on the quiet boardwalk and grab lunch while you stroll on the shore.
2. Avila Beach, California
/granite-web-prod/f4/a4/f4a41bc1902a4dce81cbc4a9448e8907.jpeg)
Population: 1,311
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $1,500,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $260
Bottom line: Hidden away in a sheltered nook of the San Luis Obispo Bay, Avila Beach is as relaxing as it gets.
While you're staying at your beach house, go wine tasting at a local winery, take a dip in natural hot springs or rent a kayak at one of the many beaches.
Alternatively, you can keep things simple, order takeout and sit on the deck to watch the sunset.
1. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
/granite-web-prod/fb/09/fb09bb16bf1b4b93913cb4333ee15bb7.jpeg)
Population: 3,803
Avg. cost to buy beach house: $2,000,000
Avg. cost to rent beach house: $300
Bottom line: Of all the beachy escapes in the U.S., Carmel-by-the-Sea is the most romantic. Its beaches resemble something out of a mermaid movie, complete with rocky archways and aquamarine tidepools.
The streets are shaded by trees and lined with cottages straight from a storybook. It's only fitting that a beach house there is on the expensive side.
Related:Best Small Beach Towns in the U.S.