This Small Coastal Town Was Just Named the Most Affordable Place to Buy a Beach House in the U.S.

Many Americans dream of owning a home near or on the ocean, but due to high mortgage rates and rising real estate values, many have put this dream on hold. However, 2024 may be the year to embrace beachfront living as inventory levels of coastal properties are (finally) growing, and some experts expect rates to drop to five percent by the next six months.

So, where should you invest if your budget is limited? According to Realtor.com’s annual list of the most affordable beach towns, potential home buyers should consider Mississippi’s Gulf Shore, famous for its scenic white-sand beaches and abundance of year-round recreational opportunities. 

Pascagoula, a small town of about 22,000, was highlighted for its low median list prices, which stand at $164,900, almost $200,000 less than the current national median home value of $358,734.

“It’s [Pascagoula] located off of two major waterways: the Gulf of Mexico and the Pascagoula River, and offers a lot of fun outdoor activities from fishing off the pier to kayaking in its unimpeded river system to an annual summer music festival,” Realtor.com’s Keith Griffith noted in a press release provided to Travel + Leisure. Griffith added that the town is also a sought-after destination to “work and play” because of its strong manufacturing industry. 

Pascagoula’s main stretch of sand is named after its most prominent resident, the late musician Jimmy Buffett, and is a popular spot with sunbathers. The beach park, which boasts 14 acres along the Gulf of Mexico, also encompasses a fishing pier, a children’s playground with a splash pad, walking trails, picnic areas, and fire pits. 

Realtor.com also noted that the town’s country club has a nine-hole golf course, and its residents and visitors are just a short boat ride away from the beautiful Petit Bois Island, a publicly accessible wilderness area.

New Jersey’s Atlantic City is second on Realtor.com’s list of affordable beach towns. Real estate in the seaside town, which topped the list two years ago, has a median list price of $239,000. Those who dream of owning a vacation home or retiring in the Sunshine State should consider investing in Deerfield Beach, another town that has repeatedly scored high on the list, located along the state’s pristine Atlantic coastline. The median home value in Deerfield Beach is $239,950, according to Realtor.com.

This year’s list of affordable beach towns features destinations in all four corners of the country—from Oregon and Washington to Texas, South Carolina, and Massachusetts.

You can see the full list on realtor.com.