For many, the idea of moving to the beach can feel like a far off fantasy. But turns out, that doesn’t have to be the case. and certain towns are even more affordable than others.
The town of Chincoteague, Virginia, is the most livable beach town in the United States, according to a new study that was shared with Travel + Leisure by Oregon Generators, which sells solar panels and battery backup systems. That is thanks to the barrier island’s relatively low home prices (the average is $641,751), very low crime rate, low unemployment rate, and average commute coming in at just over 21 minutes.
All the practical appeal of the Virginia town doesn’t reduce its overall charm: the town serves as a gateway to Assateague Island, where travelers can find the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and its famous wild horses. Beyond the ponies, travelers can enjoy fishing, kayaking, endless beaches, bird watching, and more.
“Chincoteague’s appeal goes beyond wild ponies and pristine beaches,” Corey Gilgan, the owner of Oregon Generators, said of the top spot on the list. “The community has invested in reliable infrastructure, which is exactly what you want when you’re dealing with coastal weather patterns.”
Beyond Chincoteague, South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach was the second-most livable beach town with a median rent of $1,804. That was followed by Oregon’s Cannon Beach, a pricier option where average home prices top more than $1.3 million, but lauded for its great year-round weather and relatively low crime index.
The Florida cities of St. Augustine and Sanibel Island rounded out the top five, known for their short average commute times of 21.6 minutes and 17.6 minutes, respectively.
To come up with its list, Oregon Generators examined several factors, including home prices, safety, weather, and quality of life for 35 popular beach towns. The company used data from real estate websites like Zillow and Realtor to find beach towns that offered a good balance of affordability and quality of life.
This is the full list of the top 10 livable beach towns in the U.S., including the average cost of a home in each.
1. Chincoteague, Virginia: $641,751
2. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: $636,840
3. Cannon Beach, Oregon: $1,337,817
4. St. Augustine, Florida: $573,513
5. Sanibel Island, Florida: $ 984,480
6. Gulf Shores, Alabama: $881,266
7. Tybee Island, Georgia: $1,170,863
8. Rockport, Texas: $550,150
9. Anna Maria Island, Florida: $ 2,453,580
10. Edisto, South Carolina: $ 1,147,856
