Key Points:
- Many retirees would love to settle down in a beach town but fear the high living costs would be too taxing for their budget.
- Some seaside communities still offer a laid-back coastal lifestyle at an affordable price.
- This article identifies towns that offer essential services and lower costs of living alongside close proximity to the ocean.
Retiring near the beach is a dream many people share, but the high price tags of coastal living can make such a lifestyle seem out of reach. Many popular beach destinations come with high housing costs and elevated daily expenses in exchange for oceanfront homes and waterfront communities. Fortunately, there are still beach towns across the United States where retirees can enjoy coastal views and warm weather without maxing out their budgets.
Some of the most affordable beach towns combine lower housing prices with smaller populations, laid-back atmospheres, and easy access to outdoor recreation. These communities are located in a wide range of areas, from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic shoreline. They offer retirees a chance to enjoy seaside living without throwing caution to the wind. For those hoping to trade city bustle for ocean breezes, these destinations may offer the perfect balance of affordability and coastal charm.
Using data from a range of sources, 24/7 Wall St. identified the beach towns outside of the Sun Belt where the most Americans can retire comfortably. We reviewed data on cost of living and home prices in each U.S. county that shares a border with either the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean — either directly or on an estuary. Only counties in the continental U.S., outside of the Sun Belt, with housing markets that are more affordable than average were considered. Counties are ranked on estimated regional price parity — a measure of the cost of living relative to the national average — with data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Supplemental population data are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey.
This post was updated on March 11, 2026.
Why It Matters
For those set on living near the coast in retirement, choosing an affordable beach town can make a significant difference in the level of lifestyle comfort on a fixed income. Coastal communities often come with higher housing costs, insurance premiums, and everyday expenses, which can quickly drain retirement savings. By identifying towns that offer essential services and lower costs of living alongside close proximity to the ocean, beach-loving retirees can find the ideal location for them. They’ll be able to live the lifestyle they’ve dreamed about without putting extreme pressure on their finances.
20. New Castle County, Delaware
- Est. cost of living: 1.3% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $409,950 ($15,000 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,918 square feet (83 sq. ft. larger than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 1,410
- Retirement age population: 90,904 (15.9% of total population)
- Total population: 570,567
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
19. Atlantic County, New Jersey
- Est. cost of living: 3.0% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $399,950 ($25,000 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,538 square feet (297 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 1,585
- Retirement age population: 49,851 (18.2% of total population)
- Total population: 274,339
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
18. Cumberland County, New Jersey
- Est. cost of living: 3.5% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $299,850 ($125,100 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,554 square feet (281 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 500
- Retirement age population: 23,622 (15.4% of total population)
- Total population: 153,588
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
17. Kent County, Delaware
- Est. cost of living: 4.1% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $408,000 ($16,950 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,978 square feet (143 sq. ft. larger than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 756
- Retirement age population: 31,687 (17.4% of total population)
- Total population: 182,400
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
16. Norfolk city, Virginia
- Est. cost of living: 4.3% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $330,838 ($94,112 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,700 square feet (135 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 545
- Retirement age population: 28,652 (12.1% of total population)
- Total population: 236,973
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
15. Salem County, New Jersey
- Est. cost of living: 4.4% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $302,500 ($122,450 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,783 square feet (52 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 288
- Retirement age population: 12,162 (18.8% of total population)
- Total population: 64,840
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
14. Newport News city, Virginia
- Est. cost of living: 4.8% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $292,450 ($132,500 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,600 square feet (235 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 403
- Retirement age population: 24,096 (13.0% of total population)
- Total population: 185,118
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
13. Hampton city, Virginia
- Est. cost of living: 5.4% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $285,000 ($139,950 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,540 square feet (295 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 339
- Retirement age population: 21,548 (15.7% of total population)
- Total population: 137,217
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
12. Grays Harbor County, Washington
- Est. cost of living: 5.5% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $399,900 ($25,050 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,498 square feet (337 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 582
- Retirement age population: 16,678 (22.0% of total population)
- Total population: 75,672
- Coastline: Pacific Ocean
11. Portsmouth city, Virginia
- Est. cost of living: 5.7% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $271,000 ($153,950 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,585 square feet (250 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 302
- Retirement age population: 14,633 (15.0% of total population)
- Total population: 97,384
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
10. Gloucester County, Virginia
- Est. cost of living: 6.5% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $420,975 ($3,975 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 2,040 square feet (205 sq. ft. larger than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 138
- Retirement age population: 7,546 (19.4% of total population)
- Total population: 38,875
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
9. Richmond County, Virginia
- Est. cost of living: 7.5% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $343,200 ($81,750 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,752 square feet (83 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 39
- Retirement age population: 1,794 (20.0% of total population)
- Total population: 8,968
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
8. Pacific County, Washington
- Est. cost of living: 7.6% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $415,125 ($9,825 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,518 square feet (317 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 257
- Retirement age population: 7,587 (32.4% of total population)
- Total population: 23,396
- Coastline: Pacific Ocean
7. Wicomico County, Maryland
- Est. cost of living: 8.5% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $300,000 ($124,950 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,661 square feet (174 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 365
- Retirement age population: 16,510 (15.9% of total population)
- Total population: 103,815
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
6. Westmoreland County, Virginia
- Est. cost of living: 8.6% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $349,450 ($75,500 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,502 square feet (333 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 215
- Retirement age population: 4,750 (25.7% of total population)
- Total population: 18,480
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
5. Essex County, Virginia
- Est. cost of living: 9.0% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $359,325 ($65,625 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,682 square feet (153 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 79
- Retirement age population: 2,490 (23.5% of total population)
- Total population: 10,602
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
4. Dorchester County, Maryland
- Est. cost of living: 10.7% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $304,473 ($120,477 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,666 square feet (169 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 225
- Retirement age population: 6,972 (21.4% of total population)
- Total population: 32,557
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
3. Washington County, Maine
- Est. cost of living: 10.8% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $315,500 ($109,450 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,493 square feet (342 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 286
- Retirement age population: 7,750 (24.9% of total population)
- Total population: 31,096
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
2. Accomack County, Virginia
- Est. cost of living: 12.1% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $339,000 ($85,950 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,596 square feet (239 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 275
- Retirement age population: 8,281 (24.8% of total population)
- Total population: 33,367
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
1. Somerset County, Maryland
- Est. cost of living: 12.1% less expensive than national average
- Median home list price; Oct. 2024: $276,000 ($148,950 less than national median list price)
- Median size of a listed home in Oct. 2024: 1,528 square feet (307 sq. ft. smaller than national median)
- Number of homes for sale in Oct. 2024: 143
- Retirement age population: 4,209 (17.1% of total population)
- Total population: 24,672
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
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