The Most Affordable Beachfront Cities in the U.S.

Wish you could live on the beach? For many, living by the waterfront feels like a dream — an expensive one at that. However, it doesn’t need to be. Some beachfront cities may be more affordable than you think (though this may also depend on how you define beachfront).

We decided to find out where the lowest cost cities were within 15 miles of the beach are, and we separated this list into two categories: The Most Affordable Oceanfront Cities (for the purists) and The Most Affordable Lakefront Cities (for those willing to be more flexible with their definition of beach).

Click here to see our full list of the most affordable beach towns.

If an ocean is necessary to have a beach house (or, for our purposes, beach apartment) in your mind, then this is the list for you — but keep in mind, cities on the coast tend to be pricier than inland cities, so affordability is a relative term here. Below, we highlight the top 10 least expensive coastal cities to rent a aone-bedroom apartments.

Norfolk, VA

The seaside Southeastern Virginia town of Norfolk packs a punch for its residents. Not only are there plenty of cultural offerings (including art museums, opera houses, and concert venues), but there’s also over 7 miles of free, accessible beaches as well as dozens of parks for nature lovers. From sailing to fishing to kayaking, there’s always something to do in Norfolk. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Norfolk, VAis $1,260 per month. 

Wilmington, NC

You’re never far from the water in Wilmington, NC. There’s multiple beaches within a short drive of the city’s center, as well as the Cape Fear River (check it out by walking along the two-mile river boardwalk!) — so water sports and activities abound. North Carolina’s subtropical climate also causes humid, hot summers, so you’ll appreciate the opportunity to dive into the water. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Wilmington, NC is $1,287 per month.

Tacoma, WA

If you’d like to live on the Puget Sound in Washington without paying Seattle prices, then Tacoma is a great option to consider. Known for its nearby sprawling natural splendor, Tacoma, affectionately known as Grit City, gives you the opportunity to live on the coast close to world class cities while also being a short trip away from Mt. Rainier National Park. Plus, it has exploding arts, music, and food scenes. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Tacoma, WAis $1,345 per month.

Tampa, FL

In Tampa, residents have the benefit of living like they’re on a permanent vacation. The city averages more than 240 sunny days a year as well as a tropical climate. If seeing dolphins on a daily basis is important to you, Tampa is one of the most affordable cities where you can make that dream come true. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Tampa, FL is $1,500 per month.

Bellingham, WA

One of the smallest cities on our list, Bellingham is a hidden gem. Home to 12 of the tallest waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest, well-trafficked whale watching tours, and a robust farm-to-table food scene, Bellingham is a perfect coastal city to check out if you are looking to slow down and smell the espresso while still living close to commerce and employment opportunities. Not to mention, there’s multiple beautiful beaches and state parks not far from town. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Bellingham, WA is $1,500 per month.

Clearwater, FL

Clearwater’s beaches are some of the only ones on this list that could be classified as world famous. In the past, Clearwater Beach has been named one of the best white sand beaches in America — and even the world. This beach is also lined with the renowned Beach Walk, a developed board walk where you can find public art, restaurants, hotels, entertainment, and more. If that wasn’t enough, Clearwater is also thought to have some of the best sunsets in the U.S., too. Just one of the many benefits of the Gulf Coast. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Clearwater, FL is $1,500 per month.

Everett, WA

Boat owners will quickly find a home in Everett. The Port of Everett Marina is the largest public marina on the West Coast, with thousands of slips for powerboats and sailboats. If kayaking is more your speed, you’ll fit right in at the North Sound Sea Kayaking Association as you explore the Puget Sound with your fellow paddlers. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Everett, WA is $1,550 per month.

St. Petersburg, FL

As far as sun goes, you’ll find the best of the best in St. Petersburg. Nicknamed “The Sunshine City” (and located in Florida, the “Sunshine State”), it’s one of the sunniest places in the world — with the Guinness World Record for most consecutive days of sunshine (almost 2 years straight!). There’s also plenty of entertainment, from nightlife to haunted houses to art museums to lauded beaches fed by the Gulf of Mexico. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in St. Petersburg, FL is $1,571 per month.

Virginia Beach, VA

Life in Virginia Beach is like a nonstop party. The Guinness World Record holder for the longest “pleasure beach” (meaning a beach that is filled with attractions for all ages), Virginia Beach is a world-class getaway destination for a reason. It hosts the Neptune Festival, the North American Sandsculpting Competition, the East Coast Surfing Championships, and the Virginia Beach Open for golfers, among other national events. Despite all the foot traffic, the beach also remains one of the cleanest you’ll ever find as it is cleaned by machines every single morning. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Virginia Beach, VA is $1,595 per month.

Hollywood, FL

No, it’s not that Hollywood — but in some ways, it’s quite similar. Like the California neighborhood of the same name, in Hollywood, FL you’ll find warm weather, a jaw-dropping amount of shopping, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and some popular filming destinations for movies and TV. It also has its great beaches going for it, minus the long drive you’d need to take to the waterfront from Hollywood, Los Angeles. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Hollywood, FL is $1,600 per month.

If you’re experiencing sticker shock at some of these coastal cities, we don’t blame you. Luckily, if you’re looking to enjoy the beachfront experience while also having a lower cost of living, you have options. Below, we highlight the top 5 least expensive lakefront cities to rent a one-bedroom apartment.

Toledo, OH

We know what you’re thinking. Toledo isn’t the first image that pops into your mind when you think “beach town.” However, as it’s located on the tip of Lake Erie, it actually offers plenty of waterfront attractions at a fraction of the cost. If you want to stay close, then take a river cruise on the Maumee River — or take a drive a little further out to one of the several sandy beaches offered by Lake Erie. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Toledo, OH is $679 per month.

Green Bay, WI

You’ll find the next few cheapest places to live near the beach in Wisconsin, starting with Green Bay. The city is on the coast of the bay of the same name, which offers waterfront amusement parks, islands to explore, wildlife sanctuaries, bay and river walks, and more — at a relatively low price point. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Green Bay, WI is $899 per month.

Racine, WA

Compared to some other cities on our list, Racine may seem like a small town — but don’t sleep on all it has to offer. Racine, located on the coast of Lake Michigan, has plenty to do. For one, its beach is rated one of the best freshwater beaches in the U.S. because of how clean it is — and if you don’t feel like swimming, you can walk or bike along the nearly 10 mile long Lake Michigan Pathway. The city also has one of the largest contemporary craft art collections in the country, housed at the Racine Art Museum. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Racine, WI is $899 per month.

Milwaukee, WI

Also on the shores of Lake Michigan, you’ll find Milwaukee, the most populous city in Wisconsin. If you’re looking to live in a much larger city with similar lakefront amenities, it’s a great pick — with more robust public transit and bike infrastructure, diverse nightlife options, legendary breweries, and easy access to greenspaces. That’s right, Milwaukee has 140 parks, including the popular Lake Park, designed by the same person who designed Central Park in New York City. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Milwaukee, WIis $986 per month.

Cleveland, OH

Cleveland is the most populous city on the shores of Lake Erie, combining bigger city amenities with easy beachfront access. Edgewater Beach, just one of the beachfront destinations in Cleveland, offers 2,400 feet of swimming, water sports, restaurants, and more. Meanwhile, closer to the city’s center, you’ll find the nationally renowned Cleveland Museum of Art and Cleveland Orchestras, among other cultural landmarks. The best part? All of these amenities come without the steep price tag of similar coastal cities. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Cleveland, OH is $1,084 per month.

Below is the full ranked list of all 48 USA cities that we looked at.

For this report, ApartmentAdvisor analyzed rental listings available on our platform in July 2024, calculating median one-bedroom rent prices in 50+ major U.S. cities within 15 miles of the coast (including the coasts of the Great Lakes). Listings on ApartmentAdvisor come from both small and large property owners and include luxury and non-luxury rental units. Rental data came from ApartmentAdvisor. Population data came from the U.S. Census Bureau.

ApartmentAdvisor also tracks more detailed rental price and inventory data for 100 major cities in the United States, which can be found on our Market Reports page. To learn more about housing costs across the country as well as the national averages for rent prices, refer to our National Rent Report.