Many people dream of living on the water. It often doesn’t even matter where, as long as the views are spectacular and the water clean. Many people like beach homes in warm climates, which is a major reason Americans move to states like Florida. Others like winter sports and have beach homes in places like northern Michigan. Some people have beach homes on lakes. Others prefer homes on the ocean.
Air filter company Filter King set out to find the best cities to own a beach home. In its Beach House Hotspots, the company considered several factors. Among them were home prices, one-year home price increases, average maximum temperature, air quality, and rainfall. Airbnb rental data was also considered. Based on these factors, the best place in America to own a beach house is Galveston, Texas.
As Filter King’s puts it: “Beaches remain one of the most popular vacation destinations, and whether you go for the sun, sand, sea, or simply the fresh air, everyone loves a trip to the seaside.” If you want a good return on your investment, this is the best place to buy a vacation home.
Locations were rated on a scale from 1 to 10. Not surprisingly, most of the best locations were along the Atlantic, in Florida and the Gulf states, including Alabama and Texas.
The best location for beach houses, Galveston, Texas, scored a rating of 7.64. Ironically, Galveston is the location of the most devastating hurricane in U.S. history. The Great Galveston Hurricane killed as many as 8,000 people in August 1900. Fortunately, early warning systems make sudden hurricane fatalities much less likely. However, Galveston remains in a section of the Gulf endangered every year by huge storms. These are the most powerful hurricanes of all time.
Click here to see the best place to own a beach house
50. Ocean Shores, Washington
> Beach hot spot score: 5.7
> Average home price: $275,503
> Average 1-year home price increase: 19.2%
> Average annual low temperature: 44ËšF
[in-text-ad]
Source: Janine M.Moore / iStock via Getty Images
49. Eureka, California
> Beach hot spot score: 5.8
> Average home price: $343,929
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.5%
> Average annual low temperature: 46.1ËšF
Â
48. Eastham, Massachusetts
> Beach hot spot score: 5.8
> Average home price: $585,692
> Average 1-year home price increase: 20.3%
> Average annual low temperature: 44.1ËšF
Â
47. Port Angeles, Washington
> Beach hot spot score: 5.9
> Average home price: $331,294
> Average 1-year home price increase: 15.3%
> Average annual low temperature: 40.7ËšF
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Photo Italia LLC / Getty Images
Â
46. Mystic, Connecticut
> Beach hot spot score: 5.9
> Average home price: $420,550
> Average 1-year home price increase: 20.6%
> Average annual low temperature: 42ËšF
Source: Oliver Kawwass / Getty Images
45. Virginia Beach, Virginia
> Beach hot spot score: 5.9
> Average home price: $326,160
> Average 1-year home price increase: 10.8%
> Average annual low temperature: 50.7ËšF
[in-text-ad]
Source: Pete Marovich / Getty Images
Â
44. Isle of Palms, South Carolina
> Beach hot spot score: 5.9
> Average home price: $965,995
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.3%
> Average annual low temperature: 57ËšF
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
Â
43. Captiva Island, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.0
> Average home price: $1,309,301
> Average 1-year home price increase: 8.2%
> Average annual low temperature: 65.5ËšF
Source: Gary Tognoni / iStock via Getty Images
42. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
> Beach hot spot score: 6.0
> Average home price: $1,053,949
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.3%
> Average annual low temperature: 53.8ËšF
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Eric Thayer / Getty Images News via Getty Images
Â
41. Ocean City, Maryland
> Beach hot spot score: 6.2
> Average home price: $322,507
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.6%
> Average annual low temperature: 45.9ËšF
Source: Meinzahn / Getty Images
40. Wilmington, North Carolina
> Beach hot spot score: 6.3
> Average home price: $280,177
> Average 1-year home price increase: 9.8%
> Average annual low temperature: 53.8ËšF
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kenneth_Keifer / iStock via Getty Images
Â
39. Palm Coast, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.3
> Average home price: $262,508
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.0%
> Average annual low temperature: 60.5ËšF
Source: Meinzahn / Getty Images
38. Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
> Beach hot spot score: 6.3
> Average home price: $151,326
> Average 1-year home price increase: 6.5%
> Average annual low temperature: 59ËšF
Source: DaveMcDPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
37. Biloxi, Mississippi
> Beach hot spot score: 6.3
> Average home price: $168,003
> Average 1-year home price increase: 8.4%
> Average annual low temperature: 59.9ËšF
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
36. Gulfport, Mississippi
> Beach hot spot score: 6.3
> Average home price: $144,323
> Average 1-year home price increase: 8.8%
> Average annual low temperature: 58.4ËšF
Source: segawa7 / iStock via Getty Images
35. Kailua Kona, Hawaii
> Beach hot spot score: 6.4
> Average home price: $618,335
> Average 1-year home price increase: 10.1%
> Average annual low temperature: 63.3ËšF
[in-text-ad]
Source: Ron_Thomas / Getty Images
34. Long Beach, California
> Beach hot spot score: 6.4
> Average home price: $706,199
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.1%
> Average annual low temperature: 55.4ËšF
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Mario Tama / Getty Images
Â
33. Ocean Springs, Mississippi
> Beach hot spot score: 6.4
> Average home price: $191,739
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.4%
> Average annual low temperature: 61ËšF
Source: brucemaloneatx / iStock via Getty Images
32. Freeport, Texas
> Beach hot spot score: 6.5
> Average home price: $117,891
> Average 1-year home price increase: 8.2%
> Average annual low temperature: 61.9ËšF
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: mdulieu / iStock via Getty Images
31. Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
> Beach hot spot score: 6.5
> Average home price: $312,397
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.8%
> Average annual low temperature: 56.3ËšF
Source: spfeifle1 / iStock via Getty Images
30. Carolina Beach, North Carolina
> Beach hot spot score: 6.5
> Average home price: $393,594
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.5%
> Average annual low temperature: 53.8ËšF
[in-text-ad]
Source: Mariakray / iStock via Getty Images
29. Clearwater Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.6
> Average home price: $607,837
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.2%
> Average annual low temperature: 63.9ËšF
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
Â
28. Sanibel, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.6
> Average home price: $847,656
> Average 1-year home price increase: 8.7%
> Average annual low temperature: 65.5ËšF
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
Â
27. Dauphin Island, Alabama
> Beach hot spot score: 6.7
> Average home price: $361,057
> Average 1-year home price increase: 16.2%
> Average annual low temperature: 63.4ËšF
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
26. Port Aransas, Texas
> Beach hot spot score: 6.7
> Average home price: $448,523
> Average 1-year home price increase: 7.1%
> Average annual low temperature: 67ËšF
Source: Chris Graythen / Getty Images
Â
25. Navarre, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.8
> Average home price: $320,333
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.7%
> Average annual low temperature: 59.2ËšF
[in-text-ad]
Source: BERKO85 / iStock via Getty Images
24. Pensacola Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.8
> Average home price: $387,124
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.6%
> Average annual low temperature: 60.3ËšF
Source: dosecreative / Getty Images
23. Vero Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.8
> Average home price: $255,064
> Average 1-year home price increase: 8.5%
> Average annual low temperature: 64.6ËšF
Source: CampPhoto / Getty Images
22. Fort Walton Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.8
> Average home price: $266,863
> Average 1-year home price increase: 13.2%
> Average annual low temperature: 59ËšF
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: ghornephoto / Getty Images
21. Destin, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.8
> Average home price: $475,606
> Average 1-year home price increase: 10.1%
> Average annual low temperature: 61.4ËšF
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
20. Daytona Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.8
> Average home price: $188,224
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.0%
> Average annual low temperature: 61.7ËšF
[in-text-ad]
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
19. Hilton Head, South Carolina
> Beach hot spot score: 6.9
> Average home price: $491,346
> Average 1-year home price increase: 12.1%
> Average annual low temperature: 55.9ËšF
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Marina113 / iStock via Getty Images
Â
18. Cocoa Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.9
> Average home price: $377,095
> Average 1-year home price increase: 10.8%
> Average annual low temperature: 63ËšF
Â
17. Paia, Hawaii
> Beach hot spot score: 6.9
> Average home price: $875,884
> Average 1-year home price increase: 6.5%
> Average annual low temperature: 67.4ËšF
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: BobPalosaari / iStock via Getty Images
16. Fort Myers Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 6.9
> Average home price: $497,546
> Average 1-year home price increase: 9.4%
> Average annual low temperature: 65.5ËšF
Source: ferrantraite / Getty Images
15. Key West, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.0
> Average home price: $736,275
> Average 1-year home price increase: 5.8%
> Average annual low temperature: 73.1ËšF
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
14. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
> Beach hot spot score: 7.0
> Average home price: $211,524
> Average 1-year home price increase: 9.6%
> Average annual low temperature: 52.2ËšF
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Thomas_Kelley / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Â
13. Melbourne, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.0
> Average home price: $268,159
> Average 1-year home price increase: 11.6%
> Average annual low temperature: 63.7ËšF
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
12. Port Arthur, Texas
> Beach hot spot score: 7.0
> Average home price: $71,428
> Average 1-year home price increase: 13.8%
> Average annual low temperature: 59.7ËšF
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images
11. Deerfield Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.2
> Average home price: $211,774
> Average 1-year home price increase: 9.0%
> Average annual low temperature: 68ËšF
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
Â
10. Miami Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.2
> Average home price: $391,555
> Average 1-year home price increase: 3.9%
> Average annual low temperature: 68.1ËšF
[in-text-ad]
Source: CrackerClips / Getty Images
9. Corpus Christi, Texas
> Beach hot spot score: 7.3
> Average home price: $183,073
> Average 1-year home price increase: 9.1%
> Average annual low temperature: 63.2ËšF
Source: Stephen Wood / iStock via Getty Images
8. Fort Pierce, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.3
> Average home price: $193,493
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.3%
> Average annual low temperature: 67ËšF
Source: AnnaGodfrey / iStock via Getty Images
7. Lahaina, Hawaii
> Beach hot spot score: 7.3
> Average home price: $801,009
> Average 1-year home price increase: 4.9%
> Average annual low temperature: 66.4ËšF
[in-text-ad-2]
Â
6. Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.4
> Average home price: $669,577
> Average 1-year home price increase: 15.1%
> Average annual low temperature: 68.5ËšF
Source: Veni / E+ via Getty Images
5. Gulf Shores, Alabama
> Beach hot spot score: 7.4
> Average home price: $323,708
> Average 1-year home price increase: 17.4%
> Average annual low temperature: 63ËšF
[in-text-ad]
Source: ablokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
4. Miramar Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.4
> Average home price: $497,865
> Average 1-year home price increase: 12.0%
> Average annual low temperature: 68.5ËšF
Source: benedek / Getty Images
3. Panama City Beach, Florida
> Beach hot spot score: 7.5
> Average home price: $347,974
> Average 1-year home price increase: 7.3%
> Average annual low temperature: 61ËšF
Source: George Dodd / iStock via Getty Images
Â
2. Orange Beach, Alabama
> Beach hot spot score: 7.5
> Average home price: $381,555
> Average 1-year home price increase: 21.9%
> Average annual low temperature: 59ËšF
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: kat-co / Getty Images
1. Galveston, Texas
> Beach hot spot score: 7.6
> Average home price: $263,954
> Average 1-year home price increase: 14.7%
> Average annual low temperature: 65.3ËšF
Essential Tips for Investing: Sponsored
A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
