Which beach destinations in the United States are the cheapest?
A trip to the beach can become very expensive very quickly, especially if you opt to stay in an ocean-front hotel or rental property.
But the cheapest places for an ocean-front stay are revealed in a new study from Upgraded Points.
The methodology of this study included analyzing the average nightly rental home price (based on Airbnb data), the average nightly hotel price, and the average price of a weeklong stay in the destination.
One thing that many destinations have in common is that they’re located on the Gulf Coast, which is known for nice beaches at a lower cost.
These are the cheapest beach towns in the United States:
1. Cedar Key, Florida
Cedar Key, Florida comes in at number one on this ranking due to the affordability of a beach-front stay. The average nightly price of a rental home on the beach is $189, and the average nightly price of a beachfront hotel is $191.
The total cost for a weeklong stay is approximately $1,330.
Cedar Key is a small island in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a quaint, laidback Old Florida beach town about one hour south of Gainesville.
2. Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Another cheap beach destination in the United States is Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Many people don’t think of Mississippi as a beach destination, but this Southern state has a significant stretch of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico.
The average cost of a weeklong stay in Ocean Springs is $1,491.
Other Gulf Coast destinations in Mississippi like Biloxi and Gulfport offer affordable beach stays.
3. Ocean Shores, Washington
Ocean Shores, Washington is not the kind of beach destination where you go to relax in the sun or swim in the ocean. It’s located on the rugged Olympic Peninsula of Washington on the Pacific Ocean, so it can be very cold and windy.
However, what it does have going for it is its proximity to Olympic National Park. The stunning natural beauty of one of the best national parks in the Pacific Northwest is less than an hour away.
The average price for a weeklong stay in Ocean Shores is $1,995.
4. Port Aransas, Texas
Another cheap U.S. beach destination is Port Aransas, Texas. Port Aransas is located on Mustang Island on the Gulf Coast of Texas.
It’s affordable, with the average cost of a weeklong vacation coming in at $2,048.
Located in southern Texas, Port Aransas is known for its great Gulf Coast beaches and wildlife like dolphins, making it a popular vacation destination.
5. Galveston, Texas
Finally, another Texas city comes in for the fifth spot on this ranking of the cheapest U.S. beach destinations. Galveston is an island city on the Gulf Coast of Texas, located about one hour from Houston.
It’s a popular destination with beaches, a pier and boardwalk, amusement parks, and other entertainment.
The average cost for a weeklong stay in Galveston is $2,058.
Most Expensive Beach Destinations
Curious about the most expensive beach destinations in the United States? These are the places where a beachfront stay will cost you the most money.
Unsurprisingly, the top three spots are in the Hamptons, an exclusive beach destination on Long Island that’s a popular summer getaway for wealthy New Yorkers.
- Montauk, New York ($6,454 per week)
- Southampton, New York ($6,391 per week)
- East Hampton, New York ($6,178 per week)
- Malibu, California ($6,150 per week)
- Folly Beach, South Carolina ($5,943 per week)
Have you stayed at any of these beach destinations? Do you agree or disagree with these rankings?
