Summary
- The USA has many expensive beach destinations like The Hamptons and Hilton Head, but there are also affordable American beach towns perfect for a budget-friendly getaway.
- Grayland in Washington, Coos Bay in Oregon, and Ventura in California are among the most affordable beach towns in the US with picturesque coastlines and affordable accommodations and attractions.
- Other budget US beach towns include Daytona Beach and Pensacola in Florida, Brunswick in Georgia, Savannah in Georgia, Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, Freeport in Texas, and Biloxi in Mississippi. These towns offer affordable accommodations, beautiful beaches, and plenty of attractions to explore.
Some of the USA's best beach towns include popular hot spots like The Hamptons in New York, Miami, Florida, and Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, and for good reason. These incredible beach destinations in America offer picturesque oceanfront views, pristine beaches, and a luxurious feel, making them perfect for a quick weekend getaway or an extended vacation spent lounging on the shores.
However, visiting lush areas like these often comes at a steep price. For example, just one week spent in The Hamptons for two can run upwards of $3,000, as per Budget Trip. And Hilton Head is even more costly at more than $3,400.
Thankfully, visiting a beautiful beach destination doesn't have to be expensive because there are a number of adorable beach towns in the US that are nestled on sandy shores, be it rivers and lakes or oceans, allowing wanderlust adventurers to plan travel for cheap while still taking advantage of a shimmering water view. These are among the cheapest places in the US with beaches to visit for a budget-friendly waterside getaway.
10 Grayland, Washington
Washington is a nature lover's dream, and its coastal town of Grayland is no different. Featuring lush state parks and plenty of coastlines, it's a dreamy yet affordable beach destination in the US any time of year.
- Budget-friendly accommodations: Holiday Motel, Mariners Cove Inn, and Arena del Mar
- Affordable attractions: Twin Harbors State Park, Westport Dunes, Grayland Beach State Park, the Cranberry Museum, and Mallard Slough
9 Coos Bay, Oregon
There are a number of West Coast beaches that promise cheap vacations, and Oregon's Coos Bay is definitely one of them.
The charming town is definitely one of the best things to do on the Oregon Coast, offering visitors a variety of outdoor adventures and plenty of museums to explore
- Budget-friendly accommodations: Motel 6 Coos Bay, Global Inn, and Red Lion Hotel Coos Bay
- Affordable attractions: Coos History Museum, Mingus Park, Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay Boardwalk, and Oregon Coast Historical Railway
One of the most affordable US beach towns on this list, the average daily price for travel-related expenses to Coos Bay is about $64 per day per Budget Your Trip.
8 Ventura, California
A hidden gem on California's coast, Ventura is not only affordable but beyond picture-perfect, from its extraordinary coastline to its nearby green spaces.
Located about 70 miles north of Los Angeles, the sleepy suburb is well worth the visit.
- Budget-friendly accommodations: Rodeway Inn and Travelers Beach Inn
- Affordable attractions: Ventura Beach, Two Trees, Arroyo Verde Park, Ventura Botanical Gardens, and Surfers Point at Seaside Park
Be sure to visit Ventura's charming downtown district, which has adorable boutiques, restaurants, and museums, as well as the historic Mission Basilica San Buenaventura 1782.
7 Daytona Beach, Florida
Cheap US beach towns can also be found on the other side of the country, with myriad East Coast beaches that promise a cheap vacation, including the popular surfing spot of Daytona Beach in Florida.
Nestled on Florida's Atlantic Coast, the city is also home to a national forest, which is perfect for an afternoon of hiking.
- Budget-friendly accommodations: Host Inn, Motel 6 Daytona Beach - Fl - Speedway, and Boardwalk Inn and Suites
- Affordable attractions: Daytona Beach Main Street Pier, Tiger Bay State Forest, Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens, and Sun Splash Park
6 Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida, is affordable and teeming with adventure, from its nature preserves to its bay views.
Located in the westernmost region of the Florida Panhandle, the city is also home to numerous historical sites and museums that visitors on a budget can enjoy.
- Budget-friendly accommodations: Garden Inn and Suites, OYO Hotel Pensacola I-10 & Hwy 29, and Hotel Pensacola
- Affordable attractions: Bay Bluffs Park, The Graffiti Bridge, Historic Pensacola Village, and Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
5 Brunswick, Georgia
For an inexpensive trip to the Peach State, a getaway to Brunswick is in order; it offers some of the cheapest beach vacations in the US that history buffs will also enjoy.
Located on the southeast coast of Georgia, the small town is rich in history and Southern charm, featuring numerous historical sites, monuments, and parks.
- Budget-friendly accommodations: Woodspring Suites Brunswick, Motel 6 Brunswick Ga, and SureStay Hotel by Best Western Brunswick
- Affordable attractions: Lover's Oak, Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Blythe Island Regional Park, Jekyll Island (nearby), and Fort Frederica National Monument (nearby)
4 Savannah, Georgia
Another Georgia peach, Savannah, has a variety of river beaches that offer plenty of sandy shores to explore.
With a low cost of living, which is 10 percent lower than the national average, the city is also very affordable and is teeming with exciting excursions, from its interesting museums and botanical gardens to its lush parks and river views.
- Budget-friendly accommodations: Quality Inn Savannah I-95, Inn at Mulberry Grove, and Ramada by Wyndham Savannah Gateway
- Affordable attractions: Coffee Bluff Marina, Pin Point Heritage Museum, Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm, and Oatland Island Wildlife Center
3 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Despite being a resort town, South Carolina's Myrtle Beach is a surprisingly affordable US beach vacation destination.
Nestled on the Atlantic Coast, the city has plenty of ocean views with easy access to beaches and nature spaces like the nearby Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge and Brookgreen Gardens.
- Budget-friendly accommodations: Coral Beach Resort Hotel & Suites, Gazebo Inn Oceanfront, and Boardwalk Beach Resort
- Affordable attractions: Gardens By The Sea, Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge (nearby), and Brookgreen Gardens (nearby)
2 Freeport, Texas
Everything's bigger in Texas, except maybe prices, because the city of Freeport is an affordable getaway perfect for beach strolls along the Gulf of Mexico.
Featuring a suburban feel, the city has a low cost of living and plenty of access to shores, from bays and harbors to lakes and beaches.
- Budget-friendly accommodations: Days Inn by Wyndham Freeport and Baymont by Wyndham Freeport Texas
- Affordable attractions: Freeport Beach, Bryan Beach, Lake Jackson Freeport Beach, Surfside Jetty County Park, Brazos River, and Freeport Historical Museum and Visitor Center
1 Biloxi, Mississippi
Home of the iconic Biloxi Beach, this Mississippi beach town is brimming with unforgettable experiences.
In addition to the famous beach, fantastic outdoor adventures are located nearby, including Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge and Davis Bayou Area Gulf Islands National Seashore.
- Budget-friendly accommodations: Red Roof Inn Gulfport - Biloxi Airport, Bayfront Inn Biloxi, and Super 8 by Wyndham Gulfport Biloxi Airport
- Affordable attractions: Biloxi River Marshes Coastal Preserve, Mullet Lake, Big Lake, Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, Biloxi Lighthouse, and Biloxi Bay Bridge
Biloxi's cost of living is 16 percent lower than the national average, and is one of the most affordable beach towns in the country.