13 Beach Cities It's Getting Easier to Buy | Blog | Isabel Rawson

13 Beach Cities Where It’s Getting Easier To Buy a Home—and Possibly Cheaper, Too

Are you a beach bum or the ultimate urbanite? If you answered “both”—and you’re looking to buy a home—you’re in luck.

Turns out, 13 of the nation’s largest housing markets not only offer the best of both worlds—sand and surf combined with big-city living—but they’re also serving up more homes for sale than a year ago, according to a recent Realtor.com report. More homes generally means less competition from other buyers, which can ultimately lead to lower prices.

That also means that home shoppers—those who are coming off that dreamy summer vacation and wondering how to score their own slice of paradise without compromising access to city amenities—can possibly strike a deal right now.

Why are waterfront cities seeing so many more listings than last year?

“The return-to-office trend is definitely playing a role,” says Ron Myers, president of Ron Buys Florida Homes. “During the height of remote work, many people relocated to beach towns for lifestyle reasons. But now they’re choosing to sell as they get called back to the office, which is contributing to the growing number of listings.”

Regardless of the reason, it’s good news for homebuyers who want their slice of paradise in a beach city. (For this analysis, Realtor.com defined a “beach city” as a metro area on any coast—including the Great Lakes.)

Ready to shop? Check out the baker’s dozen of waterfront cities on our list, along with some incredible beach houses where urban living meets coastal calm.

Tampa, FL

Median house price: $415,000
How much listings are up: 90.1%

“The inventory of homes for sale increased in all 50 of the largest metros compared with last year,” says Realtor.com® senior economist Ralph McLaughlin. “The metro that saw the most inventory growth was Tampa.”

Tampa’s breathtaking beaches include Ben T. Davis Beach and the smaller, artificially-made Davis Islands Beach along the shores of Tampa Bay, which is part of the Gulf of Mexico.

top 13 beach cities — This impressive 2,756-square-foot waterfront home in Tampa has four bedrooms and three bathrooms and is listed for $799,900.
(Realtor.com)

The view is mesmerizing from the most expensive beachfront house currently on the market in Tampa, which is listed for $19,500,000.
(Realtor.com)

San Diego, CA

Median house price: $999,000
How much listings are up: 80.4%

San Diego is a gorgeous beach city located on the Pacific Coast. Mission Beach and Pacific Beach both have bustling boardwalks. Meanwhile, La Jolla Shores features gentle surf, making it an excellent place for beginning surfers.

Miami, FL

Median house price: $530,000
How much listings are up: 72.2%

Situated along the Atlantic Ocean, Miami boasts an extensive coastline and world-famous beaches. South Beach is renowned for its vibrant and diverse nightlife, while North Beach is much more laid-back and tranquil.

top beach cities — This unbelievable Miami condo is 10,000 square feet, has four bedrooms and 10.5 bathrooms, and is listed for $18,000,000.
(Realtor.com)

Seattle, WA

Median house price: $775,000
How much listings are up: 69.3%

Seattle might be known more for its heavy rainfall than its sandy shoreline, but this Washington city has some remarkable beaches.

The popular Alki Beach is located along Puget Sound, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean. The Beach at Seward Park is situated on the shores of Lake Washington and offers stunning views of Mount Rainier.

Jacksonville, FL

Median house price: $409,850
How much listings are up: 68.3%

Jacksonville is located on the Atlantic Coast and boasts incredible beaches, such as Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach, with miles of powder-white sand and crystal-blue waters.

This renovated three-bedroom waterfront home in Jacksonville has a private beach. It is listed for $1,350,000.
(Realtor.com)

Los Angeles, CA

Median house price: $1,190,000
How much listings are up: 41.6%

Sunny L.A. and beach living go hand in hand. Located on the Pacific Coast, Los Angeles is known for iconic beaches such as Venice Beach, Zuma Beach, and Santa Monica Beach.

San Francisco, CA

Median house price: $969,000
How much listings are up: 31.3%

Situated on the Pacific Coast, “The City by the Bay” offers stunning coastal views and breathtaking beaches. Ocean Beach has a promenade for jogging and biking, and Baker Beach offers spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Boston, MA

Median house price: $834,500
How much listings are up: 26.3%

Boston isn’t typically known for its beaches, but it does have some beautiful waterfront areas. Pleasure Bay is a quiet beach with jaw-dropping views of the Boston Harbor, and Carson Beach features a wide, sandy shore that runs along the Atlantic Ocean.