How We Rank the Best Beach Towns in America

When we set out to rank the best beach towns in America, we knew that proximity to sand wasn't enough. A great beach town needs to be livable — affordable, safe, walkable, and welcoming.

Our methodology starts with coastal access. We evaluate towns based on the number and quality of public beaches within a reasonable distance, water quality reports, and seasonal climate data. But that's just one piece of the puzzle.

Affordability matters. We look at median home values, cost of living indices, and the ratio of local income to housing costs. A gorgeous beach town doesn't make the cut if only millionaires can afford to live there.

Safety is scored using FBI crime data, normalized per capita. Walkability comes from Walk Score, which evaluates how many errands can be completed on foot. School ratings matter for families. And the dining scene — measured by restaurants per capita — tells us something about a town's culture and vitality.

The result is a composite score that balances all these factors. No single metric dominates, which means the towns at the top of our list truly deliver across the board.