For the best combination of beaches, lifestyle and financial stability - Florida dominates the best beach towns in the country:
Bottom Line: Every year we have a bunch of "Bests" lists that have to do with beaches. Whether it's "Dr. Beach's" list or Trip Advisor's - they're interesting but not necessarily instructive for anyone not on vacation. The combination of many Americans having a dream of living at the beach and affordability concerns, TV shows have popped up like "Beach front Bargain Hunt" and the like. I'm a water bug and left to my own devices a beach bum. I'm familiar with a lot of the beaches featured in the TV shows and often find myself laughing about how glamorous they make some destinations seem (that really aren't).
You're likely well aware that most of the time there are reasons why something is "cheap" or a "bargain". With that as the backdrop WalletHub is out with the most comprehensive compilation of "Best Beach Towns" - I've ever reviewed. And the news is great for Florida!
WalletHub compared 227 cities across 49 key metrics. The data set ranges from housing costs to share of for-sale waterfront homes to quality of beach water. 2017's Best Beach Towns to Live in. Eight of the top 14 destinations are in Florida.
#14: Jupiter
#12: Sarasota
#9: Boca Raton
#8: Key Biscayne
#7: Marco Island
#5: St. Augustine
#2: Key West
#1: Naples