The 50 Best Seaside Small Towns in America

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 7,696 towns of 500–10,000 people in the U.S.. #1 is Keansburg, NJ.

1. 50Compo, Connecticut

   More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

   Compo is a community of 3,354 people, Connecticut. It also ranks better transit than 98% of Connecticut towns and more upscale than 91% of Connecticut towns.

   3,354 people · median home $1,522,500 · income $250,001 · Jan low 22°F · 36 in snow

   Full Compo, Connecticut profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 49Avalon, California

   More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

   Avalon is a city of 3,460 people in Los Angeles County, California. It also ranks better for cycling than 100% of California towns and better for a vacation home than 93% of California towns.

   3,460 people · Los Angeles County · median home $936,000 · income $105,139 · Jan low 50°F

   Full Avalon, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 48North Wildwood, New Jersey

   More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

   North Wildwood is a city of 3,621 people in Cape May County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for cycling than 100% of New Jersey towns and better for a vacation home than 94% of New Jersey towns.

   3,621 people · Cape May County · median home $459,900 · income $90,833 · Jan low 29°F · 15 in snow

   Full North Wildwood, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 47Port Monmouth, New Jersey

   More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

   Port Monmouth is a community of 3,745 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for cycling than 93% of New Jersey towns and more walkable than 75% of New Jersey towns.

   3,745 people · Monmouth County · median home $451,300 · income $104,135 · Jan low 25°F · 27 in snow

   Full Port Monmouth, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 46Glenwood Landing, New York

   More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

   Glenwood Landing is a community of 3,948 people in Nassau County, New York. It also ranks better for families than 95% of New York towns and hipper than 94% of New York towns.

   3,948 people · Nassau County · median home $895,400 · income $131,573 · Jan low 27°F · 19 in snow

   Full Glenwood Landing, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 45North Plymouth, Massachusetts

   More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

   North Plymouth is a community of 3,983 people in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. It also ranks hipper than 96% of Massachusetts towns and better for young professionals than 94% of Massachusetts towns.

   3,983 people · Plymouth County · median home $494,500 · income $80,745 · Jan low 22°F · 38 in snow

   Full North Plymouth, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 44Shrewsbury, New Jersey

   More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

   Shrewsbury is a borough of 4,184 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks more vibrant than 75% of New Jersey towns and better transit than 75% of New Jersey towns.

   4,184 people · Monmouth County · median home $811,400 · income $178,958 · Jan low 25°F · 26 in snow

   Full Shrewsbury, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 43Bradley Beach, New Jersey

   More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

   Bradley Beach is a borough of 4,282 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for young professionals than 100% of New Jersey towns and better for a vacation home than 98% of New Jersey towns.

   4,282 people · Monmouth County · median home $932,800 · income $97,005 · Jan low 25°F

   Full Bradley Beach, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 42Mystic, Connecticut

   More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

   Mystic is a community of 4,348 people, Connecticut. It also ranks better for retirees than 98% of Connecticut towns and better for cycling than 94% of Connecticut towns.

   4,348 people · median home $538,800 · income $152,559 · Jan low 24°F · 25 in snow

   Full Mystic, Connecticut profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 41Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Atlantic Highlands is a borough of 4,414 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks hipper than 95% of New Jersey towns and more of a college town than 92% of New Jersey towns.

    4,414 people · Monmouth County · median home $628,100 · income $126,080 · Jan low 25°F · 27 in snow

    Full Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 40Highlands, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Highlands is a borough of 4,621 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 99% of New Jersey towns and hipper than 99% of New Jersey towns.

    4,621 people · Monmouth County · median home $455,000 · income $91,913 · Jan low 25°F · 27 in snow

    Full Highlands, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 39Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Point Pleasant Beach is a borough of 4,766 people in Ocean County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for cycling than 98% of New Jersey towns and better for a vacation home than 97% of New Jersey towns.

    4,766 people · Ocean County · median home $850,300 · income $141,716 · Jan low 22°F

    Full Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 38Flower Hill, New York

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Flower Hill is a village of 4,794 people in Nassau County, New York. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of New York towns and better transit than 99% of New York towns.

    4,794 people · Nassau County · median home $1,975,500 · income $250,001 · Jan low 27°F · 19 in snow

    Full Flower Hill, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 37West Sayville, New York

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    West Sayville is a community of 4,872 people in Suffolk County, New York. It also ranks more of a college town than 94% of New York towns and better for a vacation home than 94% of New York towns.

    4,872 people · Suffolk County · median home $583,200 · income $166,312 · Jan low 26°F · 32 in snow

    Full West Sayville, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 36Island Park, New York

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Island Park is a village of 4,928 people in Nassau County, New York. It also ranks better for cycling than 100% of New York towns and more walkable than 97% of New York towns.

    4,928 people · Nassau County · median home $574,500 · income $104,926 · Jan low 26°F · 26 in snow

    Full Island Park, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 35Rockport, Massachusetts

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Rockport is a community of 5,010 people in Essex County, Massachusetts. It also ranks better for retirees than 99% of Massachusetts towns and hipper than 95% of Massachusetts towns.

    5,010 people · Essex County · median home $748,200 · income $86,250 · Jan low 18°F · 49 in snow

    Full Rockport, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 34Sea Cliff, New York

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Sea Cliff is a village of 5,062 people in Nassau County, New York. It also ranks more walkable than 96% of New York towns and more upscale than 96% of New York towns.

    5,062 people · Nassau County · median home $986,900 · income $193,590 · Jan low 27°F · 19 in snow

    Full Sea Cliff, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 33Blue Point, New York

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Blue Point is a community of 5,156 people in Suffolk County, New York. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 91% of New York towns and better for retirees than 88% of New York towns.

    5,156 people · Suffolk County · median home $614,900 · income $154,625 · Jan low 26°F · 32 in snow

    Full Blue Point, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 32Wildwood, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Wildwood is a city of 5,157 people in Cape May County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 93% of New Jersey towns and more vibrant than 90% of New Jersey towns.

    5,157 people · Cape May County · median home $391,300 · income $75,222 · Jan low 29°F · 15 in snow

    Full Wildwood, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

20. 31Margate City, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Margate City is a city of 5,317 people in Atlantic County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 99% of New Jersey towns and better for cycling than 96% of New Jersey towns.

    5,317 people · Atlantic County · median home $708,800 · income $121,800 · Jan low 30°F · 17 in snow

    Full Margate City, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 30Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Manchester-by-the-Sea is a town of 5,395 people in Essex County, Massachusetts. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Massachusetts towns and better for retirees than 97% of Massachusetts towns.

    5,395 people · Essex County · median home $942,000 · income $206,389 · Jan low 18°F · 51 in snow

    Full Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 29Surfside, Florida

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Surfside is a town of 5,689 people in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It also ranks more walkable than 100% of Florida towns and more vibrant than 100% of Florida towns.

    5,689 people · Miami-Dade County · median home $881,700 · income $100,208 · Jan low 61°F · 0 in snow

    Full Surfside, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

23. 28Union Beach, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Union Beach is a borough of 5,723 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks more of a college town than 99% of New Jersey towns and better for first-time buyers than 89% of New Jersey towns.

    5,723 people · Monmouth County · median home $460,900 · income $119,250 · Jan low 23°F · 27 in snow

    Full Union Beach, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 27Pelham Manor, New York

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Pelham Manor is a village of 5,752 people in Westchester County, New York. It also ranks more upscale than 100% of New York towns and more vibrant than 97% of New York towns.

    5,752 people · Westchester County · median home $1,093,300 · income $250,001 · Jan low 27°F · 33 in snow

    Full Pelham Manor, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 26Pleasure Point, California

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Pleasure Point is a community of 5,821 people in Santa Cruz County, California. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 97% of California towns and hipper than 97% of California towns.

    5,821 people · Santa Cruz County · median home $1,183,600 · income $119,821 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

    Full Pleasure Point, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

26. 25Centerport, New York

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Centerport is a community of 5,822 people in Suffolk County, New York. It also ranks better for families than 99% of New York towns and more of a college town than 96% of New York towns.

    5,822 people · Suffolk County · median home $740,200 · income $195,357 · Jan low 25°F · 29 in snow

    Full Centerport, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

27. 24Belmar, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    

    Belmar is a borough of 5,907 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks more vibrant than 98% of New Jersey towns and hipper than 98% of New Jersey towns.

    5,907 people · Monmouth County · median home $861,800 · income $93,573 · Jan low 25°F

    Full Belmar, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

28. 23Branford Center, Connecticut

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Branford Center is a community of 6,026 people, Connecticut. It also ranks hipper than 100% of Connecticut towns and more vibrant than 98% of Connecticut towns.

    6,026 people · median home $330,600 · income $74,150 · Jan low 23°F · 34 in snow

    Full Branford Center, Connecticut profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

29. 22Little Silver, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Little Silver is a borough of 6,131 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks more upscale than 95% of New Jersey towns and better for families than 94% of New Jersey towns.

    6,131 people · Monmouth County · median home $955,900 · income $240,853 · Jan low 25°F · 26 in snow

    Full Little Silver, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

30. 21Fair Haven, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Fair Haven is a borough of 6,269 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for families than 100% of New Jersey towns and more upscale than 94% of New Jersey towns.

    6,269 people · Monmouth County · median home $992,200 · income $250,001 · Jan low 25°F · 27 in snow

    Full Fair Haven, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

31. 20Larchmont, New York

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    

    Larchmont is a village of 6,630 people in Westchester County, New York. It also ranks more upscale than 100% of New York towns and more vibrant than 99% of New York towns.

    6,630 people · Westchester County · median home $1,635,500 · income $167,536 · Jan low 23°F · 33 in snow

    Full Larchmont, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

32. 19Laurence Harbor, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Laurence Harbor is a community of 6,635 people in Middlesex County, New Jersey. The median home is worth $306,700 (typical New Jersey town: $435,600).

    6,635 people · Middlesex County · median home $306,700 · income $84,291 · Jan low 23°F · 29 in snow

    Full Laurence Harbor, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

33. 18Bayville, New York

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Bayville is a village of 6,748 people in Nassau County, New York. It also ranks more of a college town than 92% of New York towns and more upscale than 91% of New York towns.

    6,748 people · Nassau County · median home $710,000 · income $149,191 · Jan low 25°F · 27 in snow

    Full Bayville, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

34. 17Lawrence, New York

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Lawrence is a village of 6,809 people in Nassau County, New York. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of New York towns and better for young professionals than 98% of New York towns.

    6,809 people · Nassau County · median home $1,623,200 · income $170,000 · Jan low 26°F · 26 in snow

    Full Lawrence, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

35. 16Rockland, Maine

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Rockland is a city of 6,936 people in Knox County, Maine. It also ranks hipper than 100% of Maine towns and more vibrant than 99% of Maine towns.

    6,936 people · Knox County · median home $245,800 · income $56,533 · Jan low 12°F · 69 in snow

    Full Rockland, Maine profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

36. 15Manorhaven, New York

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Manorhaven is a village of 6,956 people in Nassau County, New York. It also ranks better for cycling than 99% of New York towns and more walkable than 97% of New York towns.

    6,956 people · Nassau County · median home $687,100 · income $105,486 · Jan low 27°F · 19 in snow

    Full Manorhaven, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

37. 14Fort Bragg, California

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Fort Bragg is a city of 6,983 people in Mendocino County, California. It also ranks hipper than 92% of California towns and better for a vacation home than 85% of California towns.

    6,983 people · Mendocino County · median home $535,400 · income $56,481 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

    Full Fort Bragg, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

38. 13Rockport, Massachusetts

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Rockport is a town of 6,992 people in Essex County, Massachusetts. It also ranks better for retirees than 99% of Massachusetts towns and hipper than 92% of Massachusetts towns.

    6,992 people · Essex County · median home $746,100 · income $96,250 · Jan low 18°F · 50 in snow

    Full Rockport, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

39. 12Oyster Bay, New York

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Oyster Bay is a community of 7,049 people in Nassau County, New York. It also ranks more vibrant than 99% of New York towns and better for young professionals than 98% of New York towns.

    7,049 people · Nassau County · median home $695,500 · income $111,264 · Jan low 25°F · 25 in snow

    Full Oyster Bay, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

40. 11Keyport, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Keyport is a borough of 7,204 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks hipper than 97% of New Jersey towns and more vibrant than 93% of New Jersey towns.

    7,204 people · Monmouth County · median home $417,100 · income $82,321 · Jan low 23°F · 27 in snow

    Full Keyport, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

41. 10Rumson, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Rumson is a borough of 7,343 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for families than 99% of New Jersey towns and better for cycling than 97% of New Jersey towns.

    7,343 people · Monmouth County · median home $1,679,300 · income $250,001 · Jan low 25°F · 27 in snow

    Full Rumson, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

42. 9Northport, New York

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Northport is a village of 7,347 people in Suffolk County, New York. It also ranks more upscale than 92% of New York towns and more walkable than 89% of New York towns.

    7,347 people · Suffolk County · median home $745,300 · income $146,921 · Jan low 25°F · 30 in snow

    Full Northport, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

43. 8Plymouth, Massachusetts

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Plymouth is a community of 7,667 people in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. It also ranks more vibrant than 96% of Massachusetts towns and more walkable than 93% of Massachusetts towns.

    7,667 people · Plymouth County · median home $446,800 · income $81,703 · Jan low 22°F · 38 in snow

    Full Plymouth, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

44. 7Tiverton, Rhode Island

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Tiverton is a community of 7,809 people in Newport County, Rhode Island. It also ranks more walkable than 74% of Rhode Island towns and easier by car than 74% of Rhode Island towns.

    7,809 people · Newport County · median home $407,200 · income $99,158 · Jan low 24°F · 38 in snow

    Full Tiverton, Rhode Island profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

45. 6North Bay Village, Florida

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    North Bay Village is a city of 8,159 people in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It also ranks more walkable than 100% of Florida towns and more of a college town than 100% of Florida towns.

    8,159 people · Miami-Dade County · median home $464,200 · income $84,405 · Jan low 61°F · 0 in snow

    Full North Bay Village, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

46. 5Cohasset, Massachusetts

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Cohasset is a town of 8,381 people in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. It also ranks more upscale than 92% of Massachusetts towns and better for families than 85% of Massachusetts towns.

    8,381 people · Norfolk County · median home $1,318,900 · income $199,306 · Jan low 22°F · 51 in snow

    Full Cohasset, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

47. 4Edgemere, Maryland

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Edgemere is a community of 9,069 people in Baltimore County, Maryland. It also ranks more walkable than 78% of Maryland towns.

    9,069 people · Baltimore County · median home $372,600 · income $103,165 · Jan low 30°F · 21 in snow

    Full Edgemere, Maryland profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

48. 3Ventnor City, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Ventnor City is a city of 9,210 people in Atlantic County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 96% of New Jersey towns and hipper than 92% of New Jersey towns.

    9,210 people · Atlantic County · median home $363,000 · income $68,671 · Jan low 30°F · 17 in snow

    Full Ventnor City, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

49. 2South Amboy, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    South Amboy is a city of 9,411 people in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It also ranks more walkable than 91% of New Jersey towns and better transit than 91% of New Jersey towns.

    9,411 people · Middlesex County · median home $379,700 · income $91,997 · Jan low 23°F · 29 in snow

    Full South Amboy, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

50. 1Keansburg, New Jersey

    More seaside character than 100% of U.S. towns

    Keansburg is a borough of 9,755 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for cycling than 98% of New Jersey towns and more walkable than 93% of New Jersey towns.

    9,755 people · Monmouth County · median home $311,800 · income $81,428 · Jan low 23°F · 27 in snow

    Full Keansburg, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More U.S. rankings

• The 50 Best Small Towns to Retire in America
• The 50 Quietest Small Towns in America
• The 50 Most Affordable Small Towns in America
• The 50 Best Small Towns for Families in America
• The 50 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in America
• The 50 Best Places to Retire in America
• The 50 Quietest Places in America
• The 50 Most Affordable Places in America
• The 50 Best Places for Families in America
• The 50 Best Quiet, Affordable Places to Retire in America

Same ranking, other places

• The 25 Best Seaside Small Towns in New York
• The 16 Best Seaside Small Towns in Texas
• The 25 Best Seaside Small Towns in California
• The 25 Best Seaside Small Towns in New Jersey