The 50 Best Vacation-Home 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 Pelican Bay, FL.

1. 50Siesta Key, Florida

   Better for a vacation home than 99% of U.S. towns

   Siesta Key is a community of 5,454 people in Sarasota County, Florida. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Florida towns and better for retirees than 96% of Florida towns.

   5,454 people · Sarasota County · median home $985,800 · income $115,854 · Jan low 52°F · 0 in snow

   Full Siesta Key, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 49East Quogue, New York

   Better for a vacation home than 99% of U.S. towns

   East Quogue is a community of 5,557 people in Suffolk County, New York. It also ranks more seaside character than 94% of New York towns and better for retirees than 90% of New York towns.

   5,557 people · Suffolk County · median home $844,100 · income $93,710 · Jan low 20°F · 27 in snow

   Full East Quogue, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 48Village of Oak Creek (Big Park), Arizona

   Better for a vacation home than 99% of U.S. towns

   

   Village of Oak Creek (Big Park) is a community of 6,128 people in Yavapai County, Arizona. It also ranks better for retirees than 100% of Arizona towns and hipper than 95% of Arizona towns.

   6,128 people · Yavapai County · median home $741,100 · income $80,878 · Jan low 34°F · 26 in snow

   Full Village of Oak Creek (Big Park), Arizona profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 47Orleans, Massachusetts

   Better for a vacation home than 99% of U.S. towns

   Orleans is a town of 6,307 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. It also ranks better for retirees than 96% of Massachusetts towns and hipper than 91% of Massachusetts towns.

   6,307 people · Barnstable County · median home $957,000 · income $102,335 · Jan low 26°F · 25 in snow

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

5. 46Mattapoisett, Massachusetts

   Better for a vacation home than 99% of U.S. towns

   Mattapoisett is a town of 6,508 people in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. It also ranks better for retirees than 93% of Massachusetts towns and more seaside character than 88% of Massachusetts towns.

   6,508 people · Plymouth County · median home $681,600 · income $130,241 · Jan low 22°F · 33 in snow

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

6. 45Snyderville, Utah

   Better for a vacation home than 99% of U.S. towns

   Snyderville is a community of 6,744 people in Summit County, Utah. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of Utah towns and better for young professionals than 95% of Utah towns.

   6,744 people · Summit County · median home $1,104,200 · income $143,517 · Jan low 16°F · 153 in snow

   Full Snyderville, Utah profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 44St. Augustine Beach, Florida

   Better for a vacation home than 99% of U.S. towns

   St. Augustine Beach is a city of 6,803 people in St. Johns County, Florida. It also ranks better for cycling than 98% of Florida towns and more seaside character than 96% of Florida towns.

   6,803 people · St. Johns County · median home $634,400 · income $100,802 · Jan low 48°F · 0 in snow

   Full St. Augustine Beach, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 43Longboat Key, Florida

   Better for a vacation home than 99% of U.S. towns

   Longboat Key is a town of 7,505 people in Sarasota County, Florida. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Florida towns and better for retirees than 95% of Florida towns.

   7,505 people · Sarasota County · median home $1,022,100 · income $158,030 · Jan low 52°F · 0 in snow

   Full Longboat Key, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 42Brigantine, New Jersey

   Better for a vacation home than 99% of U.S. towns

   

   Brigantine is a city of 7,716 people in Atlantic County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for retirees than 90% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 88% of New Jersey towns.

   7,716 people · Atlantic County · median home $524,800 · income $97,250 · Jan low 30°F · 15 in snow

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

10. 41Charlestown, Rhode Island

    Better for a vacation home than 99% of U.S. towns

    Charlestown is a town of 7,997 people in Washington County, Rhode Island. It also ranks better for retirees than 84% of Rhode Island towns and quieter than 79% of Rhode Island towns.

    7,997 people · Washington County · median home $525,500 · income $109,404 · Jan low 25°F · 32 in snow

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

11. 40Springs, New York

    Better for a vacation home than 99% of U.S. towns

    Springs is a community of 8,086 people in Suffolk County, New York. It also ranks more seaside character than 95% of New York towns and more upscale than 86% of New York towns.

    8,086 people · Suffolk County · median home $948,500 · income $144,836 · Jan low 23°F · 27 in snow

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

12. 39Vilano Beach, Florida

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Vilano Beach is a community of 2,514 people in St. Johns County, Florida. It also ranks better for retirees than 99% of Florida towns and more upscale than 98% of Florida towns.

    2,514 people · St. Johns County · median home $648,900 · income $120,750 · Jan low 48°F · 0 in snow

    Full Vilano Beach, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 38Ferrisburgh, Vermont

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Ferrisburgh is a town of 2,646 people in Addison County, Vermont. It also ranks better for families than 93% of Vermont towns and more of a college town than 93% of Vermont towns.

    2,646 people · Addison County · median home $422,700 · income $106,989 · Jan low 9°F · 79 in snow

    Full Ferrisburgh, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 37Thornton, New Hampshire

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Thornton is a town of 2,708 people in Grafton County, New Hampshire. It also ranks better for retirees than 70% of New Hampshire towns.

    2,708 people · Grafton County · median home $351,900 · income $90,022 · Jan low 6°F · 70 in snow

    Full Thornton, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 36Pepperdine University, California

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Pepperdine University is a community of 2,747 people in Los Angeles County, California. It also ranks better for young professionals than 100% of California towns and more seaside character than 95% of California towns.

    2,747 people · Los Angeles County · median home $979,700 · income $199,432 · Jan low 50°F · 0 in snow

    Full Pepperdine University, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 35Sag Harbor, New York

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Sag Harbor is a village of 2,772 people in Suffolk County, New York. It also ranks better for retirees than 99% of New York towns and more seaside character than 96% of New York towns.

    2,772 people · Suffolk County · median home $1,615,900 · income $129,821 · Jan low 23°F · 27 in snow

    Full Sag Harbor, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 34Spring Lake, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Spring Lake is a borough of 2,789 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 97% of New Jersey towns.

    2,789 people · Monmouth County · median home $2,000,001 · income $215,625 · Jan low 25°F

    Full Spring Lake, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 33Island Walk, Florida

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Island Walk is a community of 2,812 people in Collier County, Florida. It also ranks better for retirees than 96% of Florida towns and better for families than 90% of Florida towns.

    2,812 people · Collier County · median home $667,900 · income $81,103 · Jan low 52°F · 0 in snow

    Full Island Walk, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 32Bristol, Maine

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Bristol is a town of 2,834 people in Lincoln County, Maine. It also ranks better for retirees than 92% of Maine towns and better for families than 91% of Maine towns.

    2,834 people · Lincoln County · median home $406,400 · income $100,750 · Jan low 15°F · 70 in snow

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

20. 31Southern Shores, North Carolina

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Southern Shores is a town of 3,090 people in Dare County, North Carolina. It also ranks quieter than 97% of North Carolina towns and more upscale than 97% of North Carolina towns.

    3,090 people · Dare County · median home $712,300 · income $131,429 · Jan low 36°F · 1 in snow

    Full Southern Shores, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 30Monmouth Beach, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Monmouth Beach is a borough of 3,174 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for retirees than 100% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 96% of New Jersey towns.

    3,174 people · Monmouth County · median home $995,000 · income $150,188 · Jan low 25°F · 25 in snow

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

22. 29Belgrade, Maine

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Belgrade is a town of 3,250 people in Kennebec County, Maine. It also ranks better for families than 97% of Maine towns and more upscale than 93% of Maine towns.

    3,250 people · Kennebec County · median home $312,200 · income $88,338 · Jan low 9°F · 87 in snow

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

23. 28Shelter Island, New York

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    

    Shelter Island is a town of 3,253 people in Suffolk County, New York. It also ranks more seaside character than 96% of New York towns and better for retirees than 95% of New York towns.

    3,253 people · Suffolk County · median home $1,104,300 · income $133,967 · Jan low 23°F · 27 in snow

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

24. 27North Falmouth, Massachusetts

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    North Falmouth is a community of 3,293 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. It also ranks more seaside character than 92% of Massachusetts towns and more upscale than 90% of Massachusetts towns.

    3,293 people · Barnstable County · median home $715,300 · income $121,509 · Jan low 22°F · 37 in snow

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

25. 26Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Narragansett Pier is a community of 3,308 people in Washington County, Rhode Island. It also ranks better for young professionals than 100% of Rhode Island towns and more of a college town than 100% of Rhode Island towns.

    3,308 people · Washington County · median home $851,300 · income $82,192 · Jan low 19°F · 35 in snow

    Full Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

26. 25Ponce Inlet, Florida

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Ponce Inlet is a town of 3,364 people in Volusia County, Florida. It also ranks better for retirees than 96% of Florida towns and more upscale than 94% of Florida towns.

    3,364 people · Volusia County · median home $544,300 · income $102,200 · Jan low 52°F · 0 in snow

    Full Ponce Inlet, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

27. 24Grantham, New Hampshire

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Grantham is a town of 3,404 people in Sullivan County, New Hampshire. It also ranks better for families than 91% of New Hampshire towns and easier by car than 87% of New Hampshire towns.

    3,404 people · Sullivan County · median home $343,100 · income $106,403 · Jan low 9°F · 70 in snow

    Full Grantham, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

28. 23West Tisbury, Massachusetts

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    West Tisbury is a town of 3,555 people in Dukes County, Massachusetts. It also ranks better for retirees than 94% of Massachusetts towns and better for first-time buyers than 85% of Massachusetts towns.

    3,555 people · Dukes County · median home $1,302,100 · income $182,750 · Jan low 23°F · 25 in snow

    Full West Tisbury, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

29. 22Wellfleet, Massachusetts

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Wellfleet is a town of 3,566 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. It also ranks better for retirees than 95% of Massachusetts towns and quieter than 93% of Massachusetts towns.

    3,566 people · Barnstable County · median home $855,300 · income $117,938 · Jan low 26°F · 23 in snow

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

30. 21Big Sky, Montana

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Big Sky is a community of 3,591 people in Gallatin County, Montana. It also ranks better for young professionals than 97% of Montana towns and more upscale than 97% of Montana towns.

    3,591 people · Gallatin County · median home $1,137,900 · income $138,805 · Jan low 9°F · 48 in snow

    Full Big Sky, Montana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

31. 20Little Compton, Rhode Island

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Little Compton is a town of 3,616 people in Newport County, Rhode Island. It also ranks quieter than 97% of Rhode Island towns and better for retirees than 95% of Rhode Island towns.

    3,616 people · Newport County · median home $783,400 · income $134,750 · Jan low 24°F · 38 in snow

    Full Little Compton, Rhode Island profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

32. 19Westhampton, New York

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Westhampton is a community of 3,621 people in Suffolk County, New York. It also ranks more seaside character than 94% of New York towns and better for families than 92% of New York towns.

    3,621 people · Suffolk County · median home $1,018,200 · income $119,886 · Jan low 20°F · 29 in snow

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

33. 18Essex, Massachusetts

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Essex is a town of 3,675 people in Essex County, Massachusetts. It also ranks more seaside character than 93% of Massachusetts towns and more upscale than 86% of Massachusetts towns.

    3,675 people · Essex County · median home $897,400 · income $157,147 · Jan low 18°F · 51 in snow

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

34. 17South Beach, Florida

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    South Beach is a community of 3,703 people in Indian River County, Florida. It also ranks better for retirees than 99% of Florida towns and more upscale than 99% of Florida towns.

    3,703 people · Indian River County · median home $900,700 · income $193,594 · Jan low 51°F · 0 in snow

    Full South Beach, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

35. 16Camden, Maine

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Camden is a community of 3,850 people in Knox County, Maine. It also ranks better for retirees than 100% of Maine towns and hipper than 97% of Maine towns.

    3,850 people · Knox County · median home $498,800 · income $78,788 · Jan low 12°F · 69 in snow

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

36. 15Vineyards, Florida

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Vineyards is a community of 3,883 people in Collier County, Florida. It also ranks better for retirees than 97% of Florida towns and more upscale than 92% of Florida towns.

    3,883 people · Collier County · median home $651,800 · income $131,118 · Jan low 52°F · 0 in snow

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

37. 14Beach Haven West, New Jersey

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Beach Haven West is a community of 4,143 people in Ocean County, New Jersey. It also ranks quieter than 92% of New Jersey towns and more seaside character than 89% of New Jersey towns.

    4,143 people · Ocean County · median home $641,700 · income $119,394 · Jan low 27°F · 10 in snow

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

38. 13Indian River Shores, Florida

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Indian River Shores is a town of 4,241 people in Indian River County, Florida. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of Florida towns and better for retirees than 98% of Florida towns.

    4,241 people · Indian River County · median home $1,132,000 · income $156,037 · Jan low 54°F · 0 in snow

    Full Indian River Shores, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

39. 12Highland Beach, Florida

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Highland Beach is a town of 4,295 people in Palm Beach County, Florida. It also ranks more upscale than 100% of Florida towns and more of a college town than 98% of Florida towns.

    4,295 people · Palm Beach County · median home $909,200 · income $145,485 · Jan low 56°F · 0 in snow

    Full Highland Beach, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

40. 11Montauk, New York

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Montauk is a community of 4,318 people in Suffolk County, New York. It also ranks more seaside character than 95% of New York towns and better for retirees than 94% of New York towns.

    4,318 people · Suffolk County · median home $1,356,600 · income $142,961 · Jan low 28°F · 26 in snow

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

41. 10Northwest Harbor, New York

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Northwest Harbor is a community of 4,637 people in Suffolk County, New York. It also ranks better for retirees than 98% of New York towns and more seaside character than 95% of New York towns.

    4,637 people · Suffolk County · median home $1,573,300 · income $160,375 · Jan low 23°F · 27 in snow

    Full Northwest Harbor, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

42. 9Butler Beach, Florida

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Butler Beach is a community of 4,978 people in St. Johns County, Florida. It also ranks better for retirees than 95% of Florida towns and more seaside character than 89% of Florida towns.

    4,978 people · St. Johns County · median home $493,100 · income $76,689 · Jan low 48°F · 0 in snow

    Full Butler Beach, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

43. 8Bar Harbor, Maine

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Bar Harbor is a town of 5,089 people in Hancock County, Maine. It also ranks better for young professionals than 99% of Maine towns and hipper than 99% of Maine towns.

    5,089 people · Hancock County · median home $538,400 · income $77,180 · Jan low 15°F

    Full Bar Harbor, Maine profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

44. 7Camden, Maine

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Camden is a town of 5,232 people in Knox County, Maine. It also ranks better for retirees than 100% of Maine towns and hipper than 97% of Maine towns.

    5,232 people · Knox County · median home $520,600 · income $82,344 · Jan low 12°F · 69 in snow

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

45. 6Rye, New Hampshire

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Rye is a town of 5,543 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more seaside character than 99% of New Hampshire towns and better for retirees than 96% of New Hampshire towns.

    5,543 people · Rockingham County · median home $1,028,100 · income $140,655 · Jan low 16°F · 65 in snow

    Full Rye, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

46. 5Jamestown, Rhode Island

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Jamestown is a town of 5,559 people in Newport County, Rhode Island. It also ranks better for families than 97% of Rhode Island towns and better for retirees than 95% of Rhode Island towns.

    5,559 people · Newport County · median home $842,400 · income $140,625 · Jan low 24°F · 26 in snow

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

47. 4Eastham, Massachusetts

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Eastham is a town of 5,752 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. It also ranks quieter than 88% of Massachusetts towns and better for first-time buyers than 87% of Massachusetts towns.

    5,752 people · Barnstable County · median home $732,200 · income $72,992 · Jan low 26°F · 24 in snow

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

48. 3Woodstock, New York

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Woodstock is a town of 6,287 people in Ulster County, New York. It also ranks better for retirees than 100% of New York towns and hipper than 99% of New York towns.

    6,287 people · Ulster County · median home $604,700 · income $92,118 · Jan low 12°F · 86 in snow

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

49. 2Chatham, Massachusetts

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Chatham is a town of 6,594 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. It also ranks better for retirees than 93% of Massachusetts towns and more seaside character than 90% of Massachusetts towns.

    6,594 people · Barnstable County · median home $942,800 · income $85,167 · Jan low 25°F · 25 in snow

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

50. 1Pelican Bay, Florida

    Better for a vacation home than 100% of U.S. towns

    Pelican Bay is a community of 6,660 people in Collier County, Florida. It also ranks more upscale than 100% of Florida towns and better for retirees than 99% of Florida towns.

    6,660 people · Collier County · median home $1,287,900 · income $163,520 · Jan low 56°F · 0 in snow

    Full Pelican Bay, Florida 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 Vacation-Home Small Towns in Pennsylvania
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in New York
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in Michigan
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in Texas
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in California
• The 25 Best Vacation-Home Small Towns in New Jersey