Surf, Sand, Savings: The 10 Most Affordable Beach Towns for Short-Term Summer Rentals (2024)

Almost everyone dreams of renting a beach house for at least a little bit of the summer—but anyone who has ever tried to turn these salty, sandy reveries into a reality knows it can bleed your bank account dry.

To find out whether affordable options exist,Realtor.com dug into data provided by short-term rental research firm AirDNA over the course of 2022 and 2023 to predict what summer 2024 will bring in 73 coastal resort towns located across the U.S.

The results didn’t disappoint. It’s entirely possible to find surprisingly affordable short-term beach rentals if you’re willing to venture off the beaten path.

Here are the 10 most affordable beach towns, based on local average short-term rental prices, the number of listings, and the occupancy rate. There’s also info on the things to see and do in these towns that don’t cost an arm and a leg or are even free. Note, though, that rental prices might vary when you book and are based on the number of guests.

1. San Juan, Puerto Rico

Average day rate: $198.52
Available listings: 11,008
Occupancy: 62.5%

Every year, an estimated 5 million people visit the capital of this U.S. territory, and for good reason: This thriving tourist destination also ranks in AirDNA data as America’s most affordable beach destination, with attractions galore for all walks of life.

History buffs can tour Old San Juan, including citadels like El Morro and San Cristóbal, as well as landmarks like the Museo Casa Blanca, the family home of Juan Ponce de León. Nightlife lovers can hit scores of clubs and bars such as Barrachina and Caribe Hilton, both of which claim to be the birthplace of the piña colada.

For those traveling with kids, the beaches at Isla Verde, the water park at nearby Hacienda Carabali, and Parque de las Palomas, aka Pigeons Park, are bound to entertain.

Accommodations are plentiful here for a song. Check out this 1950s rental available for $135 per night. Guests will have designated parking spaces, access to a hot tub with mountain views, and a large terrace.

2. Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Average day rate: $231.00
Available listings: 4,715
Occupancy: 52.70%

Think all beach towns are by the sea? Then you haven’t met America’s “Third Coast,” with sandy lakeside shorelines that stretch longer than the East and West coasts combined. This provides middle America with plenty of room to sail, kayak, and even surf—at surprisingly affordable prices.

Visitors who drop in between August and April might get a chance to see the northern lights, while visitors during the remainder of the year can visit Hiawatha’s “root beer” falls (named due to the color of the foaming water). There are also many wineries in the area, which are thriving thanks to a new variety of cold-hardy grapes.

You can kick off your stay by claiming one of the rooms at this recently remodeled villa in Boyne Falls for just $181 per night. Located right at the base of Boyne Mountain, this is perfect for anyone who wants to spend a lot of time enjoying the great outdoors during their stay.

3. Cambridge, Maryland

Average day rate: $236.25
Available listings: 858
Occupancy: 55.30%

Located just 13 miles from Chesapeake Bay, Cambridge offers visitors plenty of ways to soak in the sun and see the sights without a sizable financial splurge.

Cambridge is steeped in history and has many museums and exhibits you can check out for free. (Though, many happily accept a small donation.) Some must-see stops include the Harriet Tubman Museum, which offers an in-depth look at this Maryland native’s role in helping free slaves via the underground railroad.

Closer to the water, you can stroll the floating boardwalks of the Choptank River Lighthouse, and pop inside to appreciate the breathtaking views.

You can see everything that Cambridge has to offer when you stay at this picturesque waterfront home for just $272 a night, where you’ll have a view of both Pinks Pond and the Choptank River from your own backyard.

4. Gulfport/Biloxi, Mississippi

Average day rate: $237.00
Available listings: 4,109
Occupancy:45.40%

On the Mississippi Gulf Coast, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the Biloxi beaches and celebrate a story of recovery: The region was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Biloxi sports plenty of free or budget-friendly recreational opportunities along its coastline, from swimming to water sports. In fact, the calm waters along the shores are great for fishing and water sports.

Need a break from the beach and want to keep your kiddos entertained? The Lynn Meadows Discovery Center has both indoor and outdoor play areas that are great for rainy afternoons at a mere $10 per kid. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy a thriving nightlife in Biloxi, including several casinos where you can try your luck at Blackjack or take in a live performance—acts like Ginuwine and Travis Tritt will be headlining there this summer.

The coastal towns along Michigan’s east side, aka the “Sunrise Coast,” include towns that border Lake Huron like Standish, Au Gres, Oscoda Township, Harrisville, Alepna, Rogers City, Cheboygan, and Mackinaw.

This area spans over 200 miles of shoreline and includes stops where you can soak up some sun while canoeing down Rifle River, known for its amazing freshwater fishing.

Sightseers might also want to swing by Rogers City to visit the Ocqueoc Falls Scenic Site to check out the largest waterfall in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. This spot also features 6 miles of trails that are perfect for biking, hiking, and skiing, and visitors can end their trip through the city by swimming in the country’s only universally accessible waterfall, which includes a path for wheelchair users.

As for where to lay your head, this waterfront home in Rogers City comes with a backyard beach that hasdirect access to Lake Huron for swimming and water sports—all for just $269 a night.

6. Rio Grande/Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Average day rate: $264.96
Available listings: 3,816
Occupancy: 57%

Feel bougie on a budget when you travel to Rio Grande and Fajardo, where you can explore El Yunque National Forest, which includes a rainforest, waterfalls, paved hiking trails, and springs for swimming. (Just be sure to pack an umbrella because it rains about four times a day in the forest.)

Visitors in search of a more sun-soaked experience can head to the beach at Playa Seven Seas, which is part of La Cabezas Nature Reserve. This beach is the one that is most recommended for families because the water there is calm and easier for young or newer swimmers to navigate.

And you won’t have to leave the ocean behind when you stay at this $150 a night upper-level condo in Fajardo. With just a five-minute drive to Seven Seas Beach, this is the perfect spot to call home for the duration of your stay.

7. Daytona Beach, Florida

Average day rate: $267.15
Available listings: 13,337
Occupancy: 55.80%

Want to visit a beach town with more than just ocean views? Daytona Beach has a lot to offer—from the Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens, a lush 12-acre expanse with life-size dinosaur statues, to the Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at how chocolates are made (including a free sample).

Naturally, car enthusiasts will also have plenty to do here. In addition to checking out the Daytona International Speedway, motor sports lovers can trek to the Birthplace of Speed Park, the location where historians say American racing got its start.

For just $119 a night, you can rent this chic seventh-floor condo located just a short walk from attractions like minigolf and the beach.

8. Port St. Lucie, Florida

Average day rate: $274.23
Available listings: 6,498
Occupancy: 56.50%

Known as part of the “Treasure Coast,” Port St. Lucie is definitely one of Florida’s hidden gems when it comes to traveling on a budget.

The Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens is free and offers an intimate gander at some of Florida’s stunning native plants, along with a butterfly garden where you might spot some local winged pollinators.

To quench your thirst, Hop Life Brewing is considered a must-see by visitors thanks to the brewery tour and surrounding grounds, where you can bring your four-legged friend for an afternoon of live music, community events, and local food trucks.

Come bedtime, for a mere $150 a night, you can stay at Mango House, which has 12 different fruit trees on the property.

9. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Average day rate: $280.47
Available listings: 31,413
Occupancy: 58.80%

While the waters of the Atlantic Ocean are enough to attract an estimated 12 million visitors a year,this coastal town has much more to offer. Tourists flock to Broadway at the Beach, a 360-acre complex that features everything from dining (it’s home to one of Jimmy Buffett‘s Margaritaville restaurants) to attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium.

If you want to see (and save) even more during your stay, you can head to Pavilion Nostalgia Park. This throwback park offers free admission to the miniature theme park, which includes classic and even nostalgic rides like the spinning teacups and the Herschell-Spillman Carousel.

Come nighttime, you can head to this $145 a night oceanfront condo that is not only steps to the beach, but also comes with both an outdoor and indoor pool for those rare rainy days.

10. Jacksonville, Florida

Average day rate: $280.60
Available listings: 6,553
Occupancy: 61.20%

One of the most densely populated cities in Florida, Jacksonville has a lot to offer visitors that’s completely free. At landmarks like Friendship Fountain, sit back and watch 265 lighted fountain jets shoot water up 100 feet while putting on a colorful show worthy of Las Vegas. Or take the kids to the Splash Pad at Sunshine Park with its water parks, hiking trails, tennis courts, reservable cabanas, and more.

For those rare cloudy days, there’s the cumme*r Museum of Art, which has more than 6,000 items on display, including pieces from Rembrandt to Andy Warhol. Visitors get in free the first Saturday of the month, so plan your trip accordingly.

Located just three minutes outside of downtown Jacksonville, this $74 a night guesthouse offers the perfect place to lay your head when you’re not checking out everything the city has to offer.