12 Cheapest Beach Towns in California for 2023 – Most Affordable Places
We evaluated all the data to find the cheapest beach towns in California for 2023 so you can surf and soak in the sun all year round.
While the Golden State is not known to be cheap, we were able to find the most affordable places to live in California near the beach that were mostly at or below the state’s average cost of living.
We used data from AreaVibes and BestPlaces.net to determine each town’s affordability. We chose the cost of living index and the median home price as the guidelines for determining the most affordable beach towns in California.
With that being said, these values and indexes are all relative since California is notorious for being a costly place to live. Keep in mind that we are defining the idea of “cheap” and “affordable” compared to the rest of the state.
These levels are generally much higher than the rest of the US. Remember, the median home value in California is almost $700,000 while the average cost of living is 41% higher than the rest of the nation.
Still, we managed to find a handful of places across the state that offer a reasonable value while being near the beach.
We also made note of the overall desirability, which includes aspects like crime levels, things to do, and location, so read each summary carefully to figure out which of these places are right for you.
Alright, let’s see the top 12 cheapest beach towns in California for 2023.
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12 Cheapest Beach Towns in California – 2023 Update
12. Ventura
Population: 109,067
Cost of Living Index: 5% Higher than California Average
Median Home Price: $598,700
Location: Check on Google Maps
Ventura is a relaxed, yet dynamic beach town that is just 1 hour up the coast from Los Angeles. It exudes quintessential beach town vibes and offers miles of coastlines and tons of parks across the city.
There is also a historic downtown that features numerous restaurants and an overall laid-back atmosphere.
It’s not the cheapest beach town ever, but it is actually a bargain compared to the glamorous beach towns in Los Angeles and the rest of SoCal that are nearby. It basically offers the same chilled out lifestyle, but with less fanfare (and much lower costs).
11. San Pedro
Population: 73,264
Cost of Living Index: 3% Higher than California Average
Median Home Price: $744,044
Location: Check on Google Maps
San Pedro is a neighborhood in the south part of Los Angeles that sits right on the beach. Since it is in LA, the median home prices are still quite high, but the rest of the costs are actually close to the state average.
It is one of Los Angeles’ busiest port towns, yet still feels like a small beach town.
Its crime rates are 24% lower than the rest of the LA area, while housing prices are actually 10% lower than the surrounding neighborhoods, making it one of the most affordable places to live in California near the beach in Los Angeles.
10. Grover Beach
Population: 13,484
Cost of Living Index: 1% Higher than California Average
Median Home Price: $533,200
Location: Check on Google Maps
Here is a small beach community that is located in San Luis Obispo County, about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Highway 1 passes right through this family-friendly town that is famous for its sand dunes and the limitless number of outdoor activities that are possible directly on the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
Grover Beach is also quite safe, with a crime rate that is 25% lower than the national average. Considering the amenities it offers and its prime location between 2 major cities, Grover Beach is a good value and a strong option for the cheapest beachfront property in California.
9. Long Beach
Population: 469,793
Cost of Living Index: 0% Lower than California Average
Median Home Price: $603,600
Location: Check on Google Maps
Here is another neighborhood directly within Los Angeles. Long Beach is the largest place on this list and is located in South LA, right next to San Pedro and just 20 minutes away from its much pricier neighbors of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach.
It’s not exactly a sleepy, coastal village, so be prepared to live a faster pace of life here.
Long Beach may not have had a stellar reputation in the past, but it has been rapidly improving, with many new high-rise buildings and residential townhouses that have been built recently.
Crime rates are just 5% higher than the California average, but just like any city, there are some good and some not so good neighborhoods, so take time to research it further.
Still, Long Beach offers a great value considering its location and its access to legendary SoCal beaches that are just minutes away.
8. Oceanside
Population: 174,811
Cost of Living Index: 1% Lower than California Average
Median Home Price: $539,000
Location: Check on Google Maps
Oceanside is the 3rd largest city in San Diego County, just 35 minutes north of San Diego. It is also right next to Camp Pendleton, a U.S. military base.
There is the famous, scenic pier that reaches far into the ocean and a beautiful stretch of beachfront that is lined with palm trees. Just a few blocks from the water are lively streets filled with restaurants, shops, and cafes.
Oceanside is relatively affordable for a city in this area, and the fact that it is right on the beach makes it one of the most affordable beach towns in California in the San Diego area.
7. Oxnard
Population: 204,572
Cost of Living Index: 3% Lower than California Average
Median Home Price: $503,100
Location: Check on Google Maps
Oxnard is a seaside community about 1 hour northwest of Los Angeles. It’s a neighbor to Ventura, which was #12 on this list.
Like Ventura, Oxnard offers miles of sandy and rocky beaches, but its population is double its size and it is generally more affordable. In fact, home prices here are about $100,000 less than Ventura on average.
Oxnard represents a great value, especially considering everything it has to offer. Residents can enjoy an abundance of outdoor activities on the beach or around the famous Channel Islands Harbor.
There is also a historic downtown that is packed with charming little restaurants and boutiques. It even has its own airport and two automotive museums.
Crime is also 6% lower than the rest of the nation, making it an ideal place for families who want a laid-back environment but still want to be close to Los Angeles.
6. Imperial Beach
Population: 27,180
Cost of Living Index: 3% Lower than California Average
Median Home Price: $609,600
Location: Check on Google Maps
Imperial Beach is a residential community in San Diego that is just 15 minutes from downtown San Diego. It is also only 10 minutes away from the Mexican border.
Residents can take long strolls along the beach as well as enjoy the southernmost pier in California. There are also many restaurants and shops along the busy Seacoast Drive that is just one block away from the water.
Additionally, you can spend time at the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, which is an excellent place for hikers and bikers to enjoy nature.
The homes in Imperial Beach aren’t super cheap, coming in at over $600,000, but the rest of the living costs are reasonable, at a rate of 3% less than the state average. That’s not bad considering the fact that you get direct access to the beach and are in close proximity to San Diego.
5. Oceano
Population: 8,262
Cost of Living Index: 9% Lower than California Average
Median Home Price: $466,300
Location: Check on Google Maps
Oceano is a small little town that is right next to Grover Beach, which was #10 on this list of the cheapest beach towns in California. Oceano is about 7% cheaper than Grover Beach, while its median home price is almost $70,000 lower. What are the possible reasons for this?
Generally, Oceano has fewer amenities than Grover Beach. It offers fewer restaurants and stores compared to Grover Beach, which features the area’s Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Vons, and Aldi. So, you would need to drive a bit further to get to these places.
But, you would get the same easy access to the sandy beaches along Pismo State Beach. Oceano offers a strong balance of value and the beach life in California for those looking to save some cash, making it one the most affordable places to live in California near the beach.
4. Arcata
Population: 17,775
Cost of Living Index: 10% Lower than California Average
Median Home Price: $325,400
Location: Check on Google Maps
Arcata is located in Northern California in Humboldt County, about 5 hours north of San Francisco. This cheap beach town sits right on Arcata Bay and is just 15 minutes from the Pacific Ocean’s shoreline at Humboldt Beach.
The town offers a relaxed lifestyle with a strong, tight knit community among the vast forests surrounding it. In fact, the Redwoods National and State Parks are just 30 minutes from Arcata.
Within the city, there are a handful of locally-owned restaurants and shops primarily clustered near Arcata Plaza, which is the core of the quaint downtown area.
Arcata even has its own university within the city. Humboldt State University helps provide the town with a youthful energy that makes it a fun, yet affordable place to live in California near the beach.
3. Eureka
Old Town Eureka by Joe Mabel licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Population: 27,002
Cost of Living Index: 17% Lower than California Average
Median Home Price: $261,900
Location: Check on Google Maps
Now, we are really getting into some of the cheapest beachfront property in California. Number 3 on our list is Eureka, which is right across Arcata Bay from Arcata in Northern California.
Just 15 minutes south could save you an average of $60,000 on the price of your home when you compare Eureka to Arcata. This is the first city that offers homes for an average of under $300,000, which is quite an accomplishment in California.
So, what does Eureka have to offer? It’s well-known for having a small town feel but with many things to do, especially for nature lovers. Residents can enjoy the sprawling, 67 acre Sequoia Park in the south part of the city or the waterfront in the northern part of town.
There is also the historic Old Town in downtown Eureka, which features Victorian style architecture among the numerous restaurants and shops that line the area.
But, remember that the beaches in Northern California are not quite like the warm, sunny beaches in the southern part of the state. It is generally much colder and rainier up north.
2. Samoa
Population: 220
Cost of Living Index: 21% Lower than California Average
Median Home Price: $218,200
Location: Check on Google Maps
Samoa is located on a peninsula that protects Eureka and Arcata in Northern California. It is a tiny community of just over 200 residents that sits directly between Arcata Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Its strategic location means that you can find the water on both sides of town.
But, its affordable cost may be due to the limited amenities that the town has to offer. Essentially, it is just a handful of residential neighborhoods with only 1 restaurant.
But, that makes it extraordinarily calm and relaxed, which could be ideal for people looking for a slower pace of life.
Although the median home price is quite low, Samoa’s small size means that houses are rarely available for sale. So, you’ll have to be a bit lucky to get your foot into the door of this little beach town.
But, if you do, you’ll manage to snag some of the cheapest beachfront property in California.
1. Crescent City
Population: 6,965
Cost of Living Index: 28% Lower than California Average
Median Home Price: $218,300
Location: Check on Google Maps
Crescent City tops our list of the cheapest beach towns in California. It is one of the most affordable cities in California, period, and just happens to be situated right on the beach.
Crescent City is located way up north in California, just 25 minutes away from Oregon. The city is surrounded by nature in almost every direction that you turn.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is just 10 minutes from the heart of the city, while the sandy coastline hugs the whole southern portion of this coastal town. Residents can enjoy the majestic views over the Pacific Ocean at the pier or in the harbor district.
However, don’t expect 365 days of sunshine up here. The beach is much cooler and cloudier than in SoCal. Additionally, take note of the crime rate in Crescent City – it is about 100% higher than the national average.
Of course, there are good neighborhoods within the city, but you will likely need the support of a local to uncover these hidden gems.
Either way, Crescent City’s low cost of living, which is almost ⅓ lower than the rest of the state, and super affordable homes makes it the king among the most affordable beach towns in California.
Summary – Cheapest Beach Towns in California
These 12 places are the cheapest beach towns in California when you consider the cost of living and housing prices. It is clear that the most affordable places to live in California near the beach are all located in the cooler, northern part of the state.
All of the other options in the middle and southern parts of the state offer housing that starts at almost a half-million dollars.
But, it is still possible to find a relatively good deal near the beach for a decent price. In reality, anything below $1 million is going to be a good value since this type of prime real estate in California is usually filled with the multi-million dollar homes of celebrities and executives.
Be sure to read through our full list of the best cities to live around California if you are interested in the best of the best.
