The most affordable seaside towns in the UK
23 May 2025
5 min read
According to recent data, demand for seaside properties has surged by an impressive 115% compared to pre-pandemic levels, suggesting that many Brits are eager to swap city living for a life by the coast. But as demand grows, so too do prices, making house hunting at the seaside a bit more of a challenge.
To help make the dream of coastal living more achievable, we’ve used data from Rightmove to reveal the most affordable UK coastal towns for both buying and renting. On top of that, we’ve also looked into things like the number of beaches and average sunshine hours to find out the very best seaside towns in the UK to satisfy coastal cravings.
The top 20 most affordable seaside locations in the UK
1. Oban
As well as being known as Scotland’s seafood capital, our ranking crowns Oban as the most budget-friendly seaside town in the UK.
The average house price in this charming resort town is £220,458, which works out as 7.97 times the average yearly income for the area. That might seem like a large percentage, but it’s actually one of the lowest on the list, making Oban an attractive option for buyers on a budget.
Even better, the average rent price in Oban is £800 per month, which is 34.7% of the average monthly income. That’s the lowest percentage of all locations we looked at – so if you’re looking to rent affordably in a seaside town, Oban could be a great choice.
On top of affordable prices, Oban also offers incredible coastal views and plenty of nearby beaches to soak up the Scottish scenery.
2. Morecambe
In second place is Morecambe. This Lancashire gem captures the essence of the English seaside, offering panoramic views over the seafront – as well as some of the most affordable house prices in the country.
The average house price here is actually lower than in Oban at £194,295, working out as 7.44 times the average annual income. However, rent prices in Morecambe are slightly higher, at an average of £821 per month. That’s 37.7% of the average monthly income.
3. Blackpool
Blackpool actually ties with Morecambe for second place, largely thanks to its very affordable house prices. The average house will set you back £147,449 in Blackpool, which is 6.98 times an average yearly salary – making Blackpool the most affordable seaside town to purchase a property in the UK.
Unfortunately, Blackpool is slightly let down by its rent prices. At an average of £704 per month, rent in Blackpool works out as 40% of the average monthly salary, which is higher than in Morecambe or Oban. That being said, it’s still among the most budget-friendly in the country.
4. Troon
Troon takes the fourth spot on our list of the most affordable seaside towns in the UK. With an average house price of £225,977 – that’s 7.84 times the local average annual salary – this picturesque town on Scotland’s west coast offers relatively accessible property prices compared to other coastal locations.
Renters can also find good value here, with the average monthly rent coming in at £982, which equates to 40.9% of the local average monthly income. That’s among the more reasonable ratios we found, making Troon an appealing option for both buyers and renters. Add in its sandy beaches, world-class golf courses, and easy access to Glasgow, and it’s easy to see why Troon stands out.
5. Filey
Filey rounds out the top five in our ranking of the UK’s most affordable seaside towns, offering a balance between coastal charm and cost of living.
The average property price in this North Yorkshire haven is £213,669 – equivalent to 8.76 times the local average annual income. While that ratio is slightly higher than some other towns on the list, it still represents a comparatively affordable route to homeownership by the sea.
For renters, Filey is even more appealing: the average monthly rent of £767 accounts for just 37.7% of the typical monthly salary in the area. That makes it one of the better-value options for those looking to enjoy life on the coast without breaking the bank.
The top 20 best seaside locations in the UK
When it comes to where all the best individual locations are situated, the South West of England comes out on top with every town in the top five being located in either Cornwall or Devon:
1. Falmouth
Falmouth takes the crown as the best seaside town in the UK, and it's easy to see why. Nestled in the heart of Cornwall – which is home to a very impressive 142 beaches – this vibrant coastal town is bursting with natural beauty.
Falmouth boasts a walkability score of 92, making it easy to get around on foot and soak up the harbour views, independent shops and local seafood spots. With a low crime rate of 36 per 1,000 people, it’s among the safest seaside spots in the country. On top of that, Cornwall sees an average of 4.5 hours of sunshine per day – not too bad for England.
Whether you’re into beach-hopping or simply enjoying the coastal lifestyle, Falmouth is hard to beat.
2. St Ives
Coming in second is the stunning St Ives, another Cornish gem with postcard-worthy beaches and a laid-back artistic vibe.
Known for its turquoise waters and thriving art scene, this town offers not just beauty but peace of mind, too – its crime rate of just 19 per 1,000 people is among the lowest in the country. With a strong walkability score of 84, most of the town’s galleries and cafés are just a short stroll away.
Add to that the benefit of Cornwall’s 142 beaches, and St Ives becomes a dream destination for anyone craving coastal living with a safe and friendly feel.
3. Newquay
Newquay takes third place, and is a top choice for lovers of surf and sand.
While its crime rate is higher than some others on the list at 71 per 1,000 people, it still falls well below many UK towns. A solid walkability score of 88 means getting from surf schools to sea-view cafes is a breeze. And with easy access to Cornwall’s unmatched selection of beaches, locals are well positioned to enjoy some of the UK’s best coastal experiences.
4. Salcombe
In fourth place is Salcombe, a serene Devonshire town with picture-perfect estuary views.
It's the safest town on the list with an impressively low crime rate of just 11 per 1,000 people, making it an excellent choice for families or anyone prioritising peace and quiet. And while it has the lowest walkability score among the top five at 75, it’s still comfortably accessible.
With access to Devon’s 131 beaches and an average of 4.7 sunshine hours per day, Salcombe offers a sunny and secure escape on the south coast.
5. Torquay
Fifth place goes to Torquay, a classic English Riviera destination in Devon.
Torquay offers a walkability score of 87, meaning most of its seafront attractions and shops are easily reachable on foot. It does have the highest crime rate in the top five at 82 per 1,000 people, but this is still relatively low by national standards.
Torquay’s access to Devon’s many beaches and mild coastal climate make it an attractive option for anyone seeking a lively yet scenic seaside setting, complete with good local amenities and a holiday vibe that lasts year-round.
In sixth place you can find the first town that isn’t located within Cornwall or Devon - Bournemouth. With a walkability score of 97 and higher amount of average daily sunshine hours compared to the towns that rank higher overall, Bournemouth could be the ideal location for those who enjoy long walks in the sun.
Advice for seaside buyers
Buying a home, especially in a sought-after seaside location, requires careful financial planning. Here are some expert tips from Warren Cain, Head of Mortgage Products at The Co-operative Bank, on how to save effectively for your dream coastal property.
Set a realistic savings goal
To know how much you’ll need in savings, start by researching the average house prices in your preferred seaside town and calculate how much your deposit will need to be. Typically, you’ll need to save a minimum of 10% of the cost of the property you want to buy.
Mortgage lenders also tend to offer lower interest rates to buyers with larger deposits, so the more you can save, the better your chances of securing a favourable deal.
Know your budget
Before you start searching for homes, it's essential to determine how much you can realistically afford. This will help you focus on properties within your budget and avoid falling in love with a coastal home you can't afford.
There are a number of factors to consider when calculating your budget, like your income, expenses and debt. You can use tools like our mortgage calculator to find out what property price you can afford or what your monthly mortgage repayment might be.
Consider the full costs of coastal life
While the seaside towns in our list offer affordability, it’s important to consider any additional costs that can come as a result of choosing the seaside lifestyle.
These could include flood insurance premiums that may be higher in coastal locations, the maintenance costs for sea-facing homes (such as salty air causing wear and tear), and the commuter costs that may incur if you work outside of your new town.
Sources & Methodology
You can find the full ranking and data via this link.
This analysis identified the most affordable seaside locations in the UK by analysing key factors that contribute to cost-effective coastal living. Our ranking was based on the following metrics:
- Average House Prices – Collected from Rightmove, using overall average prices for each location.
- Average Rent Prices – Sourced from Home.co.uk to reflect the typical cost of renting in each area.
- Median gross weekly earnings – Collected from ONS, and multiplied to discover average monthly and yearly earnings.
We also analysed four other key metrics to discover the best seaside towns in the UK:
- Number of Beaches – Gathered from The Beach Guide, listing the total number of beaches within the relevant county.
- Crime Rates – Pulled from CrimeRate.co.uk for England and Wales, and DataMap Scotland for Scottish locations, based on crimes per 1,000 people.
- Walkability Scores – Retrieved from Walk Score by analysing how pedestrian-friendly each town is.
- Average Daily Sunshine Hours – Compiled from sources like Weather2Travel and Weather and Climate, calculating the total annual average of daily sunshine hours.
It's important to note that search data may not fully capture financial confidence or resilience, as individual behaviour varies widely. Some people may seek financial advice from sources other than online searches, while others might not search at all despite experiencing financial concerns.
Not found what you're looking for?
Contact our support team