Daytona Beach ranked among most affordable beach towns in the U.S., according to Thrillist

Brenno Carillo, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·3 min read
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Daytona Beach has earned the reputation as the “World’s Most Famous Beach” for its stunning coastline, vibrant restaurant scene and, of course, NASCAR and racing at the speedway.

And now the city is eyeing another title: one of the nation's most affordable beach towns.

That is how Thrillist, an online travel, food and entertainment publication, classified Daytona Beach in a recent list with other affordable beachside locations across the country.

With an average median home price of $256,550, the site points to the city's proximity to Orlando and other beaches, its dwindling spring break crowds and the chance to drive on the beach as some of the factors that may attract new residents.

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But what does a local realtor have to say about the assessment, and what other towns made Thrillist list?

This landmark sign at the entrance to the "World's Most Famous Beach" is pictured at the east end of East International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach on Monday, Jan. 18, 2021.
This landmark sign at the entrance to the "World's Most Famous Beach" is pictured at the east end of East International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach on Monday, Jan. 18, 2021.

Why is Daytona Beach among the U.S.’s most affordable beach towns?

Daytona Beach Realtor Paul Pratt agrees that the city is among the most affordable beach towns in Florida.

But Thrillist’s median home price does not represent the full picture.

“The average for three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes is probably $330,000. That’s probably a little more accurate,” Pratt said, adding that prices for those types of homes on the beachside normally range from $300,000 to $350,000. “As far as single-family homes, $250,000 can’t really go; it’s a very long way. But $330,000 is still pretty affordable.”

While he could not say for certain what Thrillist’s number is based on, “there are some modular homes, there are townhouses, there are condos – all that sort of stuff. That’s probably where they are getting their info from.”

He said the lack of industries in the area makes the city less attractive to a broader demographic beyond those seeking to retire.

Besides Bike Week and NASCAR, Pratt said the weather and proximity to other famous beach towns, such as New Smyrna Beach and Ormond Beach, as well as to Orlando and Disney World, might be what is most attractive to those considering moving to Daytona.

What other cities made Thrillist’s most affordable beach towns list?

Daytona was not the only Florida city to make the list.

Thrillist also listed Deerfield Beach in Broward County, with a median home price of $297,138.

The South Florida beach town, the site states, is close to other prominent coastal cities, such as Palm Beach and Miami (both more expensive) and has a more “local” feel.

Other notable towns mentioned on the list include Long Beach, Washington ($329,795); Myrtle Beach, South Carolina ($301,846); Swansboro, North Carolina ($322,288); and Coos Bay, Oregon ($319,282).

Towns mentioned in the lower price range included Texas’ Port Arthur ($84,937) and Freeport ($122,312), as well as Ocean Springs, Mississippi ($243,412).

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach homes rank among most affordable for beach towns