Beaches and Florida go together like Beer and Pizza. Now finding the best beach towns in Florida is going to be a struggle. There are just so many to choose from. However, we’ve compiled a list of the best small beach towns in Florida. We’ve also included a handy Livability rating and house values, so if you’re thinking of moving to a small beach town in Florida – we’ve got you covered!
Let’s get straight into it…
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Located on Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach is a scenic delight situated on Amelia Island. With amazing views of the Atlantic Coast, it’s an incredibly unique small beach town. The miles of beaches aside, the wildlife and world-class golf courses draw in an abundance of tourists. The top beaches include Main Beach Park, Seaside Park, and Peters Point Beachfront Park. They are all perfect to take in the views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The average house value for properties stands at around $644,637. This has increased by a whopping 25% on the previous year. Additionally, in terms of Livability, the city scores a modest 67/100.
Anna Maria Island, Florida
Known for its sugar-white coastline, Anna Maria is a fantastic small resort city. It is located on a barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It has a low resident population of less than a thousand people. However, the beaches gather many tourists during the peak season. Some of the main beaches to visit include Bean Point Beach, Bayfront Park, and Palma Sola Bay.
The average house value for properties on Anna Maria Island is $2,354,848, which has had an increase of almost 30% from the previous year. The city scores an impressive 70/100 for Livability.
Vero Beach, Florida
Next up, we have Vero Beach located on the east coast of Florida. It is a stunning city, most well-known for its offerings of water sports, fishing, and golf. There are many beaches to choose from if you’re in the city. However, the most popular include South Beach Park, Vero Beach, and Sexton Plaza Beach. Don’t be afraid to venture out to any of the beaches available in the city. They’re all a delight.
Additionally, a 20-minute car journey from the center of Vero Beach will get you to the Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge Center, which is a fantastic place. The Indian River Lagoon is also not too far from there.
The house price values in Vero Beach sit at around $390,916 at the time of writing. This again has had a 20% increase from the previous year. The city also scores a respectable 70/100 for Livability, with low cost of living being the highest-rated factor.
Sanibel Island, Florida
Sanibel Island and, by extension Captiva Island are really special. The views and scenery available are absolutely fantastic. The beaches in Sanibel have been awarded the best shelling beaches due to the abundance of shells found here. There are many beaches to choose from, the best ones being Bowman’s Beach, Lighthouse Beach Park, and our personal favorite, Gulfside City Park Beach.
In terms of house price, the current average is $1,340,945, which is a 22% increase from the previous year. Due to its residents and tourists, Sanibel Island features much lower crime rates than the national average. As a result, it scores 66/100 for Livability, with low crime rates being the best factor.
Destin, Florida
Up next, we have Destin. It is a city located in the area known as Panhandle. Its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico means it benefits from some beautiful beaches. The top beaches to visit in Destin include Henderson Beach State Park, Miramar Beach, and James Lee Beach. The city is also close to the Grayton Beach State Park, providing easy access to the white sand beaches.
In terms of house prices, the current average stands at $663,781, which has had an increase of 19.2% from the previous year. The city scores a commendable 71/100 for Livability, with low costs of living and a low crime rate.
Delray Beach, Florida
Nestled on the southeast coast of Florida, Delray Beach is the next addition to our list. With a thriving arts and culture scene, it is a unique place. As a small beach town, it offers many amenities that you’d expect in a city. However, Delray Public Beach offers a beach escape that draws tourists in and keeps them captivated.
Additionally, Delray Beach is in an ideal location, with Boca Raton less than ten miles away. Other major cities include West Palm Beach, which is only a 20-minute car journey away. The exploration opportunities are endless!
The current average house price in Delray Beach stands at $387,361; this is a 27% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, Livability rankings score Delray Beach 67/100, with the low costs of living pushing up the score.
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Next up, we have the city of Cocoa Beach. It provides an ideal family vacation destination, in part due to the many amenities available. From surf shops to eateries and more – Cocoa beach has it all. Be sure to check out the Cocoa Beach Pier, as it is a historic landmark.
The city is most well known for its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Besides the beach, the city is also home to four oceanfront parks, such as the 10-acre Sidney Fisher Park.
The current average house price for Cocoa Beach is $536,484, which is a 17.6% increase from the previous year. Additionally, in terms of Livability, the city scores 67/100.
Key Biscayne, Florida
The next addition to our list of best beach towns in Florida is Key Biscayne. It is located between Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Parks. It is a beach haven, that’s for sure. Acres of beaches, mangroves, and tropical forests make up the scenery of this city. Additionally, it is only a 12-minute car journey from Miami, which opens up the door for lots of entertainment.
The current average house value for properties in Key Biscayne stands at $1,669,543, which is an increase of 23.9% from the previous year. The city scores an impressive 72/100 for Livability, with all the important factors of cost of living, education standards, and crime rates being better than average.
Cedar Key, Florida
Our next city comes in the form of Cedar Key. The town, located in the Gulf of Mexico, is laden with history. Much of which can be explored through the Cedar Key Museum State Park. Additionally, the Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge draws in plenty of visitors. The city is most well known for its seafood cuisine. For those looking to explore beaches, Cedar Key Beach, Shired Island Beach, and Rainbow Springs State Park are excellent places to start.
The current average house value in Cedar Key stands at $363,911, which has actually dropped by 16.4% from the previous year. It may be the only beach town on this list where that has happened. However, in terms of Livability, Cedar Key scores an impressive 74/100, with low costs of living and low crime rates boosting the score.
Tarpon Springs, Florida
Our final best beach town in Florida is Tarpon Springs. Built on a solid history of Greek culture, Tarpon Springs is genuinely amazing. Its history couldn’t be better characterized than a visit to Dodecanese Boulevard to enjoy some Greek cuisine. With multiple beaches to choose from, the top selections include Sunset Beach, Howard Park Beach, and Tarpon Beach. All of which are truly stunning
In terms of house price, the current average value is $427,818, which is an increase of 19.8% from the previous year. In terms of Livability, the city scores 71/100, with the low cost of living being the highest-rated factor.
Final Thoughts
Florida is home to some great beach towns. This list is not nearly as comprehensive as we would have liked. We’re missing some of the greats, such as Daytona Beach or Key West in the Florida Keys. However, we have had to narrow it down to our top ten but we hope you were able to find this helpful. If there was a particular city that you were expecting, be sure to give it a search on our website for the statistics. Feel free to browse the rest of our site for even more informative articles.