Coastal living is surging in popularity, with Google searches for “best and worst seaside towns UK” having jumped by +750% in the past week alone.
As more people consider swapping urban life for sea air, views, and a slower pace, the dream of owning or renting by the coast is stronger than ever.
But with waterfront homes typically commanding a 48% premium over inland properties, where can you still find an affordable seaside home?
The Co-operative Bank examined key affordability factors across UK coastal towns to determine which were the best value for money. The research analysed average house and rental prices, the number of beaches, crime rates, walkability scores, and daily sunshine hours.
| Rank | Town | Average House Price | Average Rent Price (pcm) | Average House Price compared to yearly income | Average Rent Price as a % of monthly income |
| 1 | Oban | £220,458 | £800 | 7.97 | 34.70% |
| 2 | Morecambe | £194,295 | £821 | 7.44 | 37.74% |
| Blackpool | £147,449 | £704 | 6.98 | 40.02% | |
| 4 | Troon | £225,977 | £982 | 7.84 | 40.91% |
| 5 | Filey | £213,669 | £767 | 8.76 | 37.74% |
| 6 | Scarborough | £202,600 | £840 | 8.76 | 43.56% |
| 7 | Whitby | £253,519 | £755 | 10.40 | 37.15% |
| 8 | Southport | £239,472 | £895 | 9.97 | 44.71% |
| 9 | Dunbar | £327,821 | £945 | 12.15 | 42.02% |
| 10 | Swansea | £200,648 | £1,362 | 8.39 | 68.33% |
| 11 | Portsmouth | £278,599 | £1,477 | 10.07 | 64.07% |
| 12 | Torquay | £262,460 | £1,137 | 11.27 | 58.57% |
| 13 | Eastbourne | £313,862 | £1,326 | 11.52 | 58.40% |
| 14 | Weymouth | £305,854 | £1,108 | 12.76 | 55.46% |
| 15 | Hastings | £309,904 | £1,217 | 12.47 | 58.75% |
| 16 | Ramsgate | £273,903 | £1,078 | 12.66 | 59.80% |
| 17 | Deal | £344,245 | £1,344 | 13.08 | 61.30% |
| 18 | Aberystwyth | £241,927 | £1,337 | 11.16 | 73.99% |
| 19 | Margate | £308,550 | £1,199 | 14.26 | 66.51% |
| 20 | Newquay | £345,917 | £1,176 | 15.65 | 63.86% |
Swansea ranks 10th among the UK’s most affordable seaside towns. The town boasts an impressive affordability score of 8.48, with house prices averaging £200,648, representing 8.39 times the yearly income, and rents accounting for 68.33%% of the average monthly income.
Oban tops the list as the UK’s most budget-friendly seaside town, with an overall affordability score of 9.82 out of 10. Known as Scotland’s seafood capital, this picturesque town has one of the lowest average house prices at £220,458. Rent is also notably affordable, averaging £800 per month, just 34.7% of the average monthly income, the lowest rent-to-income ratio among all the locations analysed.
Morecambe ranks second with a total affordability score of 9.80 out of 10. This Lancashire gem captures the essence of the English seaside and has some of the most affordable house prices in the country. The average house price here is lower than in Oban at £194,295. However, rent prices in Morecambe are slightly higher, at an average of £821 per month, working out at 37.7% of the average monthly income.
Blackpool ties with Morecambe for second place, with an overall score of 9.80. The average house price in Blackpool is around £147,449, making it the most affordable seaside town in the UK for property purchases. 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 remains among the most budget-friendly options in the country.
Oban, a resort town in idyllic highlands of Scotland, claims the top spot as the most affordable seaside town in the UK with an average house price of £220,458 coming in at 7.97 times the price of the average yearly income and an average monthly rental price of £800 sitting at 34.70% of the average monthly income.
Completing the podium are Morecambe and Blackpool who are tied at second place with average house costs sitting at 7.44 and 6.98 times the cost of the average yearly income, respectively. In terms of rent costs, Morecambe rent costs sit at 37.74% of the average monthly income and Blackpool rent costs sit at 40.02% of the average monthly income.
Warren Cain, Head of Mortgage Products at The Co-operative Bank, shares tips for seaside buyers: “Buying a home, especially in a sought-after seaside location, requires careful financial planning. Start by researching the average house prices in your preferred seaside town and calculate how much deposit you’ll need. Typically, you’ll need to save a minimum of 10% of the cost of the property you want to buy.”
“You’ll also need to figure out how much you can afford to spend and create a budget. You can use tools like our mortgage calculator to see what property price you can afford or what your monthly mortgage repayment could be.
“Don’t forget to consider additional costs of coastal living such as 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.”
