#1. Naples, Florida- Total score: 62.5- Affordability rank: #30- Weather rank: #100- Safety rank: #69- Economy rank: #43- Education & health rank: #84- Quality of life rank: #1
This south Florida town sits on the Gulf Coast and features a myriad of coffee shops and nightlife options. Residents and tourists can lounge on the white sand of Vanderbilt Beach Park or get in a round of golf at a course nearby.
#2. Lahaina, Hawaii- Total score: 61.3
- Affordability rank: #68
- Weather rank: #31
- Safety rank: #2
- Economy rank: #34
- Education & health rank: #45
- Quality of life rank: #8
Lahaina is located on the northwest corner of Maui, close to the West Maui Forest Reserve. The historic town serves a popular tourist destination since it’s home to the Kaanapali and Kapalua beach resorts.
#3. Boca Raton, Florida- Total score: 61.0
- Affordability rank: #17
- Weather rank: #5
- Safety rank: #85
- Economy rank: #13
- Education & health rank: #57
- Quality of life rank: #16
Boca Raton sits between West Palm Beach and Miami on Florida’s east coast. For a day away from the beach, residents can shop at Mizner Park or take in some culture at the Boca Raton Museum of Art.
#4. Newport Beach, California- Total score: 60.0
- Affordability rank: #69
- Weather rank: #56
- Safety rank: #44
- Economy rank: #44
- Education & health rank: #12
- Quality of life rank: #13
Newport Beach is more than a great beach town; it also shows up on lists of the best places to live in the U.S. Though real estate isn’t cheap, Balboa Island is a great place for locals and tourists to visit. Kids and parents can enjoy the Balboa Fun Zone.
#5. Santa Monica, California- Total score: 59.9
- Affordability rank: #122
- Weather rank: #26
- Safety rank: #108
- Economy rank: #15
- Education & health rank: #29
- Quality of life rank: #3
Santa Monica is a coastal city 16 miles west of Los Angeles. Santa Monica State Beach is a favorite local hangout perfect for swimming, surfing, or biking along the stunning Marvin Braude Bike Trail.
#6. Sarasota, Florida- Total score: 59.7
- Affordability rank: #46
- Weather rank: #24
- Safety rank: #116
- Economy rank: #58
- Education & health rank: #71
- Quality of life rank: #2
Don’t worry about finding caffeine or a place to eat in Sarasota. Beach-goers can get some sun and sand at a variety of beach locations, including the popular Siesta Key.
#7. Kailua, Hawaii- Total score: 59.6
- Affordability rank: #28
- Weather rank: #103
- Safety rank: #53
- Economy rank: #1
- Education & health rank: #40
- Quality of life rank: #20
Kailua residents get to enjoy the world-renowned Kailua and Lanikai beaches, and enjoy delicious food from roadside stands, food trucks, weekly farmers markets, and local restaurants and bars. The town is mostly covered in tropical rainforest and is home to the Waimea Canyon and the Nounou Trails—both popular hiking spots.
#8. Carlsbad, California- Total score: 58.9
- Affordability rank: #22
- Weather rank: #69
- Safety rank: #66
- Economy rank: #8
- Education & health rank: #19
- Quality of life rank: #27
There’s plenty to do in Carlsbad, which is located on the Pacific coast in Southern California. Locals can get in the water at Terramar or Tamarack beaches, or get a pint at a local brewery. Residents can also check out the Carlsbad Village Faire, the largest one-day street fair in the country.
#9. Encinitas, California- Total score: 58.2
- Affordability rank: #24
- Weather rank: #66
- Safety rank: #36
- Economy rank: #21
- Education & health rank: #14
- Quality of life rank: #33
Encinitas is a Southern California town along the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s a well-known surf spot—complete with surfer crossing signs—that typically has much less of a crowd than San Diego, which is 25 miles south.
#10. Vero Beach, Florida- Total score: 58.2
- Affordability rank: #55
- Weather rank: #33
- Safety rank: #19
- Economy rank: #49
- Education & health rank: #102
- Quality of life rank: #12
In the southeast corner of Florida, Vero Beach is a prime spot for those who like to golf. It’s close to the Grand Harbor Golf Course, Vero Beach Country Club, and Quail Valley River Club, just to name a few.
#11. Santa Barbara, California- Total score: 58.0
- Affordability rank: #114
- Weather rank: #82
- Safety rank: #39
- Economy rank: #38
- Education & health rank: #74
- Quality of life rank: #6
Santa Barbara is on the Pacific coast north of Los Angeles, close to fellow coastal town Goleta. It’s a prime spot for wine lovers since it’s home to more than 200 wineries. Beach fans can lounge or get active at Arroyo Burro Beach and East Beach.
#12. Destin, Florida- Total score: 58.0
- Affordability rank: #5
- Weather rank: #111
- Safety rank: #101
- Economy rank: #56
- Education & health rank: #46
- Quality of life rank: #14
This Gulf Coast town is right off Florida’s northern panhandle and features reasonably priced homes for beach living. Residents can spend their days enjoying the city’s white sandy beaches, play several rounds of golf, or get into some fishing on their own or with a charter service, of which there are plenty.
#13. North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina- Total score: 57.6
- Affordability rank: #23
- Weather rank: #10
- Safety rank: #129
- Economy rank: #5
- Education & health rank: #26
- Quality of life rank: #10
Residents of North Myrtle Beach are close to the Atlantic Ocean and can fish or have dinner at the historic Cherry Grove Pier. McLean Park offers walking paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
#14. Laguna Beach, California- Total score: 57.1
- Affordability rank: #83
- Weather rank: #53
- Safety rank: #75
- Economy rank: #29
- Education & health rank: #42
- Quality of life rank: #22
It costs more than $2 million, on average, to purchase a home in Laguna Beach. Residents can take in the Pacific Ocean at Heisler Park, an oceanfront stretch with walking trails, gardens, and lawn bowling greens
#15. Fernandina Beach, Florida- Total score: 56.6
- Affordability rank: #54
- Weather rank: #40
- Safety rank: #25
- Economy rank: #66
- Education & health rank: #76
- Quality of life rank: #25
This northeastern Florida town is on Amelia Island. It has 13 miles of beach, including Main Beach Park, and is home to the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival.
#16. San Clemente, California- Total score: 56.4
- Affordability rank: #42
- Weather rank: #48
- Safety rank: #46
- Economy rank: #23
- Education & health rank: #15
- Quality of life rank: #52
Located in between Los Angeles and San Diego, San Clemente is away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Residents can choose from two great beaches: San Clemente State Beach or San Onofre State Beach.
#17. Venice, Florida- Total score: 56.4
- Affordability rank: #39
- Weather rank: #8
- Safety rank: #87
- Economy rank: #33
- Education & health rank: #13
- Quality of life rank: #44
Venice—the “shark tooth capital of the world”—hugs the Gulf of Mexico along Florida’s western coast. Residents have access to great beaches like Caspersen Beach. They can also take in some music: The Venice Symphony offers year-round concerts, events, and education.
#18. Hermosa Beach, California- Total score: 56.2
- Affordability rank: #64
- Weather rank: #30
- Safety rank: #11
- Economy rank: #18
- Education & health rank: #47
- Quality of life rank: #39
Hermosa Beach is sandwiched between Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, making up California’s “South Bay.” The Hermosa Beach Pier is a popular spot to hit the beach and take in a view of the Pacific Ocean.
#19. Seal Beach, California- Total score: 56.2
- Affordability rank: #93
- Weather rank: #52
- Safety rank: #65
- Economy rank: #7
- Education & health rank: #4
- Quality of life rank: #59
Orange County’s Seal Beach is a Los Angeles suburb has top-notch schools, and a comparatively affordable housing market. Retirees and young families alike flock to the beach town, which has maintained an old-fashioned, small-town vibe (particularly in the Old Town neighborhood) with plenty of independent shops and early-20th-century architecture.
#20. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina- Total score: 56.1
- Affordability rank: #47
- Weather rank: #7
- Safety rank: #141
- Economy rank: #68
- Education & health rank: #90
- Quality of life rank: #4
Myrtle Beach may be a popular vacation spot for beach bums and golfers, but it also makes for a great place to live. Low income taxes and incentives for small businesses make it an ideal destination for young families and entrepreneurs starting out.