Discover Affordable Living in Stunning Vacation Areas

We've all been there -- falling in love with a vacation spot and dreaming of making it our permanent home. Yet, life often gets in the way, and those plans are set aside, especially when home prices seem beyond reach. But now, those dreams are more attainable than ever. Whether you're envisioning life by the beach, a serene lakefront, or nestled in the mountains, these vacation communities offer affordable options for everyone.

Methodology

To determine vacation communities with the most affordable homes, Moms Who Think reviewed five years of data on median household value and median household income from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey.

Cities, towns, and Census-designated places were ranked based on the ratio of median home value to median household income. Only places with at least 500 residents where at least 40% of housing units are vacant for seasonal or recreational use were considered.

50. Casper Mountain, WY

Median home value: $423,400 (3.0 times income)
Median household income: $140,556
Total population: 671

49. Long Lake, NY

Median home value: $202,100 (3.0 times income)
Median household income: $67,917
Total population: 666

48. Saw Creek, PA

Median home value: $196,500 (2.9 times income)
Median household income: $67,331
Total population: 4,071

47. Lake Carroll, IL

Median home value: $285,400 (2.9 times income)
Median household income: $99,297
Total population: 758

46. Port O'Connor, TX

Median home value: $256,600 (2.8 times income)
Median household income: $91,150
Total population: 791

45. Basye, VA

Median home value: $241,900 (2.8 times income)
Median household income: $86,028
Total population: 1,341

44. Towamensing Trails, PA

Median home value: $216,200 (2.8 times income)
Median household income: $76,983
Total population: 1,712

43. Port Austin, MI

Median home value: $147,100 (2.8 times income)
Median household income: $53,125
Total population: 667

42. Big River, CA

Median home value: $128,200 (2.7 times income)
Median household income: $47,222
Total population: 1,028

41. Fawn Lake Forest, PA

Median home value: $211,300 (2.7 times income)
Median household income: $78,036
Total population: 667

40. Caseville, MI

Median home value: $142,900 (2.7 times income)
Median household income: $52,917
Total population: 674

39. Lake Waynoka, OH

Median home value: $226,400 (2.7 times income)
Median household income: $84,063
Total population: 1,103

38. Cordry Sweetwater Lakes, IN

Median home value: $283,300 (2.7 times income)
Median household income: $105,673
Total population: 1,328

37. The Galena Territory, IL

Median home value: $291,300 (2.6 times income)
Median household income: $112,250
Total population: 1,606

36. Cleora, OK

Median home value: $199,600 (2.6 times income)
Median household income: $77,604
Total population: 1,508

35. Blue Ridge Shores, VA

Median home value: $232,900 (2.6 times income)
Median household income: $90,938
Total population: 666

34. Mountain Lakes, NH

Median home value: $150,800 (2.6 times income)
Median household income: $59,107
Total population: 597

33. Lakes of the North, MI

Median home value: $158,300 (2.5 times income)
Median household income: $62,179
Total population: 1,031

32. Old Forge, NY

Median home value: $335,200 (2.5 times income)
Median household income: $132,645
Total population: 573

31. Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH

Median home value: $115,600 (2.5 times income)
Median household income: $45,755
Total population: 1,085

30. Conneaut Lakeshore, PA

Median home value: $169,000 (2.5 times income)
Median household income: $67,063
Total population: 1,933

29. Wells, NY

Median home value: $189,700 (2.5 times income)
Median household income: $75,583
Total population: 571

28. Smallwood, NY

Median home value: $157,400 (2.5 times income)
Median household income: $63,909
Total population: 666

27. Sylvan Beach, NY

Median home value: $118,400 (2.5 times income)
Median household income: $48,125
Total population: 856

26. Bass Lake, IN

Median home value: $170,300 (2.4 times income)
Median household income: $70,110
Total population: 1,018

25. Woodridge, NY

Median home value: $167,900 (2.4 times income)
Median household income: $70,313
Total population: 936

24. Saybrook-on-the-Lake, OH

Median home value: $144,600 (2.4 times income)
Median household income: $61,094
Total population: 1,112

23. Sand Lake, MI

Median home value: $109,100 (2.4 times income)
Median household income: $46,250
Total population: 1,178

22. Lake Medina Shores, TX

Median home value: $132,000 (2.3 times income)
Median household income: $56,200
Total population: 532

21. Chokoloskee, FL

Median home value: $213,000 (2.3 times income)
Median household income: $91,080
Total population: 1,061

20. Oak Run, IL

Median home value: $267,300 (2.3 times income)
Median household income: $117,375
Total population: 673

19. Caroga Lake, NY

Median home value: $114,700 (2.3 times income)
Median household income: $50,565
Total population: 577

18. Elsah, IL

Median home value: $187,500 (2.3 times income)
Median household income: $83,125
Total population: 629

17. Pocono Pines, PA

Median home value: $211,100 (2.2 times income)
Median household income: $95,833
Total population: 654

16. Rangeley, ME

Median home value: $105,600 (2.2 times income)
Median household income: $48,026
Total population: 568

15. Round Top, NY

Median home value: $199,000 (2.1 times income)
Median household income: $94,353
Total population: 663

14. Wallenpaupack Lake Estates, PA

Median home value: $185,700 (2.1 times income)
Median household income: $90,408
Total population: 1,075

13. Lake Michigan Beach, MI

Median home value: $163,800 (2.0 times income)
Median household income: $81,023
Total population: 918

12. Chippewa Park, OH

Median home value: $118,000 (2.0 times income)
Median household income: $58,661
Total population: 650

11. Pymatuning Central, PA

Median home value: $116,200 (2.0 times income)
Median household income: $58,068
Total population: 2,325

10. Daufuskie Island, SC

Median home value: $290,400 (2.0 times income)
Median household income: $146,349
Total population: 569

9. St. Helen, MI

Median home value: $76,000 (2.0 times income)
Median household income: $38,445
Total population: 2,822

8. Legend Lake, WI

Median home value: $160,700 (1.9 times income)
Median household income: $86,563
Total population: 1,530

7. Atlanta, MI

Median home value: $68,000 (1.8 times income)
Median household income: $38,000
Total population: 576

6. Thunderbird Bay, TX

Median home value: $76,700 (1.8 times income)
Median household income: $43,750
Total population: 766

5. Indian Lake, MO

Median home value: $182,400 (1.7 times income)
Median household income: $105,108
Total population: 1,000

4. Salome, AZ

Median home value: $116,600 (1.5 times income)
Median household income: $79,745
Total population: 708

3. Lake Colorado City, TX

Median home value: $90,200 (1.4 times income)
Median household income: $65,000
Total population: 903

2. Desert Edge, CA

Median home value: $53,600 (1.4 times income)
Median household income: $38,668
Total population: 3,715

1. Buffalo, IN

Median home value: $137,800 (1.1 times income)
Median household income: $120,333
Total population: 776