Escape to an Island Paradise With Homes Under $95,000

Island living is often seen as the ultimate escape. Many of us may have gone on vacation and experienced a week or two of island life; it can be a stark contrast to urban living. The slower, more relaxed pace, a smaller, often tight-knit community, and being surrounded by nature instead of buildings is a refreshing change. It is this allure of seaside living and the laid-back charm of island life that appeals to many, but it’s often seen as out of reach financially. However, an island paradise may be more affordable than you think.

To determine where you can escape to an island paradise with homes under $95,000, Moms Who Think reviewed five-year data on median household value and median household income from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. Island cities, towns, and Census-designated places were ranked based on the ratio of median home value to median household income.

Island status was determined using Census TIGER/Line place boundary definitions for 2022 and shapefile data from the Global Island Explorer database developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in partnership with Esri. If island life is in your future, these locations might be the place for you.

Herron Island, WA

• Median home value: $310,400 (5.0 times income)
• Median household income: $62,054
• Total population: 122

Puget Island, WA

• Median home value: $319,300 (4.9 times income)
• Median household income: $64,593
• Total population: 1,057

Crescent Beach, FL

• Median home value: $512,700 (4.9 times income)
• Median household income: $104,432
• Total population: 936

Sandwich, MA

• Median home value: $486,900 (4.9 times income)
• Median household income: $99,333
• Total population: 2,948

Newport East, RI

• Median home value: $444,300 (4.9 times income)
• Median household income: $90,659
• Total population: 11,644

Coinjock, NC

• Median home value: $200,600 (4.9 times income)
• Median household income: $40,938
• Total population: 301

Upper Grand Lagoon, FL

• Median home value: $316,400 (4.9 times income)
• Median household income: $64,935
• Total population: 17,062

Wabasso Beach, FL

• Median home value: $586,000 (4.9 times income)
• Median household income: $120,673
• Total population: 2,101

Anderson Island, WA

• Median home value: $449,000 (4.8 times income)
• Median household income: $92,933
• Total population: 1,621

Manteo, NC

• Median home value: $375,900 (4.8 times income)
• Median household income: $78,074
• Total population: 1,808

Panama City Beach, FL

• Median home value: $363,900 (4.8 times income)
• Median household income: $76,091
• Total population: 18,281

East Sandwich, MA

• Median home value: $590,000 (4.8 times income)
• Median household income: $123,571
• Total population: 3,787

Matlacha, FL

• Median home value: $370,100 (4.8 times income)
• Median household income: $77,841
• Total population: 837

Yarmouth Port, MA

• Median home value: $486,200 (4.8 times income)
• Median household income: $102,321
• Total population: 5,971

Littlejohn Island, ME

• Median home value: $446,600 (4.7 times income)
• Median household income: $94,943
• Total population: 58

Big Coppitt Key, FL

• Median home value: $481,200 (4.7 times income)
• Median household income: $102,943
• Total population: 3,188

Gwynn, VA

• Median home value: $413,600 (4.6 times income)
• Median household income: $89,009
• Total population: 639

Brigantine, NJ

• Median home value: $423,000 (4.6 times income)
• Median household income: $91,307
• Total population: 7,784

Tierra Verde, FL

• Median home value: $666,100 (4.6 times income)
• Median household income: $143,913
• Total population: 4,072

Pine Island Center, FL

• Median home value: $252,800 (4.5 times income)
• Median household income: $55,565
• Total population: 1,626

Galveston, TX

• Median home value: $258,300 (4.5 times income)
• Median household income: $57,453
• Total population: 53,265

St. Simons, GA

• Median home value: $445,500 (4.5 times income)
• Median household income: $99,432
• Total population: 15,983

Laguna Beach, FL

• Median home value: $329,500 (4.4 times income)
• Median household income: $74,911
• Total population: 4,194

Lower Grand Lagoon, FL

• Median home value: $314,200 (4.4 times income)
• Median household income: $72,083
• Total population: 4,733

Pineland, FL

• Median home value: $401,800 (4.3 times income)
• Median household income: $93,594
• Total population: 379

Port Royal, SC

• Median home value: $292,400 (4.2 times income)
• Median household income: $68,909
• Total population: 14,573

South Beach, FL

• Median home value: $813,500 (4.2 times income)
• Median household income: $193,281
• Total population: 3,120

Lido Beach, NY

• Median home value: $726,100 (4.2 times income)
• Median household income: $172,857
• Total population: 2,615

St. James City, FL

• Median home value: $251,600 (4.0 times income)
• Median household income: $62,415
• Total population: 3,494

Bokeelia, FL

• Median home value: $263,400 (3.9 times income)
• Median household income: $66,691
• Total population: 2,230

Shell Point, SC

• Median home value: $236,900 (3.9 times income)
• Median household income: $60,676
• Total population: 2,026

Harkers Island, NC

• Median home value: $264,300 (3.9 times income)
• Median household income: $67,888
• Total population: 1,104

Laurel Bay, SC

• Median home value: $215,600 (3.9 times income)
• Median household income: $55,658
• Total population: 5,513

Mashpee Neck, MA

• Median home value: $518,600 (3.8 times income)
• Median household income: $135,536
• Total population: 1,270

Buxton, NC

• Median home value: $328,600 (3.8 times income)
• Median household income: $87,344
• Total population: 1,477

Akutan, AK

• Median home value: $106,300 (3.7 times income)
• Median household income: $28,750
• Total population: 911

Grandy, NC

• Median home value: $260,500 (3.7 times income)
• Median household income: $70,610
• Total population: 2,438

Cousins Island, ME

• Median home value: $603,400 (3.6 times income)
• Median household income: $168,571
• Total population: 504

Wanchese, NC

• Median home value: $249,700 (3.5 times income)
• Median household income: $71,484
• Total population: 2,005

Jamaica Beach, TX

• Median home value: $300,500 (3.5 times income)
• Median household income: $86,923
• Total population: 1,103

Waves, NC

• Median home value: $547,800 (3.4 times income)
• Median household income: $158,860
• Total population: 139

Burton, SC

• Median home value: $189,200 (3.2 times income)
• Median household income: $58,390
• Total population: 7,603

Barataria, LA

• Median home value: $167,000 (3.0 times income)
• Median household income: $55,313
• Total population: 772

Harbor Island, SC

• Median home value: $295,000 (3.0 times income)
• Median household income: $97,825
• Total population: 277

Shishmaref, AK

• Median home value: $118,300 (2.1 times income)
• Median household income: $56,875
• Total population: 568

Daufuskie Island, SC

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

Smith Island, MD

• Median home value: $109,300 (1.3 times income)
• Median household income: $82,878
• Total population: 357

Kaktovik, AK

• Median home value: $93,000 (1.1 times income)
• Median household income: $86,458
• Total population: 201

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Marilyn D. Lambertz/Shutterstock.com.