Drawing from the November 30 Zillow Home Value Index data, the Atlantic coastal real estate market reveals fascinating patterns in affordability across three key states: Florida, Maryland, and Virginia. Analysis shows distinct clustering of affordable coastal neighborhoods in specific regions, with Baltimore’s Curtis Bay leading at $103,990, while Northwood Shores in West Palm Beach tops the list at $502,716. The Hampton Roads region of Virginia, particularly Norfolk and Virginia Beach, contributes significantly to the affordable spectrum, while Florida’s entries are predominantly in the West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale areas.
Appreciation patterns across these coastal neighborhoods tell a compelling story of market evolution from 2015 to 2024. North Shore in West Palm Beach shows remarkable growth at 195.8%, while Baltimore’s Inner Harbor demonstrates more modest appreciation at 6.6%. The overall average appreciation of 87.6% reflects strong growth across these waterfront markets, though with notable regional variations. Virginia’s coastal communities show consistent moderate appreciation between 60-75%, while Florida’s neighborhoods generally demonstrate more dramatic value increases, particularly in the Palm Beach County area. Notably, even these most affordable coastal neighborhoods maintain relatively strong values compared to their inland counterparts, reflecting the persistent premium for waterfront living.
#30. Curtis Bay (Baltimore, MD)
Curtis Bay, situated along Baltimore’s industrial waterfront approximately 5 miles south of the Inner Harbor, represents the most affordable Atlantic coastal neighborhood. Located on the Patapsco River with views of the Port of Baltimore, this historically industrial area has seen property values rise from $50,786 in 2015 to $68,851 in 2020, before reaching $103,990 in 2024, marking a substantial 104.8% appreciation despite maintaining the lowest prices among coastal neighborhoods.
#29. Lynn Shores (Portsmouth, VA)
Lynn Shores, positioned along the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth about 3 miles from downtown Norfolk, offers affordable waterfront living in the Hampton Roads region. Located near the Portsmouth Naval Hospital and featuring water views, property values have increased from $148,849 in 2015 to $170,044 in 2020, before reaching $261,596 in 2024, showing a solid 75.7% appreciation while maintaining relative affordability.
Naval Air Station Oceana, located in southern Virginia Beach about 5 miles from the oceanfront and adjacent to the military installation, offers affordable coastal living in this resort city. Despite its inland location, this neighborhood provides easy access to both the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic beaches. Property values have grown from $160,727 in 2015 to $192,717 in 2020, before reaching $267,485 in 2024, showing a steady 66.4% appreciation while remaining one of the more affordable options in the Virginia Beach area.
#27. West Ocean View (Norfolk, VA)
West Ocean View, situated directly on the Chesapeake Bay in Norfolk and offering public beach access, represents one of the region’s most affordable true waterfront communities. Located about 8 miles from downtown Norfolk and featuring the Ocean View Fishing Pier, property values have increased from $167,005 in 2015 to $199,112 in 2020, before reaching $283,309 in 2024, achieving a 69.6% appreciation while maintaining accessibility for coastal homebuyers.
#26. Villages of Palm Beach Lakes (West Palm Beach, FL)
Villages of Palm Beach Lakes, positioned in West Palm Beach just 3 miles from the Intracoastal Waterway and 4 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, provides affordable access to South Florida coastal living. Near the Palm Beach Outlets and just minutes from downtown West Palm Beach, property values have risen from $133,428 in 2015 to $181,934 in 2020, before reaching $291,529 in 2024, showing an impressive 118.5% appreciation.
#25. Bayview Beach (Norfolk, VA)
Bayview Beach, located along the Chesapeake Bay in Norfolk about 7 miles from downtown, offers direct bay access and beach living. Near the popular Ocean View Beach Park and featuring waterfront dining options, property values have increased from $170,744 in 2015 to $207,537 in 2020, before reaching $297,280 in 2024, demonstrating a solid 74.1% appreciation while remaining relatively affordable for waterfront property.
#24. South Bayview (Norfolk, VA)
South Bayview, situated along the Chesapeake Bay in Norfolk’s Ocean View area, provides affordable waterfront living with easy beach access. Located near the historic Ocean View Amusement Park site and featuring bay views, property values have grown from $186,895 in 2015 to $219,982 in 2020, before reaching $311,323 in 2024, showing a steady 66.6% appreciation.
#23. Oceana (Virginia Beach, VA)
Oceana, positioned near Naval Air Station Oceana and about 4 miles from the Virginia Beach oceanfront, offers affordable coastal area living. Close to both military facilities and recreation areas, property values have increased from $183,430 in 2015 to $220,708 in 2020, before reaching $312,267 in 2024, marking a 70.2% appreciation while maintaining accessibility for military and civilian homebuyers.
#22. Bayside (Virginia Beach, VA)
Bayside, located between the Chesapeake Bay and Lynnhaven River in Virginia Beach, offers waterfront accessibility at a moderate price point. Just minutes from First Landing State Park and the Chesapeake Bay beaches, property values have risen from $207,621 in 2015 to $241,553 in 2020, before reaching $337,470 in 2024, showing a 62.5% appreciation.
#21. Camellia Shores (Norfolk, VA)
Camellia Shores, nestled along the Lafayette River in Norfolk about 3 miles from downtown, provides scenic waterfront living. Near the Virginia Zoo and featuring river views, property values have increased from $224,252 in 2015 to $248,969 in 2020, before reaching $341,138 in 2024, demonstrating a 52.1% appreciation while remaining one of the more affordable waterfront options in Norfolk.
#20. Harbordale (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Harbordale, positioned just west of the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale and minutes from Port Everglades, offers affordable access to South Florida coastal living. Located about a mile from the beach and near the Harbor Shops, property values have grown from $215,669 in 2015 to $245,829 in 2020, before reaching $342,621 in 2024, showing a 58.9% appreciation.
#19. Bay Colony Club (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Bay Colony Club, situated near the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale about 2 miles from the beach, provides waterfront area living at a moderate price point. Close to both the Galleria Mall and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, property values have increased from $188,649 in 2015 to $225,853 in 2020, before reaching $345,424 in 2024, marking an 83.1% appreciation.
#18. Snug Harbor (Pompano Beach, FL)
Snug Harbor, located along the canals of Pompano Beach just half a mile from the Intracoastal Waterway, offers affordable waterfront living. Near Pompano Community Park and providing easy access to the beach, property values have risen from $170,934 in 2015 to $231,597 in 2020, before reaching $350,837 in 2024, showing a strong 105.2% appreciation.
#17. River Forest Shores (Norfolk, VA)
River Forest Shores, positioned along the Lafayette River in Norfolk about 4 miles from downtown, provides scenic waterfront views at a moderate price point. Near Old Dominion University and featuring river access, property values have grown from $229,189 in 2015 to $261,206 in 2020, before reaching $354,090 in 2024, demonstrating a 54.5% appreciation.
#16. North Shore (Miami Beach, FL)
North Shore, situated at the northern end of Miami Beach with direct ocean access, represents one of the more affordable oceanfront communities in this prestigious area. Located near North Beach Oceanside Park and the North Beach Bandshell, property values have increased from $282,374 in 2015 to $286,173 in 2020, before reaching $374,560 in 2024, showing a modest 32.6% appreciation while maintaining relative affordability for Miami Beach.
#15. Rainberry Bay (Delray Beach, FL)
Rainberry Bay, located in Delray Beach about 2 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, offers access to coastal living at a moderate price point. Near the Delray Marketplace and providing easy access to both I-95 and beautiful beaches, property values have risen from $159,916 in 2015 to $221,648 in 2020, before reaching $376,569 in 2024, marking a substantial 135.5% appreciation.
#14. Northwood Harbor (West Palm Beach, FL)
Northwood Harbor, positioned along the Intracoastal Waterway in West Palm Beach, provides waterfront living with historic charm. Located in the resurging Northwood area about 2 miles from downtown, property values have grown from $163,359 in 2015 to $216,218 in 2020, before reaching $378,309 in 2024, showing a strong 131.6% appreciation.
#13. Avalon Harbor (Pompano Beach, FL)
Avalon Harbor, situated along the canal system in Pompano Beach just minutes from the ocean, offers waterfront living at a moderate price point. Near the Pompano Citi Centre and providing easy access to the beach, property values have increased from $202,430 in 2015 to $271,736 in 2020, before reaching $388,709 in 2024, demonstrating a solid 92.0% appreciation.
#12. Delray Shores (Delray Beach, FL)
Delray Shores, located along the canals of Delray Beach about a mile from the Atlantic Ocean, provides waterfront living opportunities. Near Atlantic Avenue’s vibrant downtown and offering easy beach access, property values have risen from $164,540 in 2015 to $250,860 in 2020, before reaching $402,219 in 2024, showing a remarkable 144.5% appreciation.
#11. Palm Beach Lakes (West Palm Beach, FL)
Palm Beach Lakes, positioned in West Palm Beach about 3 miles from the Intracoastal Waterway, offers affordable access to coastal living. Near the Palm Beach Outlets and just minutes from CityPlace, property values have grown from $157,822 in 2015 to $263,898 in 2020, before reaching $422,157 in 2024, marking an impressive 167.5% appreciation.
#10. Sunrise Intracoastal (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Sunrise Intracoastal, situated along the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale, provides direct waterfront access at a relatively moderate price point. Located near the Galleria Mall and just blocks from the beach.
ch, property values have increased from $298,813 in 2015 to $328,637 in 2020, before reaching $428,851 in 2024, showing a 43.5% appreciation while maintaining comparative affordability for waterfront property.
#9. North Ocean City (Ocean City, MD)
North Ocean City, positioned at the northern end of Ocean City with direct Atlantic Ocean access, offers more affordable oceanfront living opportunities. Located near the Delaware border and featuring both bay and ocean access, property values have risen from $240,446 in 2015 to $274,207 in 2020, before reaching $434,392 in 2024, demonstrating an 80.7% appreciation.
#8. Pelican Harbor (Delray Beach, FL)
Pelican Harbor, located along the canal system in Delray Beach about a mile from the ocean, provides waterfront living near vibrant Atlantic Avenue. Close to both the beach and downtown amenities, property values have grown from $279,519 in 2015 to $353,633 in 2020, before reaching $439,599 in 2024, showing a 57.3% appreciation.
#7. North Shore (West Palm Beach, FL)
North Shore, situated in the northern section of West Palm Beach near the Intracoastal Waterway, offers waterfront area living with historic charm. Located in the revitalized Northwood district about 2 miles from downtown, property values have increased dramatically from $148,772 in 2015 to $258,527 in 2020, before reaching $440,092 in 2024, marking an exceptional 195.8% appreciation.
#6. South Central Beach (Hollywood, FL)
South Central Beach, positioned directly on the Atlantic Ocean in Hollywood Beach, provides true oceanfront living at a relatively moderate price point. Located along the famous Hollywood Beach Broadwalk and near the Margaritaville Resort, property values have moved from $323,426 in 2015 to $322,341 in 2020, before reaching $449,234 in 2024, showing a 38.9% appreciation while maintaining comparative affordability for direct oceanfront property.
#5. Inner Harbor (Baltimore, MD)
Inner Harbor, located in the heart of downtown Baltimore along its historic harbor, offers urban waterfront living opportunities. Surrounded by attractions like the National Aquarium and Camden Yards, property values have shifted from $431,697 in 2015 to $420,486 in 2020, before reaching $460,298 in 2024, showing a modest 6.6% appreciation while providing access to this iconic waterfront location.
#4. Beach Suburb – Pompano Beach, FL
Beach, situated directly on the Atlantic Ocean in Pompano Beach, provides oceanfront living at a relatively accessible price point. Located near the Pompano Beach Pier and featuring direct beach access, property values have increased from $269,937 in 2015 to $327,234 in 2020, before reaching $474,559 in 2024, demonstrating a solid 75.8% appreciation.
#3. Coronado Beach (New Smyrna Beach, FL)
Coronado Beach, positioned on a barrier island in New Smyrna Beach about 15 miles south of Daytona Beach, offers direct ocean access. Located near Smyrna Dunes Park and featuring both ocean and river access, property values have risen substantially from $224,510 in 2015 to $309,521 in 2020, before reaching $476,463 in 2024, showing a strong 112.2% appreciation.
#2. Boardwalk/Inlet (Ocean City, MD)
Boardwalk/Inlet, located at the southern tip of Ocean City with views of both the Atlantic Ocean and inlet, provides iconic beach resort living. Positioned at the heart of Ocean City’s famous boardwalk and entertainment district, property values have grown from $259,032 in 2015 to $303,315 in 2020, before reaching $486,732 in 2024, marking an 87.9% appreciation.
#1. Northwood Shores (West Palm Beach, FL)
Northwood Shores, situated along the Intracoastal Waterway in West Palm Beach’s historic Northwood district, tops our list while still offering relatively attainable waterfront living. Located just 2 miles from downtown West Palm Beach and featuring direct water access, property values have surged from $190,642 in 2015 to $259,975 in 2020, before reaching $502,716 in 2024, demonstrating a remarkable 163.7% appreciation while remaining one of the more accessible waterfront communities in this desirable coastal market.
