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Top row: Anna Maria, FL; Carolina Beach, NC; Bandon, OR. Bottom row: Nags Head, NC; Morro Bay, CA; Orange Beach, AL. Photos: Roman Eugeniusz (CC BY-SA 3.0), Sergiy Galyonkin (CC BY-SA 4.0), Visitor7 (CC BY-SA 3.0), RJVIII (CC BY-SA 4.0), Kjkolb (CC BY 2.5), Josh Travis (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Plenty of people dream of retiring somewhere they can hear the waves. But which small beach towns are actually great places to live once the summer crowds go home? We scored every census tract in the United States on CoreLogic’s neighborhood indexes, which rate neighborhoods from 1 to 100 using data from the Census, the FBI and local police, the Department of Education, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and more.
We rolled the tract scores up to the city, town, village or borough they belong to and kept real municipalities with 1,000 to 15,000 residents that CoreLogic rates as coastal. That left 303 small seaside towns. Each town’s score blends six measures. Retirement friendliness counts most. It’s CoreLogic’s own mix of peace and quiet, low crime, educated seniors and a range of housing. Quiet streets, walkability, local shops and restaurants, light traffic and culture make up the rest. Towns scoring under 40 on quiet were left out, and we dropped harbor and river towns without a real beach.
To keep the list varied, no state gets more than three towns, except Florida, which gets five for its two long coastlines. The result is 50 beach towns in 20 states: the Gulf Coast, the Carolinas, New England, the Jersey Shore, Long Island, the Pacific Northwest, California and even Alaska.
Each town's chart shows its six scores in gold. The black tick marks the median for all 303 US beach towns we scored.
Here they are, counting down from 50 to the best small beach town in America for retirees in 2027.
50. Dauphin Island, Alabama
Photos: Rian Castillo (CC BY 2.0), Altairisfar (CC BY-SA 3.0), Oydman (CC BY-SA 3.0), James Willamor (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Dauphin Island is a barrier island town at the mouth of Mobile Bay on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. It was named for the heir to the French throne, and it’s home to Fort Gaines and a famous bird sanctuary.
Dauphin Island scores 92 for quiet and 76 for easy driving. Mobile is about 40 minutes away. It’s a quiet island retreat for retirees who love fishing, birds and beaches.
Overall score: 54.9 · Population: 1,923 · State: Alabama · Best score: Quiet 92
49. Pass Christian, Mississippi
Photos: Jennifer Smits (Public domain), Unknown (Public domain) · via Wikimedia Commons
Pass Christian, nicknamed “The Pass”, is on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast between Bay St. Louis and Gulfport. It’s lined with historic homes along Scenic Drive and has a long sand beach and a harbor.
Pass Christian scores 84 for easy driving and 71 for quiet. Gulfport’s hospitals and airport are close, and housing costs are low. It’s a gracious, quiet Gulf Coast town.
Overall score: 56.2 · Population: 6,429 · State: Mississippi · Best score: Easy driving 84
48. Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Photos: NatalieMaynor (CC BY 2.0), Infrogmation of New Orleans (CC BY 2.0), Frank Kovalchek (CC BY 2.0), Unknown (Public domain) · via Wikimedia Commons
Bay St. Louis is the Hancock County seat on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. French colonists settled here first, and its Old Town has galleries, restaurants and a historic train depot, with a long sandy beach along the bay.
Bay St. Louis scores 72 for retirement friendliness and 72 for quiet. Housing is affordable, and New Orleans is about an hour west. It’s an artsy Gulf town with real character.
Overall score: 59.0 · Population: 10,526 · State: Mississippi · Best score: Retirement 72
47. Homer, Alaska
Photos: runt35 (CC BY 3.0), Laura Alier (CC BY 4.0), Department of Defense. Department of the Army. Office of the (Public domain) · via Wikimedia Commons
Homer is on Kachemak Bay on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, about 218 miles southwest of Anchorage. Known as the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World”, it’s famous for the Homer Spit, a 4.5-mile gravel bar reaching into the bay, with mountains and glaciers across the water.
Homer scores 91 for retirement friendliness and 80 for quiet. Alaska has no state income tax and no statewide sales tax. For an adventurous retiree, it’s a breathtaking place to live.
Overall score: 61.1 · Population: 6,136 · State: Alaska · Best score: Retirement 91
46. Port Aransas, Texas
Photos: Larry D. Moore (CC BY 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Port Aransas is the only established town on Mustang Island, a barrier island on the Texas Gulf Coast. It’s known for fishing, birding and miles of Gulf beaches, and a ferry connects it to the mainland.
Port Aransas scores 88 for quiet, and Corpus Christi’s hospitals and airport are close by. Texas has no state income tax. It’s a relaxed island town for retirees who love the water.
Overall score: 64.6 · Population: 3,616 · State: Texas · Best score: Quiet 88
45. Bethany Beach, Delaware
Photos: Doug Olson (CC BY-SA 3.0), Patrick Nouhailler's… (CC BY-SA 3.0), unattributed (Public domain) · via Wikimedia Commons
Bethany Beach is one of Delaware’s “Quiet Resorts”, with a short boardwalk, a broad sandy beach and Delaware Seashore State Park just to the north. Its summer population swells by about 15,000.
Bethany Beach scores 91 for quiet and 87 for culture. Off-season, it’s a small, peaceful town of about 1,000 people. Delaware’s low taxes and no sales tax are a bonus.
Overall score: 64.8 · Population: 1,083 · State: Delaware · Best score: Quiet 91
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44. Orange Beach, Alabama
Photos: Josh Travis (CC BY-SA 3.0), Photo by A. E. Crane (Public domain), Chris Watson (CC BY 2.0), Infrogmation of New Orleans (CC BY 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Orange Beach is on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, next to Gulf Shores and the Florida line. It’s known for white sand beaches, Perdido Pass, fishing charters and The Wharf entertainment district.
Orange Beach scores 83 for retirement friendliness and 87 for quiet. Alabama’s low property taxes and the Gulf’s warm water make it popular with retirees. It’s a lively beach town with something for everyone.
Overall score: 64.8 · Population: 8,599 · State: Alabama · Best score: Quiet 87
43. Fulton, Texas
Photos: Andy (CC BY-SA 2.0), Larry D. Moore (CC BY 4.0), Randy C. Bunney, Great Circle PhotoGraphics (CC BY-SA 3.0), BrianGrunberger (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Fulton is a coastal fishing town on Aransas Bay in South Texas, founded in 1866 by George Ware Fulton. The Fulton Mansion, a historic 1870s home, overlooks the bay, and the town’s harbor is full of fishing boats.
Fulton scores 96 for retirement friendliness and 95 for quiet. Rockport is next door, and Texas has no state income tax. It’s a laid-back Gulf Coast town for anglers and birdwatchers.
Overall score: 66.1 · Population: 1,612 · State: Texas · Best score: Retirement 96
42. Gearhart, Oregon
Photos: M.O. Stevens (CC BY-SA 3.0), Meronim (CC BY-SA 3.0), ryan harvey (CC BY-SA 2.0), Carole Wells (Public domain) · via Wikimedia Commons
Gearhart is a small town on the north Oregon coast, named for settler Phillip Gearhart. It has long been a quiet summer escape, with wide sandy beaches, a historic golf links and shingled cottages.
Gearhart scores 92 for retirement friendliness, and Seaside and Astoria are close for shopping and hospitals. It’s a quieter alternative to busier Oregon beach towns.
Overall score: 66.7 · Population: 1,872 · State: Oregon · Best score: Retirement 92
41. Depoe Bay, Oregon
Photos: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives (CC BY 4.0), Visitor7 (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Depoe Bay sits on Oregon’s central coast along U.S. Route 101, and its tiny harbor is billed as the world’s smallest navigable harbor. It’s known as a whale-watching capital, with gray whales living offshore much of the year.
Depoe Bay scores 98 for retirement friendliness and 97 for quiet. Newport and Lincoln City are both close by. For retirees who want ocean views, whale sightings and peace, it’s a dream.
Overall score: 67.8 · Population: 1,526 · State: Oregon · Best score: Retirement 98
40. Morro Bay, California
Photos: Kjkolb (CC BY 2.5), ALAN SCHMIERER (CC0), Mikebaird (CC BY 2.0), Nweil (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Morro Bay is a seaside city on California’s Central Coast, named for the volcanic Morro Rock that rises from its harbor. Its working waterfront, state park and estuary make it a haven for kayakers and birdwatchers.
Morro Bay scores 92 for retirement friendliness, and San Luis Obispo’s shops and hospitals are about 15 minutes away. It’s one of the more affordable small towns on the California coast, with mild weather all year.
Overall score: 68.1 · Population: 10,591 · State: California · Best score: Retirement 92
39. Bandon, Oregon
Photos: Visitor7 (CC BY-SA 3.0), Joe Mabel (CC BY-SA 4.0), Tori Sloane (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Bandon sits on the southern Oregon coast at the mouth of the Coquille River. It was named by an Irish settler after Bandon in County Cork, and its beaches are known for dramatic sea stacks like Face Rock. Its Old Town has shops and seafood spots by the harbor.
Bandon scores 94 for retirement friendliness and 90 for quiet. World-famous golf at Bandon Dunes, beachcombing and storm watching fill the days. It’s one of the most beautiful towns on the Oregon coast.
Overall score: 69.1 · Population: 3,311 · State: Oregon · Best score: Retirement 94
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38. Carolina Beach, North Carolina
Photos: Sergiy Galyonkin (CC BY-SA 4.0), DiscoA340 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Carolina Beach sits on Pleasure Island, south of Wilmington, North Carolina. Its boardwalk hosts live beach music on Friday nights in summer, and Carolina Beach State Park and Freeman Park are close by.
Carolina Beach scores 77 for retirement friendliness and 56 for vibrancy, with restaurants and shops along the boardwalk. Wilmington’s airport and hospitals are about 12 miles away. It’s a fun, affordable beach town.
Overall score: 69.7 · Population: 6,864 · State: North Carolina · Best score: Quiet 79
37. Ocean View, Delaware
Photos: Smallbones (CC0), Famartin (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Ocean View is a small Delaware town about a mile inland from the Atlantic Ocean, next to Bethany Beach. It’s become a year-round home for people who want to be close to the beach without living in a summer resort.
Ocean View scores 94 for retirement friendliness and 92 for quiet. Delaware’s low taxes and no sales tax help, and the beaches of Bethany are a few minutes away. It’s a practical, peaceful beach-area town.
Overall score: 69.9 · Population: 3,023 · State: Delaware · Best score: Retirement 94
36. Nags Head, North Carolina
Photos: RJVIII (CC BY-SA 4.0), David Broad (CC BY 3.0), Roger Mulligan (CC BY 2.0), Art Anderson (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Nags Head is on North Carolina’s Outer Banks and has been a resort since the 1830s. It’s home to Jockey’s Ridge, the tallest natural sand dune system on the East Coast, and miles of Atlantic beach.
Nags Head scores 96 for quiet and 88 for retirement friendliness. Fishing piers, beaches and the Wright Brothers memorial in neighboring Kill Devil Hills make for plenty to do. It’s classic Outer Banks living.
Overall score: 70.0 · Population: 3,106 · State: North Carolina · Best score: Quiet 96
35. Palos Verdes Estates, California
Photos: Homeispv (CC BY-SA 4.0), The original uploader was Cardinalngold at English Wikipedia (Public domain), Duncan Blount (CC BY-SA 4.0), Beta CRE (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Palos Verdes Estates sits on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County. It was master-planned by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., and its oceanfront cliffs, coves and hiking trails make it one of the most beautiful stretches of the Southern California coast.
Palos Verdes Estates scores 96 for culture and 89 for retirement friendliness. It’s among the wealthiest cities in the country, so it’s expensive, but you get Pacific views and Los Angeles’s hospitals and culture nearby.
Overall score: 70.2 · Population: 12,668 · State: California · Best score: Cultured 96
34. Cape Charles, Virginia
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Photos: Bruce Emmerling (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wmtribe2015 (CC0), David Broad (CC BY 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Cape Charles was founded in 1884 as a railroad and ferry town on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Its historic district and public beach on the bay give it an old-fashioned, small-town feel.
Cape Charles scores 99 for retirement friendliness and 90 for quiet. Bay sunsets, golf and fishing fill the days, and Norfolk and Virginia Beach are across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. It’s an affordable, quiet bayside town.
Overall score: 70.7 · Population: 1,288 · State: Virginia · Best score: Retirement 99
33. Langley, Washington
Photos: Joe Mabel (CC BY-SA 3.0), Frank Schulenburg (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Langley sits at the south end of Whidbey Island, overlooking Saratoga Passage. It was founded in the 1890s and is known for its galleries, shops and whale watching from the bluff, with gray whales passing each spring.
Langley scores 98 for retirement friendliness and 90 for quiet. A ferry connects the island to the mainland near Seattle. It’s an artsy island village for retirees who love water views and a slower pace.
Overall score: 72.0 · Population: 1,139 · State: Washington · Best score: Retirement 98
32. Southport, North Carolina
Photos: Gerry Dincher (CC BY-SA 2.0), Upstateherd (CC BY-SA 4.0), DiscoA340 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Southport sits near the mouth of the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. Its harbor, live oaks and historic homes have made it a favorite film location, and its North Carolina Fourth of July Festival draws tens of thousands of visitors.
Southport scores 94 for retirement friendliness and 93 for quiet. The beaches of Oak Island and a ferry to Fort Fisher are close by, and Wilmington is about 45 minutes away. It’s a picture-perfect Southern harbor town.
Overall score: 72.6 · Population: 4,341 · State: North Carolina · Best score: Retirement 94
31. Westhampton Beach, New York
Photos: CaptJayRuffins (CC BY-SA 4.0), Dmadeo (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Westhampton Beach is a village in the Hamptons on Long Island’s South Shore. Its barrier beach was devastated by the 1938 hurricane, and today its ocean beaches, Main Street shops and performing arts center make it a lively Hamptons village.
Westhampton Beach scores 93 for retirement friendliness and 86 for culture. It’s the westernmost of the Hamptons villages, making it the easiest to reach from New York City. Ocean beaches and a real Main Street come standard.
Overall score: 72.8 · Population: 2,238 · State: New York · Best score: Retirement 93
30. New Shoreham, Rhode Island
Photos: Doodybutch (CC BY-SA 4.0), Billy Hathorn (CC BY-SA 3.0), Pvmoutside (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
New Shoreham is the town that covers Block Island, about 9 miles off the Rhode Island coast. About 40 percent of the island is protected from development, and its beaches, bluffs and two historic lighthouses make it a summer favorite.
New Shoreham scores a perfect 100 for retirement friendliness and 91 for quiet. Island life means ferries to the mainland, but the reward is open space and ocean views in every direction. It’s a fit for retirees who truly want to get away.
Overall score: 73.0 · Population: 1,413 · State: Rhode Island · Best score: Retirement 100
29. Port Townsend, Washington
Photos: Hans-Jürgen Hübner (CC BY-SA 3.0), Adbar (CC BY-SA 3.0), JOHN LLOYD (CC BY 2.0), Joe Mabel (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Port Townsend sits at the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula. Its downtown of Victorian buildings is a National Historic Landmark District, and it’s known as a center for wooden boatbuilding and maritime crafts. It’s also unusually dry, sitting in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains.
Port Townsend scores 97 for retirement friendliness and 87 for quiet. Fort Worden State Park, beaches and festivals fill the year, and ferries connect it to Whidbey Island. It’s one of the most charming seaside towns in the Pacific Northwest.
Overall score: 73.1 · Population: 10,649 · State: Washington · Best score: Retirement 97
28. Rock Hall, Maryland
Photos: olekinderhook (CC BY 3.0), Captain Bluecrab (CC BY-SA 3.0), JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. (CC BY-SA 4.0), Unknown author (Public domain) · via Wikimedia Commons
Rock Hall is a waterfront town on the upper Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, established in 1707. It’s a fishing, sailing and boating town on the Chesapeake Scenic Byway, with marinas, crab houses and a small beach.
Rock Hall scores 99 for retirement friendliness and 95 for quiet. Annapolis and Baltimore are reachable across the Bay Bridge. For retirees who love boating and Chesapeake seafood, it’s a hidden treasure.
Overall score: 73.1 · Population: 1,200 · State: Maryland · Best score: Retirement 99
27. Isle of Palms, South Carolina
Photos: https://exclusivepropertiesus.com/ (CC BY-SA 4.0), Dima Sergiyenko; Please attribute this image as the work of (CC BY-SA 4.0), Linda Livvorn (CC BY-SA 4.0), Rotograph Co. (Public domain) · via Wikimedia Commons
Isle of Palms is a barrier island about 15 miles east of downtown Charleston, along the Atlantic Ocean. Its long beach, marina and quiet residential streets make it one of the Lowcountry’s most popular coastal towns.
Isle of Palms scores 93 for retirement friendliness, 90 for quiet and 95 for culture. Charleston is close for dining, history and medical care. It’s an easy place to love for retirees who want beach life near a great city.
Overall score: 73.3 · Population: 4,377 · State: South Carolina · Best score: Cultured 95
26. Tybee Island, Georgia
Photos: Rick Shu (CC BY-SA 3.0), XeresNelro (CC BY-SA 4.0), Michael Sennello (Public domain), Bubba73 (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Tybee Island is Georgia’s easternmost point, a barrier island 18 miles east of Savannah. The Tybee Island Light Station has guided ships since colonial times, and the island has long been a beach getaway for Savannah families.
Tybee Island scores 92 for retirement friendliness and 91 for quiet. Savannah’s restaurants, history and hospitals are about half an hour away. It’s laid-back beach living with one of the South’s most beautiful cities nearby.
Overall score: 73.5 · Population: 3,139 · State: Georgia · Best score: Retirement 92
25. Ilwaco, Washington
Photos: Drown Soda (CC BY-SA 4.0), Sam Beebe/Ecotrust (CC BY-SA 3.0), Ian Poellet (CC BY-SA 3.0), User:Fcb981 (CC BY 2.5) · via Wikimedia Commons
Ilwaco sits on the Long Beach Peninsula where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. It began as a logging and fishing town, and it’s named for Elwahko Jim, a Lower Chinook leader. Cape Disappointment State Park, with its two lighthouses, is next door.
Ilwaco scores 98 for retirement friendliness and 89 for quiet. The miles of Pacific beach along the Long Beach Peninsula are minutes away, and Astoria is just across the river. It’s an affordable, peaceful spot on the Pacific.
Overall score: 74.0 · Population: 1,112 · State: Washington · Best score: Retirement 98
24. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Photos: Ted Eytan (CC BY-SA 2.0), APK (CC BY-SA 4.0), Melissa Fague / PI Photography and Fine Art (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Rehoboth Beach is a classic Atlantic resort town on the Delaware coast, with a mile-long boardwalk, a bandstand and a famously walkable downtown. In summer, its population swells past 25,000, and its beaches have earned top marks for water quality.
After Labor Day, the year-round town of about 1,300 gets its peace back, which helps explain the 91 for quiet and 91 for retirement friendliness. Delaware has no sales tax and low property taxes, so Rehoboth offers beach-town living at a better price than many coastal spots further north.
Overall score: 74.1 · Population: 1,257 · State: Delaware · Best score: Retirement 91
23. Little Compton, Rhode Island
Photos: Beyond My Ken (CC BY-SA 4.0), Dougtone (CC BY-SA 2.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Little Compton is a coastal town in Rhode Island, bounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Sakonnet River. Its old town common, stone walls, farms and beaches make it one of the most unspoiled places on the New England coast.
Little Compton scores 99 for retirement friendliness and 91 for quiet. Newport is about half an hour away. If you want a rural New England coast without the crowds, it’s hard to do better.
Overall score: 74.4 · Population: 3,553 · State: Rhode Island · Best score: Retirement 99
22. North Hampton, New Hampshire
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North Hampton is a small New Hampshire town on the Atlantic coast. Its Little Boar’s Head became a fashionable summer resort in the 19th century, and elegant Victorian and Edwardian homes still line the shore road near North Hampton State Beach.
North Hampton scores 94 for retirement friendliness, 88 for quiet and 92 for culture. Portsmouth is about 15 minutes away, and New Hampshire has no income or sales tax. It’s a peaceful, elegant stretch of coast.
Overall score: 74.9 · Population: 4,539 · State: New Hampshire · Best score: Retirement 94
21. Orleans, Massachusetts
Photos: Alex Starr (CC BY-SA 2.0), Connor Williams (CC BY 2.0), T.S. Custadio aka ToddC4176 at en.wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Orleans is a Cape Cod town settled in 1693 by Pilgrims from Plymouth Colony and named for the Duke of Orléans in thanks for France’s help in the Revolution. It’s home to Nauset Beach on the Atlantic and the quieter Skaket Beach on Cape Cod Bay.
Orleans scores 98 for retirement friendliness and 85 for quiet. It’s a shopping and dining hub for the Lower Cape, with ocean and bay beaches just minutes apart. It’s classic Cape Cod living.
Overall score: 75.0 · Population: 6,485 · State: Massachusetts · Best score: Retirement 98
20. Folly Beach, South Carolina
Photos: Brian Stansberry (CC BY 4.0), ProfReader (CC BY-SA 4.0), Tichnor Brothers, Boston (Public domain) · via Wikimedia Commons
Folly Beach is 11 miles south of downtown Charleston, on Folly Island. Locals call it “the Edge of America”, and it’s known for surf spots like the Washout, a long fishing pier and a laid-back vibe.
Folly Beach scores 93 for retirement friendliness and 93 for quiet. Charleston’s restaurants, history and hospitals are a short drive away. For retirees who want a relaxed beach town with a great city next door, Folly is a favorite.
Overall score: 75.2 · Population: 2,084 · State: South Carolina · Best score: Quiet 93
19. Port Jefferson, New York
Photos: Infrastorian (CC0), Photograph by Mike Peel (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Port Jefferson is a historic shipbuilding village on Long Island’s North Shore. Today its harbor is the terminus of the ferry to Bridgeport, Connecticut, and its downtown is packed with restaurants, shops and a theater. Village beaches line the harbor.
Port Jefferson scores 94 for retirement friendliness and 92 for culture. A hospital and the Long Island Rail Road are right in town. It’s a lively harbor village with New York City within reach.
Overall score: 75.9 · Population: 8,189 · State: New York · Best score: Retirement 94
18. Rye, New Hampshire
Photos: Spongetastic69 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Unknown (CC BY-SA 4.0), Ken Gallager at English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0), Through Ro's Colored Glasses (CC BY 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Rye is on New Hampshire’s short Atlantic coastline, and the state’s first settlement was founded at its Odiorne Point in 1623. Before 1726 the town was called “Sandy Beach”, and today its shoreline holds several state parks and beaches.
Rye scores 99 for retirement friendliness and 89 for quiet. Portsmouth’s restaurants and hospital are minutes away, and New Hampshire has no income or sales tax. It’s a beautiful, peaceful coast with a historic small city next door.
Overall score: 76.0 · Population: 5,663 · State: New Hampshire · Best score: Retirement 99
17. Rockland, Maine
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Rockland is the Knox County seat on Penobscot Bay. It’s the departure point for ferries to Vinalhaven and North Haven, home to the Farnsworth Art Museum, and famous for its long granite breakwater and lighthouse and its summer Lobster Festival.
Rockland scores 95 for retirement friendliness and 61 for vibrancy, lively for coastal Maine. Galleries, restaurants and a working waterfront fill its downtown. It’s a great pick for retirees who want a real town with the ocean at its doorstep.
Overall score: 76.2 · Population: 7,060 · State: Maine · Best score: Retirement 95
16. Belfast, Maine
Photos: P. Hughes (CC BY-SA 4.0), Haydn Blackey (CC BY-SA 2.0), Unknown (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Belfast is a historic harbor city on Penobscot Bay in Maine and the Waldo County seat. It was settled in 1770 by Scots-Irish families, and its brick downtown, waterfront rail trail and harbor walk reflect its shipbuilding past.
Belfast scores a perfect 100 for retirement friendliness and 90 for quiet. It has a hospital, an arts scene and some of the most affordable coastal housing in New England. Bar Harbor and Camden are close for day trips.
Overall score: 76.4 · Population: 6,993 · State: Maine · Best score: Retirement 100
15. Atlantic Beach, New York
Photos: Agiorgio (CC BY-SA 3.0), Jim.henderson (Public domain), formulanone (CC BY-SA 2.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Atlantic Beach sits on the west end of Long Island’s Long Beach barrier island, right next to New York City. It’s home to the Lawrence Beach Club, the oldest beach club in the country, and residents get season passes to its wide Atlantic beaches.
Atlantic Beach scores 82 for walkability and 99 for culture, with Manhattan less than an hour away. Summers are busy, and the rest of the year is calm. For a retiree who wants the ocean and New York City, it’s hard to beat.
Overall score: 76.5 · Population: 1,713 · State: New York · Best score: Cultured 99
14. Ogunquit, Maine
Photos: Fred Hsu (CC BY-SA 3.0), EgorovaSvetlana (CC BY-SA 4.0), Captain-tucker (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Ogunquit is a Maine resort town whose name is often translated as “beautiful place by the sea”. Its three-mile sandy beach is one of the best in New England, the Marginal Way cliff walk follows the rocky shore, and Perkins Cove is a working fishing harbor with a footbridge.
Ogunquit scores 97 for retirement friendliness, 96 for quiet and 93 for culture, thanks in part to the Ogunquit Playhouse and its arts history. Portland is about 45 minutes north. It’s a beautiful seaside town that empties out after the summer crowds.
Overall score: 76.7 · Population: 1,601 · State: Maine · Best score: Retirement 97
13. Rockport, Massachusetts
Photos: Theo Dillon (CC BY-SA 4.0), Adavyd (CC BY-SA 3.0), John Phelan (CC BY 3.0), EgorovaSvetlana (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Rockport is a seaside town on the tip of Cape Ann, about 40 miles northeast of Boston. Its granite quarries once shipped stone across the country. Today its harbor, Bearskin Neck’s shops and its galleries make it one of New England’s most painted and photographed towns.
Rockport scores a perfect 100 for retirement friendliness and 78 for quiet. The commuter rail runs to Boston, and the town has a strong arts community. If you dream of ocean views, lobster shacks and a lively art scene, Rockport fits beautifully.
Overall score: 77.5 · Population: 7,091 · State: Massachusetts · Best score: Retirement 100
12. Sullivan's Island, South Carolina
Photos: Warren LeMay (CC0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Sullivan’s Island sits at the mouth of Charleston Harbor. Fort Moultrie on the island marks where South Carolinians repelled a British fleet in 1776, and the island was also a major point of entry for enslaved Africans. Today it’s a residential island of about 1,900 people, with raised beach houses and palmettos.
Sullivan’s Island scores 98 for culture, 96 for retirement friendliness and 83 for quiet. Charleston’s restaurants, history and hospitals are about 20 minutes away. It’s pricey, but for beach living with one of America’s best cities next door, it’s hard to beat.
Overall score: 77.7 · Population: 1,948 · State: South Carolina · Best score: Cultured 98
11. Jamestown, Rhode Island
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Jamestown covers nearly all of Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay, connected to Newport and the mainland by bridges. Beavertail State Park, with its lighthouse on the island’s rocky southern tip, is one of the best ocean viewpoints in New England.
Jamestown scores 99 for retirement friendliness and 91 for quiet, with Newport’s restaurants, culture and hospital just across the bridge. Island life with easy access to everything is the draw. For retirees who love the sea and sailing, it’s ideal.
Overall score: 77.7 · Population: 5,494 · State: Rhode Island · Best score: Retirement 99
10. Anna Maria, Florida
Photos: Roman Eugeniusz (CC BY-SA 3.0), User:VitaleBaby (Public domain), Paul R. Burley (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Anna Maria occupies the northern tip of Anna Maria Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Tampa’s mayor named the island for his wife and sister-in-law, and the town still has an old-Florida feel, with its Rod & Reel Pier, City Pier and no high-rise hotels.
Anna Maria scores 99 for retirement friendliness and 93 for quiet. A free trolley runs the length of the island, and Bradenton and Sarasota are close by. It’s one of the most charming small beach towns in Florida.
Overall score: 79.4 · Population: 1,016 · State: Florida · Best score: Retirement 99
9. Indian Shores, Florida
Photos: Vaclav Zrno (CC BY 3.0), Grendelkhan (CC BY-SA 4.0), Philipp Michel Reichold (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Indian Shores is a small beachfront town on a barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast, between Indian Rocks Beach and Redington Shores. Nearly two-thirds of its area is water, and its sandy Gulf beaches are some of the quietest in Pinellas County.
Indian Shores scores 93 for retirement friendliness and 86 for vibrancy, with restaurants and beach bars all along Gulf Boulevard. Tampa and St. Petersburg are close for hospitals and the airport. It’s easygoing beach living with Gulf sunsets every night.
Overall score: 79.5 · Population: 1,190 · State: Florida · Best score: Retirement 93
8. Nahant, Massachusetts
Photos: Pilgrimsong Studios (CC BY-SA 3.0), Pi.1415926535 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Ieateggseverymorning (CC BY-SA 3.0), JPizzle1122 at English Wikipedia (Public domain) · via Wikimedia Commons
Nahant is a tiny peninsula town north of Boston, connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. With just one square mile of land, it’s the smallest town in Massachusetts by area. Beaches line the causeway, and rocky coves and gazebos dot the shoreline.
Nahant scores 96 for retirement friendliness, 96 for culture and 81 for walkability. Boston’s hospitals and cultural life are about half an hour away. For retirees who want ocean on every side and a close-knit community, Nahant is one of a kind.
Overall score: 80.0 · Population: 3,338 · State: Massachusetts · Best score: Retirement 96
7. Island Heights, New Jersey
Photos: Mr. Matté (CC BY-SA 4.0), Famartin (CC BY-SA 4.0), Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Island Heights sits on a bluff rising 60 feet above the Toms River, near Barnegat Bay on the Jersey Shore. It began as a 19th-century Methodist camp meeting resort, and its streets are lined with Victorian cottages and porches. It is still a dry town.
Island Heights scores 77 for walkability and 96 for culture, with a riverfront boardwalk, a yacht club and the ocean beaches of Seaside Park a short drive across the bay. It’s a peaceful, historic shore town that most people have never heard of.
Overall score: 80.1 · Population: 1,715 · State: New Jersey · Best score: Cultured 96
6. Palm Beach, Florida
Photos: Asdaiang14453 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Unknown author (Public domain), Miscellaneous Items in High Demand, PPOC, Library of Congres (Public domain) · via Wikimedia Commons
Palm Beach sits on a barrier island across the Intracoastal Waterway from West Palm Beach. Henry Flagler turned it into a winter resort for the wealthy in the 1890s with the Royal Poinciana Hotel and The Breakers, and its Worth Avenue shops and oceanfront estates are still famous.
Palm Beach scores 97 for retirement friendliness, 82 for quiet and 98 for culture. It’s the priciest address on this list by a wide margin, but you get beaches, a world-class arts scene and Florida’s lack of a state income tax.
Overall score: 80.3 · Population: 9,493 · State: Florida · Best score: Cultured 98
5. Highlands, New Jersey
Photos: Famartin (CC BY-SA 4.0), Ted Kerwin (CC BY 2.0), Steve Shook (CC BY 2.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Highlands is a historic waterfront town on Sandy Hook Bay in New Jersey. The eastern part of town sits on a high bluff crowned by the Navesink Twin Lights, with views of Sandy Hook and the Atlantic. Its marinas and seafood restaurants line the water.
Highlands scores 85 for walkability, 70 for vibrancy and 93 for culture. Ferries from the Highlands area run to Manhattan, so big-city outings are easy. For retirees who want beaches, boating and restaurants, Highlands is a great fit.
Overall score: 80.4 · Population: 4,337 · State: New Jersey · Best score: Cultured 93
4. Belleair, Florida
Photos: Mikereichold (CC BY-SA 3.0), Ebyabe (CC BY 2.5), Philipp Michel Reichold (CC BY-SA 3.0), Unknown author (Public domain) · via Wikimedia Commons
Belleair began in 1896 as a resort town built around the Belleview Hotel by railroad tycoon Henry B. Plant. It sits on the bluffs above Clearwater Harbor on Florida’s Gulf Coast, and its historic town hall and golf courses still reflect that resort heritage.
Belleair scores 95 for retirement friendliness and 79 for quiet. The Gulf beaches are minutes away, Tampa’s airport is close, and Florida has no state income tax. It’s one of the most refined small towns on the Gulf Coast.
Overall score: 80.8 · Population: 4,614 · State: Florida · Best score: Retirement 95
3. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Photos: Toi & Moi (CC BY-SA 2.0), Guy Rose (Public domain) · via Wikimedia Commons
Carmel-by-the-Sea sits on California’s Monterey Peninsula. It grew from the Carmel Mission, founded in 1771, into an art colony and seaside resort, and it’s known for storybook cottages, galleries and a white-sand beach framed by cypress trees.
Carmel scores 99 for retirement friendliness, 79 for walkability and 97 for culture. Everything is within a short stroll in its walkable village center. It’s one of the most expensive towns on this list, but there are few places in America this beautiful.
Overall score: 81.9 · Population: 3,124 · State: California · Best score: Retirement 99
2. Spring Lake, New Jersey
Photos: Rmccoid (Public domain), Mr. Matté (CC BY-SA 4.0), hill10003 (CC BY-SA 3.0), Steve Shook (CC BY 2.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Spring Lake is a Jersey Shore borough named for a spring-fed lake in the middle of town. During the Gilded Age it became a coastal resort for wealthy families, and its grand Victorian homes, two-mile non-commercial boardwalk and the dome of St. Catharine’s Church reflect that heritage.
Spring Lake scores 89 for quiet and a perfect 100 for culture. Its footbridges, lakeside paths and wide, uncrowded beach make daily walks a pleasure. Manhattan is reachable by train. It’s one of the most graceful seaside towns on the East Coast.
Overall score: 82.0 · Population: 2,781 · State: New Jersey · Best score: Cultured 100
1. Redington Shores, Florida
Photos: Gregory Urbano (CC BY 2.0), Philipp Michel Reichold (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons
Redington Shores is a small beach town on Florida’s Gulf Coast, between St. Petersburg and Clearwater. Two-thirds of its area is water, and the town is known for its long fishing pier, sea oats, mangroves and nesting loggerhead turtles.
Redington Shores scores 95 for retirement friendliness, 81 for vibrancy and 90 for culture. Tampa Bay’s restaurants, hospitals and airport are close by, and Florida has no state income tax. Gulf sunsets every evening seal the deal.
Overall score: 82.6 · Population: 2,167 · State: Florida · Best score: Retirement 95
The Full Ranking
Scores run from 1 to 100, and higher is better on every measure.
| Rank | Town | State | Pop. | Score | Retirement | Quiet | Walkable | Vibrant | Easy driving | Cultured |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redington Shores | FL | 2,167 | 82.6 | 95 | 72 | 69 | 81 | 69 | 90 |
| 2 | Spring Lake | NJ | 2,781 | 82.0 | 94 | 89 | 72 | 63 | 59 | 100 |
| 3 | Carmel-by-the-Sea | CA | 3,124 | 81.9 | 99 | 71 | 79 | 67 | 49 | 97 |
| 4 | Belleair | FL | 4,614 | 80.8 | 95 | 79 | 55 | 65 | 84 | 92 |
| 5 | Highlands | NJ | 4,337 | 80.4 | 91 | 62 | 85 | 70 | 67 | 93 |
| 6 | Palm Beach | FL | 9,493 | 80.3 | 97 | 82 | 65 | 67 | 47 | 98 |
| 7 | Island Heights | NJ | 1,715 | 80.1 | 88 | 76 | 77 | 59 | 80 | 96 |
| 8 | Nahant | MA | 3,338 | 80.0 | 96 | 64 | 81 | 53 | 71 | 96 |
| 9 | Indian Shores | FL | 1,190 | 79.5 | 93 | 59 | 62 | 86 | 68 | 87 |
| 10 | Anna Maria | FL | 1,016 | 79.4 | 99 | 93 | 42 | 62 | 59 | 88 |
| 11 | Jamestown | RI | 5,494 | 77.7 | 99 | 91 | 50 | 24 | 82 | 97 |
| 12 | Sullivan's Island | SC | 1,948 | 77.7 | 96 | 83 | 55 | 37 | 80 | 98 |
| 13 | Rockport | MA | 7,091 | 77.5 | 100 | 78 | 62 | 34 | 72 | 88 |
| 14 | Ogunquit | ME | 1,601 | 76.7 | 97 | 96 | 46 | 37 | 62 | 93 |
| 15 | Atlantic Beach | NY | 1,713 | 76.5 | 84 | 65 | 82 | 65 | 60 | 99 |
| 16 | Belfast | ME | 6,993 | 76.4 | 100 | 90 | 45 | 37 | 78 | 59 |
| 17 | Rockland | ME | 7,060 | 76.2 | 95 | 75 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 49 |
| 18 | Rye | NH | 5,663 | 76.0 | 99 | 89 | 45 | 25 | 77 | 94 |
| 19 | Port Jefferson | NY | 8,189 | 75.9 | 94 | 50 | 64 | 59 | 76 | 92 |
| 20 | Folly Beach | SC | 2,084 | 75.2 | 93 | 93 | 33 | 51 | 79 | 76 |
| 21 | Orleans | MA | 6,485 | 75.0 | 98 | 85 | 44 | 36 | 70 | 83 |
| 22 | North Hampton | NH | 4,539 | 74.9 | 94 | 88 | 44 | 39 | 71 | 92 |
| 23 | Little Compton | RI | 3,553 | 74.4 | 99 | 91 | 41 | 16 | 76 | 94 |
| 24 | Rehoboth Beach | DE | 1,257 | 74.1 | 91 | 91 | 30 | 54 | 69 | 88 |
| 25 | Ilwaco | WA | 1,112 | 74.0 | 98 | 89 | 46 | 29 | 75 | 51 |
| 26 | Tybee Island | GA | 3,139 | 73.5 | 92 | 91 | 39 | 40 | 71 | 86 |
| 27 | Isle of Palms | SC | 4,377 | 73.3 | 93 | 90 | 28 | 48 | 64 | 95 |
| 28 | Rock Hall | MD | 1,200 | 73.1 | 99 | 95 | 30 | 26 | 76 | 64 |
| 29 | Port Townsend | WA | 10,649 | 73.1 | 97 | 87 | 41 | 34 | 66 | 65 |
| 30 | New Shoreham | RI | 1,413 | 73.0 | 100 | 91 | 39 | 24 | 66 | 70 |
| 31 | Westhampton Beach | NY | 2,238 | 72.8 | 93 | 67 | 44 | 52 | 68 | 86 |
| 32 | Southport | NC | 4,341 | 72.6 | 94 | 93 | 36 | 40 | 64 | 62 |
| 33 | Langley | WA | 1,139 | 72.0 | 98 | 90 | 32 | 30 | 57 | 82 |
| 34 | Cape Charles | VA | 1,288 | 70.7 | 99 | 90 | 33 | 18 | 76 | 45 |
| 35 | Palos Verdes Estates | CA | 12,668 | 70.2 | 89 | 65 | 47 | 38 | 73 | 96 |
| 36 | Nags Head | NC | 3,106 | 70.0 | 88 | 96 | 17 | 39 | 80 | 77 |
| 37 | Ocean View | DE | 3,023 | 69.9 | 94 | 92 | 26 | 24 | 69 | 79 |
| 38 | Carolina Beach | NC | 6,864 | 69.7 | 77 | 79 | 49 | 56 | 76 | 76 |
| 39 | Bandon | OR | 3,311 | 69.1 | 94 | 90 | 28 | 31 | 78 | 28 |
| 40 | Morro Bay | CA | 10,591 | 68.1 | 92 | 55 | 39 | 47 | 71 | 58 |
| 41 | Depoe Bay | OR | 1,526 | 67.8 | 98 | 97 | 11 | 25 | 68 | 41 |
| 42 | Gearhart | OR | 1,872 | 66.7 | 92 | 66 | 40 | 21 | 75 | 70 |
| 43 | Fulton | TX | 1,612 | 66.1 | 96 | 95 | 6 | 31 | 58 | 38 |
| 44 | Orange Beach | AL | 8,599 | 64.8 | 83 | 87 | 13 | 41 | 74 | 59 |
| 45 | Bethany Beach | DE | 1,083 | 64.8 | 76 | 91 | 17 | 55 | 54 | 87 |
| 46 | Port Aransas | TX | 3,616 | 64.6 | 78 | 88 | 24 | 47 | 72 | 54 |
| 47 | Homer | AK | 6,136 | 61.1 | 91 | 80 | 6 | 16 | 67 | 53 |
| 48 | Bay St. Louis | MS | 10,526 | 59.0 | 72 | 72 | 28 | 38 | 71 | 47 |
| 49 | Pass Christian | MS | 6,429 | 56.2 | 69 | 71 | 22 | 26 | 84 | 47 |
| 50 | Dauphin Island | AL | 1,923 | 54.9 | 65 | 92 | 3 | 30 | 76 | 46 |
Data: CoreLogic neighborhood indexes (March 2025); population from U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates. Photos via Wikimedia Commons under the licenses listed with each town.
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