The UK’s Cheapest Seaside Towns in 2026, Revealed by Data

New data reveals where you can purchase a home for less than £100,000 just a short walk from the beach. 

With the average UK house price still sitting well above £250,000, coastal living might seem out of reach for many buyers. But OddsMonkey’s latest analysis shows there are still pockets of the country where owning a home by the sea remains surprisingly affordable.

Key Findings

• The cheapest seaside town in the UK is Sunderland, with average prices of just £68,000
• 8 of the 10 cheapest towns are located in the North of England
• Buyers can still find seaside homes for under £100,000 in many locations
• Southern seaside towns are significantly more expensive, starting from around £155,000

The UK’s Cheapest Seaside Towns

According to the OddsMonkey study, the most affordable coastal locations are heavily concentrated in the North, particularly in the North East.

1. Sunderland – £68,000
2. Grimsby – £76,000
3. Peterlee – £90,000
4. Blackpool – £90,000
5. Hartlepool – £98,250
6. Seaham – £100,000
7. Redcar – £105,300
8. Fleetwood – £110,000
9. Bootle – £116,000
10. Blyth – £120,000

Even the most expensive town in this top 10 (£120k) is still less than half the UK average house price of £268,000, highlighting just how stark the regional divide is.

Why are Northern seaside towns so cheap?

The data shows a clear geographic pattern: affordability is concentrated in post-industrial coastal towns in the North.

The UK’s Cheapest Seaside Towns Down South 

While the South of England is typically far more expensive, there are still some relatively affordable coastal options – although prices are notably higher than in the North.

1. Plymouth – £155,000
2. St Austell – £155,000
3. Portsmouth – £157,000
4. Ryde – £158,000
5. Clacton-on-Sea – £163,000
6. Gosport – £168,000
7. Paignton – £180,000
8. Southampton – £185,000
9. Bognor Regis – £185,000
10. Weston-super-Mare – £194,000

What this means for buyers

For those willing to look beyond traditional hotspots, the data shows that seaside living is still accessible, particularly in northern England.

However, buyers should balance affordability with:

• Job opportunities
• Transport links
• Long-term price growth

Meanwhile, southern coastal towns continue to see stronger demand, which helps explain their higher price points.

Full Dataset (Ranked Lowest to Highest)

Methodology

This study analysed housing affordability in 76 seaside towns across England and Wales using data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Median house price data at the Middle-layer Super Output Area (MSOA) level were collected using the ONS tool “How affordable are homes in your neighbourhood?” (2026). MSOAs were used to allow consistent comparisons between areas.

The data were then analysed using simple comparisons to identify differences in house prices and affordability between seaside towns.