Living the Dream: Own an Island Home for Less Than $95,000

Whether it’s the allure of a sandy coastline where you can soak up the sun and listen to the waves, or the peaceful charm of remote island life far from the hustle and noise of big-city living, the dream of living on an island holds strong appeal for many people. The idea of escaping to your own little piece of paradise is undeniably tempting.

Now, to be clear, we’re not talking about a deserted, off-the-grid island where you’re left to fend for yourself with a fishing pole and a coconut. This is real, livable island life with all the comforts of home. Of course, the word "island" often comes with visions of luxury resorts and million-dollar villas, and it's easy to assume that kind of lifestyle is out of reach.

But here’s the exciting part, owning a home on an island might actually be far more affordable than you think. In fact, there are places where you can buy a charming island property for under $95,000! That’s right, your dream of living by the sea or enjoying the slower pace of island life could be much closer (and more budget-friendly) than you ever imagined.

To determine the most affordable islands (and a few peninsulas) to live on, 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.

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