Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – (February 28, 2022) – HomeToGo, the world’s largest vacation rental marketplace, today revealed the results of its 2022 Beach Price Index, ranking the 22 top beach destinations in the U.S. based on traveler search interest and affordability. The ranking includes this year’s most popular beach destinations across the country, uncovering what spring break travelers can expect in terms of parking, beach necessities, and accommodation prices. This year’s top destinations span the U.S. coastline from Florida to Oregon, highlighting the top affordable destinations based on a less than $150 per person nightly budget.
Surfside Beach, S.C. comes in at number 3.
“After a long and unseasonably cold winter, many travelers are looking to escape to sunny beach destinations to make warm memories this spring,” said Caroline Burns, Head of PR and Travel Expert, HomeToGo. “We are excited to bring this helpful guide for families looking to plan an affordable spring break getaway. Beachfront homes with full kitchens and plenty of outdoor space reign as the accommodation of choice for travelers who are looking to dive into a new destination without having to travel far.”
Based on the cost of parking, sunscreen, a bottle of soda, and accommodations found near the beach on HomeToGo for the 2022 spring break season, here’s a snapshot of the top-ranking beaches from this year’s report:
Top Affordable Beach Vacations in the U.S. for 2022 – Ranked by Price
| Beach | Parking | Sunscreen | Soda | Accommodation | Total Nightly Price Per Person |
| 1. Ocean City Beach, MD | Free | $7.97 | $2.08 | $64.18 | $77.23 |
| 2. Hatteras Beach – Outer Banks, NC | Free | $6.97 | $1.93 | $68.70 | $77.60 |
| 3. Surfside Beach, SC | Free | $6.97 | $1.88 | $81.87 | $90.72 |
| 4. Jacksonville Beach, FL | $6.00 | $6.97 | $1.99 | $76.28 | $91.24 |
| 5. East Beach – Galveston Island, TX | $14.00 | $7.97 | $1.25 | $71.79 | $94.41 |
| 6. South Padre Island Beach, TX | Free | $7.97 | $2.47 | $84.37 | $94.81 |
| 7. Easton’s Beach – Newport, RI | $15.00 | $7.97 | $2.11 | $71.47 | $96.55 |
| 8. Nye Beach – Newport, OR | Free | $6.97 | $1.75 | $88.59 | $98.31 |
| 9. Virginia Beach, VA | $10.00 | $6.97 | $2.49 | $80.89 | $100.35 |
| 10. Panama City Beach, FL | $5.00 | $7.97 | $1.46 | $86.45 | $100.88 |
For a complete breakdown of the methodology and all 22 destinations in this year’s Beach Price Index, read the full report at https://www.hometogo.com/united-states/spring-break/#beach-price-index-2022.
Additional takeaways from this year’s Beach Price Index:
The Beachiest State for Spring Break: Florida is the best-represented state in this year’s ranking with 4 of the top 22 most searched beaches, followed by Texas (3) and California (3).
Best Beach for Bargain Hunters: Ocean City Beach in Maryland earned the top spot in this year’s affordability ranking.The estimated trip cost to Ocean City Beach is nearly half as much as Moonlight Beach, Encinitas, CA, the most expensive beach in this year’s ranking.
Stay Near the Beach and Save: Carolina Beach, NC came in at #21 in our ranking this year, however, beachgoers could save up to $25 per day in parking fees by choosing to stay in accommodations near the beach.