north carolina coastal towns
Emily Wong
Updated on June 14, 2026
Nags Head is the largest town in the Outer Banks and also one of the best known beach towns. This is a great place for families, with numerous things to do, including mini golf, family-friendly restaurants, and one of the best beaches in North Carolina.
What is the most affordable beach town in North Carolina?
Realtor.com lists Swansboro as one of 10 Most Affordable Beach Towns for Homebuyers, 2021 | WNCT.
What is the safest coastal town in North Carolina?
Wilmington, Carolina Beach named among safest towns in North Carolina.
Where should I live near the beach in North Carolina?
The 10 Best Places to Live in North Carolina Near the Beach
Oak Island. Investopedia.com has named Oak Island as one of the best places to retire in North Carolina. Wrightsville Beach. Nags Head. Kitty Hawk. Emerald Isle. Edenton. Carolina Beach. Duck.
What city in NC is closest to the ocean?
These towns offer some of the best scenery and plenty of opportunity to mix with locals, exploring the way of life in these towns near the sea.
Southport. Southport lies at the mouth of the Cape Fear River and about 45 minutes north of the South Carolina state line. Edenton. Elizabeth City. Columbia.
What is the prettiest beach in North Carolina?
From Sunset Beach to Nags Head, these are the best North Carolina beaches.
Cape Lookout National Seashore. Nags Head. Duck. Hammocks Beach State Park. Carolina Beach. Ocracoke. Atlantic Beach. Wrightsville Beach.
What is the cheapest coastal town to live in?
Searching for a beach home? These are the top 10 most affordable towns
Atlantic City, New Jersey. Highlight: For those who love the boardwalk and casinos. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Daytona Beach, Florida. Rockland, Maine. Swansboro, North Carolina. Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Long Beach, Washington. Matagorda, Texas.
What is the cheapest coastal state to live in?
Key Findings
Biloxi, MS. Biloxi, Mississippi, ranks at the top of our list as the most affordable beach town in America. Gulfport, MS. With almost seven miles of white sandy beaches, Gulfport, Mississippi, ranks as a strong second. Port Arthur, TX. Pensacola, FL. Ocean Springs, MS. Bay St. Freeport, TX. Melbourne, FL.
What is the least crowded beach in North Carolina?
Emerald Isle Beach, North Carolina
Beaches are not usually crowded, making it a good place for swimming, body boarding, and shelling – just watch out for its population of nesting sea turtles.
Which has better beaches North Carolina or South Carolina?
Of the two states, NC is actually bigger than SC, but SC is closer to the equator, giving it a warmer climate. With its warmer weather, South Carolina has a better year-round beach scene. White sand beaches are plentiful in both states, but SC has more communities near the coast.
Where is the cheapest place to live in North Carolina?
10 Most Affordable Places to Live in North Carolina
Cary. Having a low unemployment rate is just as important as a city’s affordability. Durham. Durham is a city that has everything wrapped into a single location, all the while maintaining its affordability. Concord. Wilmington. Chapel Hill. Morrisville. Wake Forest. Raleigh.
Is Carolina Beach NC A good place to retire?
Carolina Beach is in New Hanover County and is one of the best places to live in North Carolina. Living in Carolina Beach offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Carolina Beach there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
Where is the safest place to live in North Carolina?
Here are the 10 Safest Cities in North Carolina for 2022
Davidson.Winterville.Waxhaw.Cary.Fuquay-Varina.Holly Springs.Pinehurst.Stallings.
Where is a good place to retire in North Carolina?
The Best Places to Retire in North Carolina
Asheville.Raleigh and Durham.Hickory.Winston-Salem.Charlotte.Greensboro.
How far is Asheville NC from the beach?
Roughly 250 miles from the closest ocean-front beach, visitors to Asheville can enjoy the beach-front fun without the long drive at several nearby locations.
Where is the beach in NC?
Best North Carolina Beaches
Emerald Isle.Bald Head Island.Cape Beach.Ocracoke Island.Topsail Island.Oak Island.Wrightsville Beach.
What famous beach is in North Carolina?
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Cape Hatteras is one of the most famous North Carolina beaches (although it contains several!) and one of the ones that come to mind when I think of the seaboard there.