Did you know that more than half the states in this country have beaches? 30 states. Turns out the mainland isn’t as landlocked as it appears. Still, it’s hard to beat the beaches in Hawaii, which is just part of why our real estate market is thriving right now.

After a record breaking month in June, in which the median sales price of a single-family home on Oahu hit $700,000 for the first time, prices stayed hot throughout the summer, as seen in our most recent Market Update. However, owning a piece of island paradise is more affordable than you think.

In fact, when RealtyTrac rated the most affordable beach towns in the US, more than half of the communities in the Top 20 – the most of any state – including six of the top ten, were located in the Aloha state.

“Buying near a beach is one of the best ways to ensure a property will appreciate in value,” said Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac, “Whether buying for retirement, a vacation home or a primary residence, homes located in quality beach towns benefit from virtually unlimited demand and a finite supply of land to build on.”

RealtyTrac ranked the best beach communities based on the following factors:

  • Home values (median value of single-family homes and condos)
  • Weather
  • Air quality
  • Crime rates

Ranking highest in Hawaii (No. 3 overall) was Waianae, northwest of Honolulu on the island of Oahu. The fantastic air quality, average daily temperature of 76 degrees, 74 percent sunny days and a crime rate of B accounted for the high rating.

Other Hawaii beach towns among the Top 20 were Ewa Beach at No. 8, Waipahu at No. 10, Honolulu at No. 13, Pearl City at No. 14, Kaneohe at No. 15, and Kailua at No. 18 — all on the island of Oahu – and Wailuku at No. 4, Kahului at No. 7, Kihei at No. 9, and Lahaina at No. 12 — all on the island of Maui.

Here are some homes currently for sale in these communities that are priced under $500,000:

91-1095 Aawa Drive, Ewa Beach | $498,000

87-230 Okohola Street, Waianae | $425,000

91-1107 Kaimalie Street #2U6, Ewa Beach | $399,000

94-549 Lumiaina Street #Q103, Waipahu | $355,000

87-1972H Pakeke Street #25. Waianae | $320,000

94-1363 Kulewa Loop #15A, Waipahu | $300,000

94-1430 Polani Street #31A, Waipahu | $285,000

87-154 Liliana Street #G, Waianae | $250,000

91271 Hanapouli Circle #14J, Ewa Beach | $205,000