The Lone Star State is known for its towering cities, Tex-Mex cuisine, live music, and stunning Gulf Coast beaches. With magnificent waves and sandy coves, boating and kayaking, sightseeing and fishing, the scenic Texas beach towns are some of the best you’ll find. Whether you’re looking to relocate to Texas or are one of the many Texans looking for a beachside property, you have lots of towns to choose from.
But if you’re not sure where to start on your hunt for the best Texas beach town, we’re here to help. From Corpus Christi to Galveston, Redfin has put together a list of 9 amazing Texas beach towns. Let’s dive into some of Texas’s top beach cities, listed in alphabetical order, so you can find the right place for you.
#1: Bolivar Peninsula
Median home price: $449,500
Bolivar Peninsula, TX homes for sale
Bolivar Peninsula, TX apartments for rent
Starting off our list is Bolivar Peninsula, home to roughly 2,600 people. There are plenty of beaches to explore living in the Bolivar Peninsula such as Bolivar Beach, Bolivar Flats, Crystal Beach, Ramada Beach, and Rollover Island. After moving to Bolivar Peninsula, you can stop by Horseshoe Lake and hike the Horseshoe Marsh Nature Trail, or take a fishing charter boat if you’re looking for adventure.
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Get prequalified#2: Corpus Christi
Median home price: $261,000
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $972
Corpus Christi, TX homes for sale
Corpus Christi, TX apartments for rent
Another one of Texas’s great coastal towns to consider buying a home in is Corpus Christi, which has about 317,800 residents. There are plenty of beaches to visit throughout the area like JP Luby Beach, McGee Beach, Mustang Island State Park, North Beach, and Whitecap Beach. You can also explore downtown Corpus Christi, visit one of the many museums, and take a tour of the USS Lexington.
#3: Freeport
Median home price: $223,450
Freeport, TX homes for sale
Freeport, TX apartments for rent
Freeport is home to about 10,600 residents and is about an hour and 15 minutes south of Houston. There are lots of beaches to explore on a sunny Texas day like Bryan Beach and Freeport Beach. If you find yourself moving to Freeport, check out downtown Freeport and explore the many museums, stores, and restaurants.
#4: Galveston
Median home price: $437,500
Galveston, TX homes for sale
Galveston, TX apartments for rent
With beautiful beaches like Babe’s Beach, East Beach, Jamaica Beach, Porretto Beach, San Luis Beach, Sea Life Beach, Sea Shell Beach, Stewart Beach, Sunny Beach, and Terramar Beach, there are countless places to spend a beach day. There are several other top attractions you may want to check out in Galveston. Make sure to explore Galveston Island State Park, spend the day at Moody Gardens, and check out the historic piers overlooking the water.
#5: Kemah
Median home price: $353,750
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,029
Kemah, TX homes for sale
Kemah, TX apartments for rent
The quaint coastal town of Kemah has about 1,800 residents, making it another great option to consider buying or renting in. You’ll find stunning beaches such as El Jardin Beach where you can enjoy the views or have a picnic at. In Kemah, you can explore Kemah Boardwalk, home to roller coasters, ferris wheels, and other boardwalk attractions.
#6: Port Aransas
Median home price: $905,000
Port Aransas, TX homes for sale
Port Aransas, TX apartments for rent
Port Aransas has about 3,100 residents and is a great beach town to consider living in. Some beaches you can visit are Holiday Beach, Port Aransas Beach, and I. B. Magee Beach Park. There’s lots of activities to do in this coastal city. You can visit the Port Aransas Nature Preserve and check out one of the great local restaurants by the water, among many other local favorites.
#7: Port Arthur
Median home price: $139,000
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $771
Port Arthur, TX homes for sale
Port Arthur, TX apartments for rent
With a population of about 55,700, Port Arthur is a scenic beach area to live in, located along Sabine Lake and the Gulf of Mexico. There are plenty of beaches to explore in Port Arthur such as McFadden Beach and Pell’s Beach. If you find yourself moving to this coastal town, make sure to explore the Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge and check out the museums and historic spots.
#8: Rockport
Median home price: $305,500
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $930
Rockport, TX homes for sale
Rockport, TX apartments for rent
Rockport has stunning beaches such as Rockport Beach, great for taking in the water views. Be sure to fish at Rockport Pier, check out museums like Bay Education Center and Texas Maritime Museum, and explore the local restaurants once you move to Rockport.
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Get prequalified#9: South Padre Island
Median home price: $385,000
South Padre Island, TX homes for sale
South Padre Island, TX apartments for rent
Just about 2,100 people live in this area where you’ll find beaches like Isla Blanca Beach and South Padre Island Beach. Some other fun activities to do in South Padre Island include exploring Gravity Park, hiking the Laguna Madre Nature Trail, and stopping by one of the local restaurants for a meal. There are also plenty of lakes in Texas to live on if you’re looking for an alternative to the beach lifestyle.
Note, this list is not comprehensive of all the beach towns in Texas. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during June 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com June 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
