
In 2025, the vacation rental market is booming, with Airbnb’s gross bookings jumping 32% from last year. Travel spending is set to rise by 10%, hitting $1.2 trillion, according to the U.S. Travel Association, showing just how much folks are craving extraordinary travel experiences. Owning a vacation home is a smart investment, and this piece highlights some of the top spots on the East Coast.
10 Top East Coast Locations for Owning a Vacation Home
If you want to own a vacation home on the East Coast, you’re in luck. There are so many incredible spots, each offering its unique charm, growing economies, and a bit of something special for every type of traveler. Let’s look at some of the top locations that make owning a vacation property on the East Coast a great investment.
1. Hatteras, North Carolina

This place is a hidden treasure located in the Outer Banks, It attracts all the lovers of nature and people who love outdoors with its very nice beaches. Approximately 500 people live in this community year-round, but during the summer months, the population grows, this place is normally full. For any water sporting action, like kiteboarding, this place is perfect. Well, for tourists, Hatteras does have an alive-and-well tourism scene going on.
- Typical home value: $350,000
- Occupancy: 60%
- Average daily rate: $250
- Average annual revenue: $55,000
- Unique Feature: Hatteras is home to the iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest brick lighthouse in America.
2. Key West, Florida

Key West is a vacation spot for a reason. Its laid-back island vibe, its culture, the seafood-it’s really hard to find things not to love about this place. The population is about 25,000 year-round, but the tourism industry here is booming. Economic growth is strong thanks to tourism, and real estate values have increased.
- Typical home value: $1,200,000
- Occupancy: 75%
- Average daily rate: $500
- Average annual revenue: $135,000
- Unique Feature: Key West is known for being the southernmost point of the continental U.S.
3. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular destinations on the East Coast for reasons such as being a family-friendly city with a breathtaking coastline. There are about 35,000 people in this coastal town, full of entertainment options ranging from golf courses, theaters, and shopping. The real estate market has noticed solid growth recently, especially as more discover its family-friendly atmosphere and beautiful coastline.
- Typical home value: $350,000
- Occupancy: 70%
- Average daily rate: $230
- Average annual revenue: $60,000
- Unique Feature: Myrtle Beach is famous for its 60-mile stretch of sandy coastline.
4. Delaware

A state that’s often overlooked, Delaware offers some amazing spots for vacation homes. From coastal towns like Rehoboth Beach to more rural retreats, Delaware is gaining popularity. Its real estate market is growing, especially in beach communities, attracting families and retirees alike. Its lack of sales tax is a nice bonus for investors.
- Typical home value: $600,000
- Occupancy: 65%
- Average daily rate: $325
- Average annual revenue: $75,000
- Unique Feature: Rehoboth Beach is a year-round resort town known for its boardwalk trendy boutiques.
5. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is Southern charm at its most refined, with a touch of modern style. With around 150,000 residents, it is a vibrant and growing city. Charleston truly is an economic powerhouse in South Carolina, from its booming tourism to its equally hot tech industries. Real estate markets are hot, everything from historic homes to sleek, and modern luxury condos across the city.
- Typical home value: $504,000
- Occupancy: 68%
- Average daily rate: $386
- Average annual revenue: $86,000
- Unique Feature: Charleston boasts a rich historic district filled with cobblestone streets, antebellum homes.
6. Navarre, Florida

Tucked between Pensacola and Destin, Navarre’s a hidden gem in Florida that’s been quietly getting some well-deserved attention. It’s still a small town with about 40,000 peoples, but it’s fast becoming the go-to spot for anyone looking to dodge the crowds at Florida’s bigger beaches. The real estate market’s been picking up, A nice mix of affordable homes and some seriously beautiful coastline.
- Typical home value: $450,000
- Occupancy: 68%
- Average daily rate: $280
- Average annual revenue: $65,000
- Unique Feature: Known for its stunning, unspoiled white-sand beaches, Navarre is often called “Florida’s best-kept secret,” offering peaceful retreats with less crowded beaches.
7. Outer Banks, North Carolina

The Outer Banks is a chain of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, known for its natural beauty and history. With a population that fluctuates between 50,000 to 60,000, the Outer Banks draws in tourists year-round. From Corolla to Hatteras, the Outer Banks offers a mix of vacation homes with plenty of potential for rental income.
- Typical home value: $475,000
- Occupancy: 70%
- Average daily rate: $325
- Average annual revenue: $78,000
- Unique Feature: The Outer Banks is home to the Wright Brothers National Memorial, where the first powered flight in history took place.
8. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Rehoboth Beach is a vibrant beach town known for its friendly nature and strong cultural vibe. It’s a summer resort town, and the population swells during the peak months. Competition in the real estate market is strong, and it’s one of the most expensive resort towns in Delaware, but the potential for rentals makes up for that.
- Typical home value: $650,000
- Occupancy: 70%
- Average daily rate: $350
- Average annual revenue: $80,000
- Unique Feature: Rehoboth Beach’s iconic boardwalk offers an old-school vibe with amusement rides, arcades, and various shops and restaurants lining the shore.
9. Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod probably holds the reputation for being the most popular New England retreat. To the buyers of holiday homes, it signifies charming ocean-side villages with sandy beaches, which is indeed a perfect holiday haven. It has a population of around 200,000 people. The economy is mainly connected to tourism. Real estate market in Cape Cod is more expensive, but it is regarded as a high-demand area.
- Typical home value: $650,000
- Occupancy: 60%
- Average daily rate: $350
- Average annual revenue: $80,000
- Unique Feature: Cape Cod’s National Seashore offers miles of pristine, untouched beaches, salt marshes, and hiking trails.
10. Corolla, North Carolina

Corolla is a small beach town in the northeastern Outer Banks with only a few residents, around 500. It isn’t as popular with vacationers, in comparison to another busy area right within the premise, but likewise a favorite mainly because of retreating to a more peaceful vibe. Real estates are on one’s way for higher prices as more often people get hooked with this beauty, and most importantly, most sell beachfront properties with stunning Corolla views as an added breathtaking feature.
- Typical home value: $600,000
- Occupancy: 65%
- Average daily rate: $325
- Average annual revenue: $70,000
- Unique Feature: Corolla is famous for its wild horses that roam the beach, offering a unique blend of nature and adventure in a peaceful setting.
Outro:
The East Coast has awesome spots for owning a vacation home, each with its vibe and rental potential. Whether you’re into the charm of Charleston’s historic streets or Navarre’s laid-back, sandy beaches.
There is a place just waiting for you, from energetic hotspots to serene retreats, where you can find your place to kick back and relax-and possibly even bring in some more cash.
The East Coast awaits you, so why wait? Your dream vacation home might just be a beach away!.