An online vacation rental hub has three locales on the Outer Banks as some of the most affordable spring break destinations on the U.S. East Coast.
HomeToGo’s 2023 East Coast Beach Index ranks the most affordable spring break beach destinations for travelers to make a splash without getting burnt by prices, according to a news release.
Using a combination of four metrics, including popularity, sunshine, temperature and affordability, Buxton ranked only behind Sunny Isle Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Pompano Beach, all in Florida.
Hatteras Village was rated seventh, and Ocracoke 24th. Wrightsville Beach was the other North Carolina destination on the list, ranking 10th.
“Widely celebrated for the region’s warm weather, unparalleled scenery, and beautiful seafront homes, the beaches along the East Coast continuously rank as top travel destinations for spring break,” said Mike Pearce, HomeToGo Spokesperson and Travel Expert.
“This year, we wanted to put these popular beach destinations to the test and see where families can find the most sun and sand for their dollar,” Pearce said. “From the shores of Rhode Island all the way to the southern tip of Florida, our team had a blast putting this index together and were happily surprised by the beaches that made it to the top.”
While Buxton was the 24th most searched destination on HomeToGo.com and the average temperature is just 54 degrees and an average of four rain days during the weeks that normally encompass Spring Break, it had the average lowest per night rate of destinations ranking in the top 10 and fifth lowest overall at $79.20.
Hatteras was the 21st most searched, while averaging $81.89 per night, which was the second lowest in the top ten and sixth lowest overall.
Ocracoke had the fourth most searches in the rankings, and fifth lowest per night stay overall at $77.65. Its average of seven rain days was second most in the rankings.
HomeToGo’s internal search demand data, which used the average accommodation price per person during the peak spring season for 2023, and the expected weather forecasts, were used to determine the company’s 2023 East Coast Beach Price Index. Additional data in the report found:
- Average Nightly Cost for Accommodations: Travelers dreaming of a spring break getaway on the East Coast can look forward to savoring the sunshine while saving money. On average, the nightly cost per person for accommodations in this region is $130.24.
- Best Place to Chase Sun and Run from Rain: The top destination in this year’s index, Sunny Isles Beach in Florida, is also expected to boast the warmest temperatures with an average of 74° F. Three additional Sunshine State destinations, Jacksonville Beach (2), New Smyrna Beach (11) and Daytona Beach (9), are predicted to have the least amount of rainfall with only one overcast day.
- Best Beach for Bargain Hunters: Budget-savvy travelers can take delight in all the spring break fun without spending a ton at Bethany Beach (13), a small coastal town in Delaware. Ringing in as the most affordable East Coast destination, travelers can expect the average nightly accommodation to be less than $55 per person, which is more than half as much as Havens Beach (25) in Sag Harbor, New York, the most expensive beach in this year’s ranking.
