These Two Michigan Beach Towns Are Drawing Homebuyers Nationwide

For years, beach towns have had a reputation for being places where you either own a yacht or know someone who owns a yacht. But according to a new study from moveBuddha, a couple of Michigan communities are proving you don't need a trust fund to live near the water.

RELATED: USA Today Crowns a Michigan Beach the Best in America

The study looked at nearly 400 beach communities across America, narrowing the list based on move demand, proximity to beaches, unemployment rates, and home values. What it found is something that Michiganders have known all along: freshwater beaches can be every bit as appealing as oceanfront destinations, without requiring you to sell a kidney to buy a house.

In fact, Great Lakes communities dominated the rankings of America's most affordable high-demand beach towns.

Two Michigan Towns Made the National List

two white wooden armchairs on beach during sunset

Coming in at #12 nationally was Traverse City. The Northern Michigan favorite boasts an average home value of about $457,910 and sits roughly a mile from the nearest beach. Despite the higher price tag, people continue to flock there, with nearly twice as many people looking to move in as move out.

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But that's not Michigan's best beach bargain.

Michigan's Top Beach Deal Is...

a field of orange tulips with a windmill in the background

The #1 beach town instate, and #5 nationwide, Michigan's most affordable high-demand beach town is... Holland. With average home values around $379,544 and more than two move-in searches for every move-out search, it's clear people are discovering what longtime Michigan residents already knew: sunsets over Lake Michigan never cease to amaze.

RELATED: Toes in the Sand: The 11 Best Beaches in Michigan

In fact, the only city that beat Holland among Great Lakes communities was Racine, Wisconsin, which claimed the nation's top spot with home values under $216,000. Turns out the best beach bargains in America aren't along the Atlantic or Pacific. They're right here in the Great Lakes region, where the water is fresh (and shark-free), and your mortgage payment might not require smelling salts.