According to the travel platform, Manly Beach ranked seventh globally and stood out among 25 beaches with a total rating of 4.5 out of 5. Tourists can easily reach Sydney's CBD from here, and there are convenient facilities such as shops and cafes nearby.

Manly Beach offers a variety of activities; visitors can swim in the warm sea, surf (with designated swimming areas and lifeguards on duty), or play in the saltwater pool. However, compared to its beautiful beach scenery, property prices in the vicinity are relatively high. According to PropTrack data, as of January, the median property price in Manly Beach is AUD 4.4 million, an 8.3% increase from last year.

This does not mean that homebuyers seeking a coastal lifestyle have no other options. For homebuyers, the suburban apartment market may offer some relatively cheaper options. According to PropTrack data, median unit prices near Manly Beach have dropped by over 16%, falling to AUD 1.6 million. This may be a more economically viable option for those wishing to live near the beach.

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For renters, the median weekly asking rent for houses at Manly Beach is AUD 1,800, while for units, it's AUD 855 per week. This reflects the pricing level of Manly Beach as a popular tourist destination.

If homebuyers are willing to venture beyond Sydney and its expensive coastal options, there are many economically viable coastal areas to choose from. According to PropTrack data, Tiwi in northern Darwin is one of Australia's cheapest coastal suburbs, with a median house value of AUD 521,119 as of February 2024.

Perth and Adelaide also have many coastal suburbs below AUD 600,000, such as Golden Bay and Safety Bay in Perth, and O'Sullivan Beach and Taperoo in Adelaide.

Karen Dellow, Senior Data Analyst at PropTrack, points out that Sydney and Melbourne are not on the list of the cheapest capital city suburbs nationally. Even in the most affordable coastal suburbs, living costs exceed a million. However, in other cities and regions, some relatively affordable coastal living options are still feasible.

While Manly Beach ranks high in Australia, it faces fierce competition globally. According to Tripadvisor's selection, Praia da Falésia in Portugal won the crown for 2024, followed by Spiaggia dei Conigli in Italy and La Concha Beach in Spain. Ka'anapali Beach in Hawaii and Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.