Jersey Shore Vacation Costs Jump 11% This Summer as Gas and Rentals Drive Increases

Vacations at the Jersey Shore cost 11.29% more this year than last. That wipes out the 5% drop beachgoers enjoyed the summer before. Affinity Federal Credit Union tracked prices in spring 2026 and found increases across every category they watched.

Travel costs shot up 31.4%. Gas caused most of that spike, jumping 51.68% since last summer. On May 18, a gallon of regular in New Jersey hit $4.506 — up from $2.99 twelve months earlier.

Week-long rentals in Asbury Park, Point Pleasant, and Seaside Heights surged 53%. Why? Property owners are getting hammered by insurance bills, taxes, and higher property values. The credit union started tracking rental data at these three towns two years ago.

Food and drink went up 6.74%. Pizza prices rose 28.8%. Gelati climbed almost 7%, while coffee ticked up about 2%. Activities like mini-golf and aquarium visits increased 5.23%, with mini-golf at 5.36% and aquarium tickets at 5.56%.

Beach tags, sunblock, and chair rentals saw the smallest bump — just 1.79%. Adult beach badges increased 7.14%, though some towns froze their rates for 2026. Sunblock and chair rentals didn’t budge.

Parking rates skyrocketed 50%. Tolls actually dropped 7.49%. Sunset cruises held their prices steady despite inflation hitting everything else.

“The Jersey Shore remains a meaningful and often non-negotiable part of summer for many of our members,” said Grant Gallagher, director of financial wellbeing and brand communications at the credit union, according to Business Wire “Increasing financial pressures won’t change the connection so many feel to the Shore.”

Businesses are hurting too, according to Gallagher. “We’ve observed significant price hikes from businesses and see it as an indication that they are feeling the financial strain that consumers feel as well,” he said in a statement.

New Jersey Business Magazine called 2026 the “Year of Tourism.” The FIFA World Cup and other summer sporting events are driving that. Visitor spending should top $4.3 billion.

Kevin Brauer, president and CEO of the institution, said shore trips remain a priority. “A trip to the Jersey Shore remains an important part of summer for many families,” Brauer said in a statement. “With vacation expenses rising sharply, we’re committed to providing guidance and resources that can help families navigate these challenges.”

The credit union conducted its research through phone calls to shore town businesses this May, then compared the data to what they gathered in spring 2025.

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