Once-affordable summer escape rocked by soaring costs as families shell out thousands

An influencer recently alleged that her family shells out $10,000 each year to visit a Jersey Shore spot for a single week — prompting people to question whether that type of price tag is worth it.

A Philadelphia-based influencer posted the viral video on Aug 2.

In the TikTok video, the influencer breaks down the rental costs while walking through Sea Isle City in Cape May County with a beach chair on her back.

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"Every year we pay $10,000 to come down to the Jersey Shore," the influencer said in the video.

"These houses, you rent — and you need to bring your own sheets, toilet paper, paper towels, no food. You gotta bring your coffee, everything, everything."

The influencer added, "Every year, I'm like, ‘This is such a racket,’ but here I am. No parking, you need to walk to the beach, [take] all of your [stuff with you]. Basically, we're paying $10,000 to camp."

Although once seen as budget vacations for New Jersey families, Jersey Shore getaways have climbed sharply in cost in recent years.

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Research from Affinity Federal Credit Union in the Garden State found that the average cost of a Jersey Shore vacation this summer is 11.29% higher than last year, with week-long vacation rentals in Asbury Park, Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights up 53% year over year.

In the comments section of the influencer's video, a minority of TikTok viewers defended the costs.

"For those outside the tri-state [area] ... just know it’s tradition," one person wrote. "For families that vacation down [at] the shore, it’s the same town every year, same rental / hotel, same groups of vacation friends. ... It’s what makes it all worth it."

Locals and frequent Jersey Shore visitors, meanwhile, said the annual tradition simply isn't worth the price tag.

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"As a local, I’ll never understand why y’all do it," one person said.

"Every year you [pay] $10K is another year you prove that they can charge $10K," another commenter chimed in.

A third person wrote, "I live at the Jersey Shore, and I can promise you [that] nothing you rent is worth $10,000!"

Others argued the money would be better spent on an international vacation.

"[Ten thousand dollars] will get you an AMAZING trip to Greece!" a viewer wrote.

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"10K for the Jersey Shore is just insane," another said. "You can go to Europe instead."

Duane Watlington, founder of Vacation Rentals Jersey Shore, which operates websites featuring more than 3,100 vacation rentals, has another take on the matter.

"Somebody spending $10,000 a week at the Jersey Shore is definitely an above-average luxury rental," he told Fox News Digital.

"On Long Beach Island, the midpoint of a weekly rental during the summer is $7,000. … Ocean City's midpoint is $4,700 a week, and Wildwood's midpoint is only $3,500 a week," he said.

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Watlington urged visitors to consider June or September if they want to find lower prices. 

He said that sometimes the cost can come down by 50% by doing that.

He noted that most travelers who visit the shore are driving, so they save money on airfare. 

He added, "Food you gotta pay for regardless."