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.AIRBNB GUESTS CHECK INTO THEIR RENTAL TO FIND STARTLING DISCOVERY ON WALL"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."A Philadelphia-based influencer (not pictured) said her family spends about $10,000 each year for a week-long Jersey Shore vacation.

(Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)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.FAMOUS BEACH NOW REQUIRES VISITORS TO RESERVE SPOTS WEEKS AHEAD AND PAY FEESResearch 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.Some commenters said returning to the same shore town every summer is a family tradition that is more important than the cost of their vacation.(Dorann Weber via Getty Images)"For those outside the tri-state [area] ...

just know it’s tradition," one person wrote."For families that vacation down [at] the shor...