Florida is a massive state, and many people flock to towns like Orlando or Boca Raton when moving there. These cities can be expensive. However, there are plenty of affordable places to live in Florida that offer the safety and amenities of a more expensive location. Read on to discover the ten cheapest places to live in Florida.
hash-mark10 Cheapest Places to Live in Florida in 2023
- Jacksonville
- Cape Coral
- Gainesville
- Dade City
- Dunedin
- Kissimmee
- Bartow
- hom*osassa Springs
- Melbourne
- Edgewater
hash-mark1. Jacksonville
The cheapest place to live in Flordia is Jacksonville. It's also one of the largest cities in the United States. Jacksonville is located right at the top of the state, close to the border between Florida and Georgia. But unlike most other large cities, Jacksonville is one of the most affordable places to live if you love Florida.
The median cost of a home in Jacksonville is about $260,000, which is $60,000 below the national average. A one-bedroom apartment runs the average person around $975. You can expect prices lower than most places in the United States here. You can live a comfortable life for around $1,900 a month here, making Jacksonville the cheapest city in Florida.
Jacksonville has a low unemployment rate and offers many homes to choose from, making the job hunt simple enough. It’s close to other big cities if you need to commute for work. It has one of the largest total areas of any city in the United States.
In Jacksonville, you can rest on the beach or watch a movie. It’s a family-friendly city with a zoo, excellent museums, and even a state park. Jacksonville is affordable and packed with everything you could imagine. You can hang out in the city or on the outskirts at the beach.
hash-mark2. Cape Coral
The second cheapest place to live in Florida is Cape Coral, a city located in the southwestern part of the state. It’s easily one of the most affordable places to live in Florida. It's also one of the safest cities in Florida, with one of the lowest crime rates in the state.
The median cost in Cape Coral is about $290,700, below the Florida and US averages. A one-bedroom apartment will cost about $1300. There are fewer taxes in this area, so you can hang onto more of your funds. It’s an ideal location for retirees.
Cape Coral’s expenses lie in their transportation and groceries. Still, you can expect to pay less here than in most Florida towns. It’s an excellent place to live, especially if you want a chance to be right on the water.
Cape Coral is known as the “Waterfront Wonderland” thanks to its intricate system of canals, so you can be by the water whenever you want. Cape Coral is close to Disney, and there are tons of places to eat and stroll right in the city. You can even spend your days fishing if that’s something you enjoy.
hash-mark3. Gainesville
Gainesville is an affordable city in the northern central part of Florida. It's home to two schools - the University of Florida and Santa Fe College and is one of the larger cities in Central Florida. You can reside in a big town while accessing the cost of something smaller.
The median cost in Gainesville is about $210,000, which falls below the Florida and national averages. A one-bedroom apartment here is about $1,100. The only expensive thing in Gainesville is the cost of utilities.
The best thing about living in Gainesville right now is its job market. It’s on an exponential rise, especially within the college system. You can expect to find employment easily if you’re on the hunt for a job in the Gainesville area.
There are plenty of things to do in Gainesville. You can visit hiking trails, public parks, and lakes. Gainesville has a museum you can spend your day exploring.
hash-mark4. Dade City
Dade City is another one of the cheapest places to live in Florida. It’s close to Tampa, making the commute simple if you work in the city. Dade City is possibly the most affordable place to live in Florida.
The median cost in Dade City is about $179,500, which falls well below Florida and the national average. You can expect to pay about $1,372 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city. It’s a spacious and safe place to live.
There are plenty of employers in Dade City, simplifying the job hunt. It’s located by several large universities for access to careers and further education.
There is plenty to do in Dade City. It’s close enough to commute to Orlando, and there are many national parks and trails to enjoy the outdoors. Dade City has many museums and places to eat if you want to explore the world beyond.
hash-mark5. Dunedin
The unique town of Dunedin is also one of the most affordable places to live in Florida. Those seeking a laid-back lifestyle will adore the charming feel this city provides for its residents. It has excellent schools and a low crime rate any family will enjoy.
Themedian cost of a home in Dunedin is about $340,000 at the moment, but the market is constantly changing. Many homes sell for around $245,000. You can expect to pay about $1,100 for a one-bedroom in Dunedin.
This town offers excellent transportation and utility costs. Almost everything here is below the Florida average, making it one of the most affordable places to live in the state.
There are plenty of things to do in Dunedin. From the white sand beaches to the extensive golf clubs, anyone can find relaxation in this idyllic town. They even have an annual Scottish Highland Games for thrill-seekers and kids.
hash-mark6. Kissimmee
Kissimmee is another one of the cheapest places to live in Florida, and it's also very close to the state's theme park hub, a stone’s throw from both Universal Studios and Disneyworld. You can enjoy living close to the Orlando attractions without stressing about pushing through Orlando traffic on a daily basis.
The median cost of a home in Kissimmee is about $265,000. You can expect to pay about $1,050 for a one-bedroom apartment here, which is affordable for the proximity to other destinations.
If you need to work in the city, Kissimmee is an excellent place to live for commuting from work. It’s a combination of affordability and value.
There are plenty of things to do in Kissimmee. You can drive to the Orlando attractions, but you can also enjoy the fun right in this town. It’s close to the beach, and there are delicious places to grab food and enjoy a night on the town with friends or family.
hash-mark7. Bartow
Bartow lies close to central Florida, within about fifty miles of Orlando and Tampa. It’s a quiet location conveniently situated in Polk County, making it simple to commute to work if you have a job outside Bartow.
The median cost of a home in Bartow is about $240,000. You can expect to pay about $900 for a one-bedroom apartment in Bartow, significantly below the national and Florida average. It’s even close to the airport for easy access to travel.
Most people own their homes in Bartow, and there’s an extensive job market thanks to the commutability. Bartow provides quality living for the average person.
There are lots of exciting things to see and do in Bartow. It has many historical locations filled with gorgeous architecture for those who want to appreciate beauty. It’s also close to state parks, themed places, and museums for a day of fun with the family.
hash-mark8. hom*osassa Springs
hom*osassa Springs is a town located just north of Tampa Bay. It’s one of the more rural selections on this list, but it’s still an excellent and affordable place to live for those who prefer a little solitude in their lives.
The median cost of a home in hom*osassa Springs is about $265,000. For a one-bedroom apartment, you can expect to pay about $975, lower than the US and national average on the market. It’s an affordable place to call home.
The proximity to other towns and the quiet nature of hom*osassa Springs makes it one of the best affordable places to live in Florida.
There’s plenty to do for fun in hom*osassa Springs. You can snorkel with gorgeous manatees or travel to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park for a world-famous mermaid show. It’s an excellent location that runs on tourism.
hash-mark9. Melbourne
Melbourne is right on the Atlantic coast, close to Cape Canaveral. It has a solid mix of annual tourists and a group of locals that resides there year-round. It generally has an older population, but younger groups have moved in over the years.
The median cost of a home in Melbourne is about $335,000. You can expect to pay about $1,300, which is relatively low for Florida. It’s a thriving location at the bottom of Florida.
There are both younger and older areas in Melbourne, so you have access to multiple groups your age. It’s one of the most versatile places in Florida, on the rise in popularity.
There are lots of things to do in Melbourne. You can visit the zoo, have fun in a theme park, or take a kayak tour on the water. You’ll never run out of things to do if you decide to live in Melbourne.
hash-mark10. Edgewater
Last up is the city of Edgewater, located on the eastern coast of Florida. It’s close to Daytona Beach and Cape Canaveral. Edgewater is a quaint town that also happens to be one of the cheapest places to live in Florida.
The median cost in Edgewater is about $310,000, though many homes sold for around $270,000. You can expect to pay about $820, one of the cheapest rental fees in both the state and the country.
Edgewater is a convenient location for commuting to work. It has a low violent crime rate and offers plenty of job opportunities for those seeking work. It also has excellent public transportation for those who need help getting to and from locations.
Edgewater has a lot to do, whether you’re a single person or a family of five. Orlando is only an hour away, and you’ll be very close to the beach here. Edgewater is by some of the best campsites in Florida for extra fun.
hash-markCheapest Places to Live in Florida Methodology
To come up with our list of the cheapest places to live in Florida, we looked at housing costs as well as other living costs, including groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. For housing costs, we looked at median prices of sold homes between January 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023, and median rents between January 1, 2022, and January 31, 2023.
