Zero income tax, affordable living, sunkissed beaches, and excellent healthcare have drawn over 300,000 people to the Sunshine State. Pensacola boasts a cost of living 13% lower than the national average. Similarly, Lake City’s median home price is $256,530.
But that’s not all! Retirees can enjoy Sebring’s friendly community and peaceful environment, with homes averaging a nominal $209K. Meanwhile, Gainesville offers a booming job market in education, healthcare, and technology, with median home prices at just $279,950.
Florida caters to everyone, regardless of their budget. Let’s take a closer look at some of the cheapest places to live in Florida!
4 Reasons to live in Florida 🌊
- Cheaper Houses: The median home sale price in Florida is ~$390K. But you can get houses between $246K and $301K in cities like Deltona, Lake City, and Panama City.
- Tax Benefits: Florida is one of the few states that do not impose a state income tax, providing residents with significant savings on their income.
- Affordable Healthcare: Healthcare in cities that are mentioned in this blog is up to 27% lower than the state average. In some cities, the average healthcare is even cheaper than the national average.
- Cheaper Rentals: The rent prices of these cities are lower than the national average. You can save up to $200 per month in rent.
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Cheapest Places to Live in Florida in 2024
This list provides most affordable places to live in Florida. These insights gives the average household income, median listing price, population, unemployment rate, and poverty rate of the cities.
| City | Median Household Income | Median Home Value | Population | Unemployment Rate | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Lake City | $46,172 | $256,530 | 12,602 | 4.9% | 15.7% |
| 2. Deltona | $69,074 | $312,230 | 98,739 | 3.6% | 11.07% |
| 3. Pensacola | $67,722 | $268,175 | 53,724 | 3.2% | 14.1% |
| 4. Panama City | $57,221 | $282,843 | 35,660 | 3.0% | 12.2% |
| 5. Lakeland | $58,290 | $324,038 | 122,264 | 3.9% | 14.15% |
| 6. Gainesville | $43,783 | $302,437 | 145,812 | 3.3% | 30% |
| 7. Jacksonville | $64,138 | $302,141 | 985,843 | 3.2% | 12% |
| 8. Kissimmee | $45,319 | $381,612 | 81,269 | 3.50% | 25.96% |
| 9. Bartow | $60,974 | $277,638 | 20,584 | 5.6% | 15.47% |
| 10. Edgewater | $56,886 | $309,913 | 23,636 | 5.1% | 10.36% |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in FL
The annual population growth of 18% since 2010 is reflective of people’s intention to move to Florida. While Florida is home to some of the most expensive cities in the US, here are some cities that offer affordable living options:
1. Lake City
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 14.5%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $256,530 |
| 💲 Rental Price Range | $1,200 |
| 🌅 Known For | Falling Creek Falls |
Lake City’s one of the cheap places in Florida median house rent is $1,200 and the median home value is $256,530. The overall cost of living here is 16% cheaper than the national average. This makes Lake City one of the cheapest Florida cities to live.
Lake City is famous as “The Gateway to Florida” because it sits along Interstate 75, making it an important location. The city has many different types of jobs in areas like tourism, mining for phosphate, making things from trees, and building things. Companies like Custom Windows and REX Construction Services are top employers in construction sectors.
»Homes for Sale in Lake City, FL:Find your dream home in cheapest city to live in Florida.
2. Deltona
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 5.1%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $312,230 |
| 💲 Rental Price Range | $1,979 |
| 🏞️ Known For | Green Springs Park |
Deltona city is one of inexpensive cities to live with a cost of living which is 5.1% lower than the national average. The city’s crime rate which is 60% lower compared to other Florida neighborhoods also makes Deltona the safest place to live in the Sunshine State.
Situated in Central Florida, Deltona enjoys a convenient location with easy access to major cities such as Orange City, Lake Monroe, and Sanford. The city also has attractions like Green Springs Park and Deltona Lake. This makes it an ideal living destination for its inhabitants. Apart from this, United Community Bank and Citizens First Financial are top employers in the city.
»Homes for Sale in Deltona, FL:Browse thousands of property listings in cheapest Florida cities to live.
3. Pensacola
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 11%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $268,175 |
| 💲 Rental Price Range | $1,850 |
| 🏖️ Known For | Pensacola Beach |
Pensacola attracts homebuyers and renters alike given its affordable real estate. The median house rent price is about $1,850 and the median home price is $268,175, making it one of the cheapest cities to live in Florida.
Situated in Florida’s panhandle, Pensacola boasts over 50 miles of coastline along the emerald-green Gulf of Mexico waters, providing residents with stunning beaches and scenic views. Moreover, residents also enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, including water sports, fishing, and hiking. Additionally, McGuire’s Irish Pub and Greater Pensacola Chamber are top business in hospitality sectors.
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4. Panama City
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 4.6%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $282,843 |
| 💲 Rental Price Range | $1,883 |
| 🏖️ Known For | Panama City Beach |
The overall cost of living in Panama City is 4.6% lower than the national average. Panama City is majorly one of the affordable cities in Florida and high-quality health care. Even without health insurance, the cost of a routine visit to the doctor is just $2.
Panama City has a rich history, with significant landmarks such as Panama Viejo and Casco Antiguo. These sites show the colonial past and architectural heritage of the city. Moreover, Eastern Shipbuilding Group and Peoples First Properties, Inc. are the top companies in the city for job seekers.
»Homes for Sale in Panama City, FL:Browse through thousands of properties in most affordable towns in Florida.
5. Lakeland
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 8.4% ⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $324,038 |
| 💲 Rental Price Range | $1,895 |
| 🎨 Known For | Polk Museum of Art |
The cost of living in Lakeland is 8.4% lower compared to the national average. It is the cheapest place in Florida to live and well-connected. Lakeland’s affordable food, health, housing, and transportation facilities make the city one of thecheapest places to live in the US.
Moreover, Lakeland has a rich history, with significant landmarks such as Hollis Garden, the Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture at Florida Southern College, and the Polk Theatre. Apart from this, Publix and Watson Clinic LLP are the top employers int the city.
»Homes for Sale in Lakeland, FL:Browse through thousands of properties in cheap places in Florida.
6. Gainesville
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 7.8%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $302,437 |
| 💲 Rental Price Range | $1,645 |
| 🏫 Known For | University of Florida’s Main Campus |
In Gainesville, people can find the cheapest real estate in Florida. The median house rent is about $1,645, and the median home price is $302,437.
Gainesville is called a college town because of the University of Florida. With an average household income of $66,377, residents can comfortably live in this college town. Apart from this, the city has Exactech and Tower Hill Insurance as top employers in medical and insurance sectors.
»Homes for Sale in Gainesville, FL:Find a home in one of the cheapest places to live in Florida.
7. Jacksonville
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 5%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $302,141 |
| 💲 Rental Price Range | $1,695 |
| 🖼️ Known For | cumme*r Museum of Art |
Jacksonville is Florida’s fastest-growing city. Residents of Jacksonville benefit from a low cost of living, which is 5% less than the national average.
Enjoying a subtropical climate, Jacksonville boasts mild winters and warm summers, making outdoor activities accessible year-round. The city also offers relatively affordable housing, which is 20.5% lower than the national average. Additionally, Jacksonville also has many big companies like as Availity and Southeastern Grocers as their top employers.
»Homes for Sale in Jacksonville, FL:Get yourself a home in this vibrant city.
8. Kissimmee
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 2%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $381,612 |
| 💲 Rental Price Range | $2,300 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Museum of Military History |
Formerly known as “Kowtown,” average median rent for all bedrooms apartment in Kissimmee is $2,300. The housing cost in the city is 11.1% lower than the national average. Kissimmee’s utilities and transportation is quite high. However, top employers like Jr. Davis Construction and MasterBase makes this city one of the cheapest places to live in the US.
» Homes for Sale in Kissimmee, FL: Find cheap homes in Florida.
9. Bartow
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 8.4%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $277,638 |
| 💲 Rental Price Range | $1,963 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Polk County Historical Museum |
Bartow is known for its small city heritage and distinctive Southern culture. This city is located in central Florida with an average rent of $1,963 lower than the US average. Bartow is also close proximity to major cities like Orlando and Tampa.
The cost of living in Bartow is 8.4% lower than the national average. Additionally, the city has 15% lower transportation costs from US average. Apart from this, Bartow Ford Co and PalletOne are the top employers in the city.
» Homes for Sale in Bartow, FL: Search homes in this inexpensive places to live in Florida.
10. Edgewater
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 5.1%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $309,913 |
| 💲 Rental Price Range | $2,175 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Churches & Cathedrals |
The cost of living in Edgewater is 8% lower than Florida average. This city is known for its affordable housing which is 19.4% lower than the US average. Utilities, grocery and transportation costs are also relatively lower than the US average.
Additionally, Edgewater is has low crime rate of 12.5% lower than national average making it cheapest and safest place to live in Florida. Moreover, the city is close to major city like Orlando which is one hour away. With quality education and public transportation to commute to work, Edgewater is one of the cheapest places to live in.
» Homes for Sale in Edgewater, FL: Find houses in cheapest area to live in Florida.
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The Bottom Line
The cost of living in Florida is 2% higher than the national average. It is also home to some of the most expensive cities in America. However, if you want to shift to Florida, you can find affordable housing in cities like Lake City, Deltona, and Pensacola.
Cities like Gainesville and Jacksonville have a slightly expensive cost of living but provide better job opportunities. You must research the city’s home prices and living costs before relocating.
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Research Methodology
We’ve created this list by considering factors such as cost of living, median home price, and rental price range. We have also accounted for the population, median household income, poverty rate, and unemployment rate in these cities.
To compile this list of the cheapest areas to live in Florida, we have drawn data from the Economic Research Institute,World Population Review, Rent Cafe, and Zillow.
FAQs
Which is the cheapest place to live in Florida?
The cheapest place to live in Florida is Lake City. It offers affordable transportation, which is 26.4% lower than the national average.
» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Florida: Find out the other cheapest places to live in Florida!
Where is the best place to live in Florida?
The best place to live in Florida is Jacksonville, followed by Pensacola, Tallahassee, Tampa, Melbourne, Naples and Miami.
Is Florida the cheapest place to live in?
No, it is not. The median home value is $399,944. If you're looking for cities with affordable housing and a low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.
- Cheapest Places to Live in
- Florida
