Welcome to paradise!
With it’s lack of pesky state income taxes, top-rated beaches, strong economy and job market, reasonably priced real estate, and pleasant year-round climate, Florida is one of the best US states to relocate to. Whether you’re planning on retiring soon or merely looking for a change of scenery, the Sunshine State makes for one killer place to live – especially if you’re on a bit of a budget.
If you are planning on making the big move to this peninsula state soon, you might be looking around for some of the most affordable locations to live. In this video, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the cheapest places to live in the great state of Florida.
Kissimmee
Home to one of the best amusement parks in the country, Kissimmee, Florida, is a lot more than just an amazing vacation destination. Cost of living and housing is especially affordable here. On the housing side of things, the average home is in the low $100 thousands.
Even though Walt Disney World has made this town a prime tourist attraction, the effects of this have been nothing but positive for the local economy and it’s growth. Kissimmee is one of the premier locations in the nation for entertainment and outdoor recreation activities. It also boasts one of the strongest job markets in the state.
Plus, with it’s convenient roadway system, you’re morning commute should be a breeze.
Cape Coral
Situated in the southwestern corner of Florida not far from Fort Myers, Cape Coral consistently appears in many top 10 lists of the most affordable places to live in the state – and for good reason.
Boasting more than 400 miles of canals, the city has earned itself the nickname of the ‘Waterfront Wonderland’, The population is around 175k and the crime rate is especially low – making it one of the safest cities to live in Florida.
Housing, utilities, and healthcare expenses in Cape Coral are lower than the national average. That being said, grocery and transportation expenses are a tad bit higher than the surrounding area.
The median home price is hovering just around $225,000, and a one-bedroom apartment will run you about $900 a month.
Palm Coast
This Florida seaside town has it all. If you’re looking for a spot along the ocean that boasts community and an easy way of life, Palm Coast just might be the utopia you’ve been looking for. It’s located on the upper eastside of the state. This positioning means that it’s rarely ever touched by hurricanes and provides it’s residents with warm weather and plenty of sunshine year-round.
Palm Coast is a nature-lovers dream come true with it’s vibrant and colorful wildlife, world-class trails, and quiet beaches. It’s an incredibly tranquil community perfect for retires, digital nomads, expats, or just about anyone, really.
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Don’t go anywhere just yet. Keep watching to learn about several other incredibly affordable places to live in Florida.
Palm Bay
In the 1920s, this coastal town in Brevard County changed it’s name from Tillman to what it’s known as today. Living here will give you a typical suburban experience as most residents own their own houses. There are plenty of parks, nature preserves, and wildlife sanctuaries in the surrounding area, and as far as the demographics go, the area is very ethnically and politically diverse. Since it’s centrally located between Miami and Orlando, there is always something to do nearby.
Gainesville
Home of both the University of Florida and Santa Fe College, Gainesville is both one of the most affordable and safest places to live in Florida. It’s a medium size city that can be found in Alachua County and offers residents amenities at a low cost. Median home prices are around $120,000, with the average listing being at $200,000.
There are plenty of things to keep you and your family entertained in town. Gainesville has plenty of parks, walking trails, museums, galleries, and theaters. Job opportunities are plentiful are also plentiful in the area.
The cost of living is 2% lower than the national average – which means that things like housing, groceries, and medical expenses aren’t going to break the bank.
Gainseville is landlocked, however, so if you’re looking for a beachfront property, you’re not going to find it here.
Orlando
If you enjoy warm weather, golfing, athletics, and living an overall active lifestyle, Orlando is one of the best places in the nation to live. While most people know it as being home to several top-tier Theme Parks, Orlando also makes for one spectacular place to live.
Housing costs are lower than the national average, parks and green spaces are aplenty, fresh seafood is abundant and cheap, there are many diverse neighborhoods, and nearby natural wonders like the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge will leave you blown away whenever you choose to venture out.
Quincy
Arguably one of the most underrated cities in the state, Quincy has one of the lowest crime rates in the state and has astonishingly affordable housing.
The median home value is $145,000 and job opportunities are everywhere. Most residents own their own homes and grocery expenses tend to be lower than the national average.
The only expense that is higher than the rest of the country is health care, but what you’ll be spending more for there will be made up for by what you’re saving elsewhere.
Nearby there are plenty of parks, trails, and museums to explore, and there are numerous highly-rated restaurants to visit when you need a break from dining in. The average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment is $900, while a 2 bedroom home will run you around $1,100.
Dunedin
If you’re looking for a place that is both charming and affordable, Dunedin, located on the northwest coast of the state, is one of the best places in Florida to live if you’re on a tight budget. It’s a small beach town with plenty of good schools, a low cost of living, a low crime rate, and decent job prospects.
Downtown housing can run you a pretty penny, but if you’re okay with living on the outskirts of town, Dunedin is one of the cheapest places to live in the state. Housing, transportation, groceries, utilities, and services are all lower than the national average, and there are plenty of affordable condos in the area to rent.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive place to live near the beach, you won’t find many other beachside towns in Florida as affordable as Dunedin.
Bartow
Located about an hour’s drive southwest of Orlando and only 40 miles east of Tampa, Bartow is yet another affordable place to live in Florida. The median home price here is $139,000, and the town tends to be relatively quiet and low in crime.
If you’re really trying to keep your budget to the minimum, you can find one-bedroom studio apartments for rent for as low as $640 a month, and employment opportunities are, at the moment, quite abundant.
Nearby there are plenty of historic buildings, lush parks, and captivating museums to visit. Since it’s located so close to both Tampa and Orlando, you’ll never have trouble finding ways to keep yourself entertained. If you have children, you could easily take a day trip to Orlando’s world-famous theme parks.
Jacksonville
Situated aloing the northeast coast of Florida, Jacksonville is the cheapest place in the state to live. The cost of living here is 7% lower than the national average. You can easily find a one-bedroom apartment for around $900. Groceries, services, and utilities are also extraordinarily inexpensive.
Jacksonville is a very family-friendly city that offers countless recreational activities, especially for those who love water. In addition to it’s stunning beaches, Jacksonville also has top-rated nearby attractions like the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Kingsley Plantation, and Fort George Island Cultural State Park.
The unemployment rate here is very low, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding gainful employment. It’s also located within close proximity to other major cities like Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia.
Edgewater
This city is yet another inexpensive place to live if you’re looking for a place near the beach. Located between Cape Canaveral and Daytona Beach, Edgewater is a relatively small town along the eastern coast of Florida. It’s safe and quiet and has very affordable housing. The crime rate is lower than other major cities in the state, and the unemployment rate is also very low.
Many Atlantic ocean beaches are just a short drive away from Edgewater. You could also easily take a day trip over to Orlando as it’s only about an hour’s drive by car.
On average, you can expect to live here for less than $2000 per month as housing, utilities, healthcare, and other goods and services are all pretty cheap in Edgewater.
Saint Petersburg
Located in central Florida on the west coast, not far from Tampa Bay, Saint Pete is one of the cheapest places in the state to live, seeing as how the average cost of living here is about 1% less than the national average.
The median home price is $184,000, which is 7% lower than that of the rest of the state. The unemployment rate is 4.6% which is 1.2% below that of the national average.
The area is popular for fans of activities like fishing, boating, golfing, and pretty much any watersports that you can think of. Saint Pete also has a thriving nightlife scene, plenty of amazing restaurants, and some of the best beaches on the west coast of Florida.
It’s our hope that this video has been helpful. Moving is a big decision. Not only can relocating to a new town or state be a bit nerve-wracking but there are so many things to consider when narrowing down your search. If affordability is one of your main priorities, fortunately, Florida seems to be a state that has plenty of inexpensive places to live – many of which even boast beach access! What could be better than that?
If you could live anywhere in Florida, where would you choose? And how important is the cost of living to you when considering moving to a new town? Let us know in the comments section down below.
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As always, thanks for watching, and Happy Travels!