Are you thinking of moving to Florida? Well, there are many things to love about living there. Florida is a state with beautiful sunny weather, fantastic beaches, diverse culture, discounts to locals from numerous attractions, and so much more. Florida also has no state income tax. There are still federal taxes, so don’t ditch your tax calculator just yet. While this city can be expensive, there are plenty of affordable places to live in Florida that offer the amenities and safety you’ll get in more expensive locations.
Over 303,000 new residents move to Florida yearly, an average of 831 people daily. If you want to be one of these residents but don’t have a robust budget, you’ve come to the right place, as we will enlighten you on the eight cheapest places to live in Florida. Whether you are a retiree, an expatriate, a digital nomad, or want to move to Florida to start a new life, you will find this article helpful.
Cape Coral
Cape Coral is a city in the Southwestern part of Florida with a median cost of homes at about $290,700, which is below the US and Florida average. A typical one-bedroom apartment in Cape Coral costs about $1300 on average. Also, there are fewer taxes in this area. However, the main areas where you may spend the most are groceries and transportation. You can expect to pay less here compared to most cities in Florida.
Dunedin
Dunedin might be the perfect location for you if you want a place with a laid-back lifestyle. Dunedin is known for its excellent schools and low crime rate. The median cost of homes here is about $157,200, or about $1000 median monthly rent. Not only does this area offer budget-friendly homes, but the unemployment rate is low at 3.5%.
Kissimmee
Kissimmee is another great place to live in Florida, located close to the state’s theme park hub, which is a stone’s throw from Disneyworld and Universal Studios. Living in this area is affordable yet offers you the enjoyment of living close to Orlando without pushing through Orlando traffic. The median cost of a home in Kissimmee is about $250,000, while renting a one-bedroom apartment is about $1000 per month.
Gainesville
Gainesville is located in the northern central part of Florida and is home to two great educational institutions – the Sante Fe College and the University of Florida. Gainesville is one of the largest cities in Florida, with a relatively affordable cost of living. The average median cost of homes in Gainesville is about $183,000, below the national average. In comparison, a one-bedroom apartment costs about $1100 per month.
Homosassa Springs
Homosassa Springs is a town located North of Tampa Bay. While the town is rather rural, it is still an excellent option for anyone who prefers a little solitude. The median cost of homes in this area is about $245,000, while renting a one-bedroom apartment is about $900 per month on average. There are plenty of fun things to do in Homosassa Springs, like snorkeling, traveling to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, etc.
Titusville
Titusville is a small city in Brevard County with a suburban feel, making it an ideal destination for families. Compared to other cities in Florida, Titusville is quite an affordable place to live. On average, the median cost of homes in Titusville is about $160,800. This town is a great place to live, particularly if you work in SpaceX or NASA, because of its proximity to Cape Canaveral.
Plant City
Located in Hillsborough County, Plant City is a suburb of Lakeland. This town offers its residents a sparse suburban feel and a high livability rating considering its education standard, low crime rate, affordable cost of living, and overall resident happiness. On average, the median cost of homes in Plant City is about $193,000. This town is also known for its festivals, like the Florida Strawberry Festival, an 11-day-long festival usually coming up in March.
Melbourne
Melbourne is a town close to Cape Canaveral, right on the Atlantic Coast. On average, the median cost of a home in Melbourne is about $195,000, and a typical one-bedroom apartment costs about $1300 per month. Melbourne’s residents are mostly seniors; however, the population of youth in the city has increased over the past decades.
Conclusion
While the cost of housing has been on the rise lately, there are still some affordable places to live in Florida, as you can see from this article. However, other living costs need to be considered when searching for the cheapest place to live in Florida, apart from housing costs. Other living costs include utilities, transportation, groceries, healthcare, education, and so on. Do well to browse through our list of houses in those locations and plan your relocation with the actual prices of homes in the area you plan to move to.
