Article Overview: Cheapest Places to Live in Florida

If you’re looking to make a move to one of the cheapest places to live in Florida you’ve come to the right place! I’ve bounced around the state quite a bit myself over the years and since I haven’t won the lottery (yet) affordability has always been a factor.

This is a list is made up of more than just a gut feeling based on my own personal experience. And it does not just include the absolute cheapest places to live in Florida (where few souls go willingly).

For this curated list of the most affordable places to live in Florida I’ve ranked cities based on a number of criteria and included important statistics for each including:

• Population
• Median Age
• Median Home Price
• Median Income
• Cost of Living
• Unemployment Rate

Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!

Cheapest Places to Live in Florida

Top 5 Small Cities – Cheapest Places to Live in Florida

15. Vero Beach

Starting off our list of cheapest places to live in Florida is a smaller city located on one of Florida’s barrier islands, Vero Beach. With a population of just under 17,000 residents, Vero Beach has a more community driven vibe then some of the bigger cities on this list.

With the median home prices in Vero Beach currently under $450,000 and the cost of living index at three percent less than the national average, this is an attractive place to live for folks living on a fixed income.

The average age of Vero Beach residents is 54 years old so if you’re looking for one of the cheapest cities in Florida for retirees, this is an especially good spot.

14. Mount Dora

Moving back to central Florida for the next city on our list of the cheapest places to live in Florida, Mount Dora is a great place for folks wanting proximity to Orlando without living in Orlando.

Median home prices in Mount Dora are a bit higher some of the other places on this at around $400,00 but still well below the national average. The cost of living here is also 4% below the national average which means more savings for you.

I’d recommend Mount Dora for folks looking for that classic, safe suburb experience near one of Florida’s biggest cities at an affordable price.

13. Dade City

For those looking for the perfect Tampa Bay suburb that combines affordability with proximity, add Dade City to the top of your list of the cheapest places to live in Florida.

Median home prices under $350,000 with a cost of living index at 6% lower than the national average makes Dade City a great option for folks looking to pad their savings accounts.

While the population is less than 10,000 people, you’re only 30-40mins from downtown Tampa. Within the city however you definitely get that small town charm which could be just what you’re looking for.

With an average age of just 36, Dade City is one of the youngest cities on our list of the cheapest places to live in Florida.

12. Bartow

Located about halfway between Tampa and Orlando, Bartow is one of the absolute cheapest places to live in Florida. It’s a suburb of nearby Lakeland, Florida where you’ll find any major stores missing from Bartow.

Living in Bartow you’ll have a typical suburbs life with the added bonus of equal amounts sunshine and affordability.

Bartow boasts a median home price of less than $300,000 dollars and a cost of living index of 9% below the national average! You’ll be hard-pressed to find numbers like that anywhere in America.

With an average age of just 35, Bartow is also one of the more youthful of the cheapest places to live in Florida.

11. Homosassa Springs

Wildlife lovers will find Homosassa Springs extra charming as one of the cheapest places to live in Florida. Here you can see manatees, hundreds of bird species, alligators, and more.

Nestled between wildlife management areas and situated just a couple miles from the coast, Homosassa Springs is one of the most rural cities on our list of the cheapest places to live in Florida. As such, housing lots are considerably bigger and so are the savings.

The cost of living index for Homosassa Springs is a staggering 11% lower than the national average meaning

Top 5 Mid-Size Cities – Most Affordable Places to Live in Florida

10. Ocala

Staying in central Florida, the next city on our list of the cheapest places to live in Florida might be the best for you if you’re a more outdoorsy type.

Ocala is located on the Ocala National Forest and has incredible access to nature including some of America’s most beautiful natural springs.

For those looking to move hear to save some money I’ve got great news for you. Median home prices here are currently less than $300K (30% less than the national average!) and the overall cost of living is 7% less than the national average making Ocala one of the cheapest places to live in Florida.

9. Titusville

The next city on our list of the cheapest places to live in Florida is especially great for space fans. Titusville is located just 10 miles from Kennedy Space Center meaning you’ll have front row seats to all the rocket launches.

Beyond that, with a median home price of just $300,000 (30% below the national average) and a cost of living index sitting at 8% lower than the national average, Titusville is a great place to save some money!

The average age of residents here is about 45 years old with lots of families in the neighborhood.

8. Edgewater

Moving on to the next city on our list of the cheapest places to live in Florida we land at Edgewater. If you’re looking for a more rural but still suburban feel then give this one a good look.

With a median home price of just $330,000 and a cost of living at 7% lower than the national average, Edgewater is definitely one of the cheapest places to live in Florida.

Housing lots here are a bit roomier too with more land for you to spread out than most Florida neighborhoods. With an average age of 54, Edgewater is one of the cheapest cities to live in Florida for retirees looking to settle down somewhere affordable.

7. Kissimmee

If you’ve ever been to Disney World odds are you’ve probably also been to Kissimmee as the city’s western edge practically borders the Disney complex of properties.

As one of Orlando’s largest suburbs, Kissimmee has close access to all the same amenities with an even greater level of affordability. While the median home price in Kissimmee is similar to Orlando the cost of living is significantly lower at 7% less than the national average.

For lovers of amusement parks or nature Kissimmee might be right up your alley. To the south of the city you’ll find vast swaths of lakes and wildlife management areas whereas to the west are all the amusement parks you could ever dream of.

6. Dunedin

Just north of the popular resort town of Clearwater is one of the cheapest places to live in Florida – Dunedin.

Those look for the charm of a gulf coast address with the affordability of something not so ocean-front might just find a perfect harmony here. This charming city is full of beauty and parks.

Just across the Dunedin Causeway you’ll find the beautiful Honeymoon Island State Park while in town you can still scratch your nature itch with Hammock Park.

The median home price in Dunedin of just below $420,000 is comfortably below the national average while the cost of living index is 4% below the national average.

Top 5 Large Cities – Cheapest Places to Live in Florida

5. Melbourne

While I wouldn’t exactly call Melbourne a large city, for the purposes of our list of the cheapest places to live in Florida we’re going to do just that.

With a growing population of over 85,000 people and a cost of living index at a whopping 6% lower than the national average, Melbourne may soon be a large Florida city.

Add in the median home price of $420,000 that’s still well below the national average and one of the higher median incomes in Florida and this continues to look like one of the best, cheapest places to live in Florida.

4. Orlando

As the most famous city on this list of the cheapest places to live in Florida, people are bound to have strong feelings about Orlando (add yours to the comments below). The home of every kid’s dream destination, Disney World, there’s no shortage of things to do here.

The catch is that a lot of those things require a lot of money. However, those living in Orlando get big time breaks on lots of the major attractions so if you live for theme parks then there’s no better place to live in Florida (or the world).

This statistic may come as a shock to some but Orlando is the most visited destination in the world with a staggering 75 million people making the trek in 2019 (prior to the pandemic).

The downtown area of Orlando has a lot going on and is very lively with great restaurants, tasty coffee, and plenty to do. Part of that might have something to do with the average age of residents being under 34 years of age.

Despite the state’s reputation, Orlando is one of the cheapest places to live in Florida for the LGBTQ community with a reputation for inclusiveness.

3. Cape Coral

Cape Coral is located in Southwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. With has a population of around 180,000 people, Cape Coral is known for its extensive canal system, which connects the city in a charming Venice style way.

From folks I know, it seems that owning a boat here really makes a huge difference in overall enjoyment as it unlocks access to much of most enjoyable parts of the city. In fact, there are over 400 miles of canals in Cape Coral!

In Cape Coral you’ll find a slower pace of life than the nearby Fort Myers. There’s a plethora of great restaurants and nice parks, but little in the way of nightlife.

2. Jacksonville

Jacksonville is one of the cheapest places to live in Florida for a number of reasons. Let’s start with the neighborhoods which are beautiful and among the finest in the state.

All over the city you’ll find a variety of really great restaurants along with breweries, and a coffee scene increasingly tailored to the discerning millennial. It never seems like there’s a shortage of things to do in Jacksonville.

There’s a plethora of beautiful parks in and around the city as well as great access to the water (both the river and ocean). Living in Jacksonville you’ll notice it’s a younger Florida city with an average age of about 36 years.

On the downside, Jacksonville public transportation is not up to snuff and getting anywhere seems to require a 30 minute drive. Crime is on the rise but that seems to be the case everywhere.

1. Gainesville

As far as the cheapest cities to live in Florida go, Gainesville is the youngest and one of the most affordable. The average age of residents here is just 26.4 years old due primarily to the University of Florida calling Gainesville home.

Owning a home is still an attainable dream in Gainesville as the median home price is $300,00, a whopping 31% lower than the national average of $428,700.

Map of the Cheapest Places to Live in Florida

Pin Cheapest Places to Live in Florida

Summary of the Cheapest Places to Live in Florida

1. Gainesville
2. Jacksonville
3. Cape Coral
4. Orlando
5. Melbourne
6. Dunedin
7. Kissimmee
8. Edgewater
9. Titusville
10. Ocala
11. Homosassa Springs
12. Bartow
13. Dade City
14. Mount Dora
15. Vero Beach

Helpful Related Links – Cheapest Cities to Live in Florida

Best Places to Live Florida: 15 Best Places to Live in Florida

Cheapest Places to Live Florida: 15 Cheapest Places to Live in Florida

Living in Florida: 20 Honest Pros and Cons of Living in Florida

Living in Miami: 20 Honest Pros & Cons of Living in Miami (Let’s Talk)

Living in Jacksonville: 15 Honest Pros & Cons of Living in Jacksonville

Living in Orlando: 15 Honest Pros & Cons of Living in Orlando, Florida (Local’s Guide)

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