Florida attracts Americans from all over. And there’s a good reason why: warm weather, $0 state income tax, beautiful beaches, and affordable living. You can’t go wrong with the Sunshine State!
Although property prices have risen in recent years, the average home value in the top 10 cheapest cities is still only around $300,000. Lake City’s cost of living is 14% lower than the national average, and Deltona is 11% more affordable than the rest of the country.
But that’s not all! Retirees can enjoy Sebring’s friendly community and peaceful environment, with homes averaging a nominal $221K. Meanwhile, Gainesville offers a booming job market in education, healthcare, and technology, with median home prices at just $301,692.
Cheapest Places to Live in Florida in 2024
Here’s our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Florida. We’ve considered the average household income, median list price, median house rent, and the population of the cities.
| City | Median Home Value | Median House Rent | Cost of Living Compared to National Average | Median Household Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Lake City | $256,530 | $1,400 | 17% lower ⬇️ | $46,172 | 12,602 |
| 2. Deltona | $311,297 | $1,900 | 5.1% lower ⬇️ | $69,074 | 98,739 |
| 3. Pensacola | $263,605 | $1,799 | 13% lower ⬇️ | $67,722 | 53,724 |
| 4. Panama City | $281,275 | $1,869 | 4.6% lower ⬇️ | $57,221 | 35,660 |
| 5. Lakeland | $322,332 | $1,800 | 8.4% lower ⬇️ | $58,290 | 122,264 |
| 6. Gainesville | $301,692 | $1,600 | 7.8% lower ⬇️ | $43,783 | 145,812 |
| 7. Jacksonville | $297,741 | $1,675 | 5% lower ⬇️ | $64,138 | 985,843 |
| 8. Kissimmee | $381,359 | $2,300 | 2% lower ⬇️ | $45,319 | 81,269 |
| 9. Bartow | $276,488 | $1,825 | 8.4% lower ⬇️ | $60,974 | 20,584 |
| 10. Edgewater | $307,683 | $2,292 | 5.1% lower ⬇️ | $56,886 | 23,636 |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in Florida
Here’s our list of 10 cities that offer affordable living options in the Sunshine State:
#1 Lake City: $256,530
Lake City is one of the cheapest places to live in Florida.
- Median house rent is $1,400 | Rental prices range between $795 and $3,200.
- Median home value of Lake City is $256,530.
- Cost of living in Lake City is 14% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Lake City, FL: 32055 | 32025 | 32024
Lake City is famous as “The Gateway to Florida” due to its strategic location at the intersection of Interstate 75 and Interstate 10. The city also has an unemployment rate of 3.30%. For job seekers, companies like Custom Windows and REX Construction Services are prominent in the construction sector.
» Lake City Homes for Sale: Find your dream home in the cheapest places to live in FL.
#2 Deltona: $311,297
Deltona is one of the most inexpensive places in Florida to live.
- Median house rent is $1,900 | Rental prices range between $600 and $2,995.
- Median home value of Deltona is $311,297.
- Cost of living in Deltona is 11% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Deltona, FL: 32738 | 32725 | 32728
Deltona offers easy access to nearby cities like Orange City, Lake Monroe, and Sanford. The major employers are United Community Bank and Citizens First Financial. Moreover, nature enthusiasts can explore the Green Springs Park and Deltona Lake.
» Deltona Homes for Sale: View property listings in one of the cheapest Florida cities to live.
#3 Pensacola: $263,605
Pensacola is one of the cheapest places to live in Florida.
- Median house rent is $1,799 | Rental prices range between $600 and $5,500.
- Median home value of Pensacola is $263,605.
- Cost of living in Pensacola is 11% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Pensacola, FL: 32507 | 32526 | 32506
Pensacola is known for its affordable housing and rentals. The city’s transportation costs are 10.2% lower than the national average. Renowned hospitality businesses like McGuire’s Irish Pub and the Greater Pensacola Chamber contribute to the city’s economy.
» Pensacola Homes for Sale: Explore thousands of properties in the City of Five Flags.
#4 Panama City: $281,275
Panama City is a popular inexpensive city to live in Florida.
- Median house rent is $1,869 | Rental prices range between $499 and $3,600.
- Median home value of Panama City is $281,275.
- Cost of living in Panama City is 8% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Panama City, FL: 32408 | 32413 | 32407
Panama City is majorly one of the affordable cities to live in Florida with high-quality health care. Even without health insurance, the cost of a routine visit to the doctor is just $2. Also, Eastern Shipbuilding Group and Peoples First Properties, Inc. are the top companies in the city.
» Panama City Homes for Sale: View homes in one of the cheapest cities to live in Florida.
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#5 Lakeland: $322,332
Lakeland is an affordable city to live in Florida.
- Median house rent is $1,800 | Rental prices range between $500 and $57,780.
- Median home value of Lakeland is $322,332.
- Cost of living in Lakeland is 8% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Lakeland, FL: 33810 | 33813 | 33803
Lakeland offers affordable food, health, housing, and transportation facilities. Moreover, the city has a rich history, with landmarks such as Hollis Garden and the Polk Theatre. Apart from this, Publix and Watson Clinic LLP are the top employers in the city.
» Lakeland Homes for Sale: Browse through thousands of properties in the Swan City.
#6 Gainesville: $301,692
Gainesville is an affordable city to live in Florida.
- Median house rent is $1,600 | Rental prices range between $400 and $6,998.
- Median home value of Gainesville is $301,692.
- Cost of living in Gainesville is 7.8% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Gainesville, FL: 32608 | 32607 | 32605
Gainesville, a vibrant college town centered around the prestigious University of Florida, offers a comfortable lifestyle. With an average household income of $66,377, residents can enjoy a good quality life. Medical and insurance sectors, such as Exactech and Tower Hill Insurance, fuel the city’s strong economy.
» Gainesville Homes for sale: Find a home in one of the cheapest places to live in the Sunshine State.
#7 Jacksonville: $297,741
Jacksonville is a cheap city to live in FL.
- Median house rent is $1,675 | Rental prices range between $125 and $25,000.
- Median home value of Jacksonville is $297,741.
- Cost of living in Jacksonville is 3% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Jacksonville, FL: 32218 | 32256 | 32210
Jacksonville is Florida’s fastest-growing city. It offers residents a low cost of living and a subtropical climate with mild winters and warm summers. Additionally, The city’s thriving economy is uplifted by major employers such as Availity and Southeastern Grocers.
» Jacksonville Homes for Sale: Get yourself a home in the Gateway to Florida.
#8 Kissimmee: $381,359
Kissimmee is one of the most inexpensive cities to live in FL.
- Median house rent is $2,300 | Rental prices range between $125 and $25,000.
- Median home value of Kissimmee is $381,359.
- Cost of living in Kissimmee is 1.9% cheaper than the Florida average.
- 3 popular zips in Kissimmee, FL: 34746 | 34747 | 34744
Once known as “Kowtown,” the city offers affordable housing costs 11.1% below the national average. Top employers like Jr. Davis Construction and MasterBase make it a great place for young adults seeking ample job opportunities.
» Kissimmee Homes for Sale: Find an affordable place to live in Florida.
#9 Bartow: $276,488
Bartow is one of the affordable places in FL.
- Median house rent is $1,825 | Rental prices range between $900 and $2,800.
- Median home value of Bartow is $276,488.
- Cost of living in Bartow is 8.4% cheaper than the national average.
- 1 popular zip in Bartow, FL: 33830
Bartow, is conveniently located near major cities like Orlando and Tampa. Its transportation costs are 15% lower than the national average. Bartow Ford Co and PalletOne are among the city’s leading employers, contributing to its robust economy.
» Bartow Homes for Sale: Explore homes in this inexpensive place to live in Florida.
#10 Edgewater: $307,683
Edgewater is one of the least expensive cities to live in Florida.
- Median house rent is $2,292 | Rental prices range between $1,300 and $8,500.
- Median home value of Edgewater is $307,683.
- Cost of living in Edgewater is 3% cheaper than the national average.
- 2 popular zips in Edgewater, FL: 32141 | 32132
Originally known as “Hawks Park,” Edgewater offers affordable housing, which is 19.4% lower than the US average. Utilities, groceries, and transportation costs are also relatively lower than the US average. Coupled with this, the Riverwalk along scenic Riverside Drive is a famous spot for walkers, bicyclists, and nature lovers.
» Edgewater Homes for Sale: Find your dream home online.
So, Where Is the Cheapest Place to Live in Florida?
If you want to move to Florida, you will find cheap homes in cities like Lake City, Deltona, and Pensacola. They offer stable job opportunities, and the cost of living is more affordable than other Florida cities.
Cities like Gainesville and Jacksonville are slightly expensive but provide better job opportunities. You must research the home prices and living costs. Also, getting a mortgage pre-approval helps you stand out in the competition before buying a house in Florida.
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Research Methodology for Cheapest Places to Live in Florida
To rank the top cities in Florida, we analyzed the northern, central, and southern regions, evaluating them based on specific criteria. Below is a breakdown of the factors used and the sources of information that informed our rankings.
- Population: World Population Review [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow [2]
- Median Rent: Zillow [3]
- Cost of Living: Rent Cafe [4]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the least expensive 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, Orlando, Naples, Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Is Florida the cheapest place to live in?
No, it is not. The median home value is $394,728. 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.
Which Florida city has the lowest cost of living?
Lake City has the lowest cost of living, which is 14% and 20% lower than the national and state average, respectively.
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