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February 2, 2023The Most Affordable Places to Live In Florida
The most affordable places in Florida might have a higher crime rate than you expect. Compare the cheapest and safest places to live in Florida in this article.
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Table of Content
Best places to live in Florida 2022
5 Most Affordable Places to Live in Florida
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Florida a good place to live?
What is the cheapest and nicest place to live in Florida?
What is the cheapest and safest place to live in Florida?
What city in Florida has the lowest cost of living?
What county in Florida has the lowest cost of living?
Where should I not live in Florida?
Where should I move to in Florida?
What’s bad about living in Florida?
Where can I move to start over?
How can I move to Florida with little money?
📝 Editor’s Note
From snowbirds to retirees, families and working professionals, Florida has attracted many to the Sunshine State. However, while thousands are relocating every month, many are moving out once they realize it wasn’t everything they dreamed of. Even with a reasonable average cost of living in Florida, you need to weigh the pros and cons before making a move based solely on affordability and sunshine. After all, there are many states throughout the country that maintain a lower cost of living too!
Best places to live in florida 2022
Bankrate reported on the top 6 places to live in Florida based on affordability, safety, job market potential, educational attainment and culture in early 2021 based on data from 25 of the biggest cites in Florida.
Tampa
Tampa scored an 8 out of 10 on the affordability scale with its attraction to newcomers due to low housing costs paired with low crime rates. While this could be one of the best places to live in florida for families, the cultural scene doesn’t have the same thriving bustle that southern cities in Florida boast. However in terms of job growth and land development, Tampa has other top rated cities beat.
Jacksonville
Jacksonville scored an 8 out of 10 on the affordability scale, but it’s biggest downside was it’s safety – the crime rates are 7 times higher than the US average. However, they do have a thriving job market with an unemployment rate of just 5%. Living here promotes a lifestyle surrounded by nature, with 80,000 acres of marshes, woods and wetlands. With a great culture and outstanding restaurants, Jacksonville is highly rated for affordability and lifestyle.
Cape Coral
Cape Coral scores a 7 out of 10 on affordability with a high score for its safety reputation. However when it comes to education attainment and culture, it does rate on the lower end with a slower pace of life. About 20% of the population is solely seniors! This can be the best place in florida to retire on a budget.
Orlando
Before the pandemic, Orlando was a great place to relocate in Florida with its fantastic job market due to the tourism. However, when that slowed down and inevitable layoffs occurred, it quickly gained a higher than average unemployment rate. On the affordability level, it still scores a 7 out of 10.
Miami
From spectacular restaurants to captivating entertainment, the Miami culture is easily a 10/10. However, on the affordability side, it scores a 6 out of 10. For any properties close to the water, expect to pay an excessive amount. With tourism as one of its primary sources of employment, the downside is that during the pandemic, unemployment is soaring.
Gainsville
Gainsville is known as one of the younger populated cities on the list, with the 65+ population only at 10%. While it scores a 7 out of 10 for affordability, the job market is the best out there. The unemployment rate settles in at only 4.3%. However, the downside is that the middle of the state city isn’t near any beautiful beaches. However, it is close to seven state parks!
5 Most Affordable Places to Live in Florida
While ignoring crime rate, job opportunities and culture, these are strictly the most affordable places in Florida to live with a lower cost of living.
- Bartow, Florida: 16% lower than the national average for cost of living
- Homosassa Springs, Florida: 15% lower than the national average for cost of living.
- Dade City, Florida: 13% lower than the national average for cost of living
- Palm Bay, Florida: 11% lower than the national average for cost of living.
- Kissimmee, Florida: 10% lower than the national average for cost of living
- New Port Richey, Florida: 8% lower than the national average for cost of living
- Jacksonville, Florida: 7% lower than the national average for cost of living.
- Palm Coast, Florida: 4% lower than the national average for cost of living.
- Saint Petersburg, Florida: 1% lower than the national average for cost of living.
- Cape Coral, Florida: 4% above the national average for cost of living.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Florida a good place to live?
If you’ve ever vacationed in Florida, it may seem like the best place to buy a house and enjoy the warm weather in palm coast florida. With the cost of living in miami attainable for many and affordable places to live in south florida attracting sunshine-seekers, you should be aware of the pros and cons in case the negatives outweigh the advantages living in Florida will bring to your lifestyle.
Pros
- There is no state income tax, only federal taxes.
- There is an abundance of state parks, beautiful beaches and attractions to enjoy. Florida residents typically get a discount at most major parks!
- It’s hot and sunny most of the time, making it the perfect destination for those who love the outdoors. If you like tennis and golf, you’ll fit right in here.
Cons
- Even with the cost of living in florida being low in many places, it isn’t everywhere. Beware of the touristy areas, especially when it comes to the cost of living in orlando.
- The topography is quite dull – mostly flat everywhere you go. This means driving can be mundane for many. If you enjoy the mountain views, Florida may not be for you.
- From roaches to alligators and many pests in between, even the best places to live in florida see their fair share of unwanted critters around their neighborhood.
What is the cheapest and nicest place to live in Florida?
The cheapest places to live on the water in florida and best towns in florida to live are more subjective to what a homebuyer may be searching for. Are you looking to settle down while your family grows? Have a fantastic career and indulge in the nightlife? When it comes to affordability, safety, the job market, educational standards and culture, these are the cheapest and best cities to live in florida:
- Tampa, Florida
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Cape Coral, Florida
- Orlando, Florida
- Miami, Florida
- Gainesville, Florida
What is the cheapest and safest place to live in Florida?
Although Jacksonville may technically be the cheapest place to live in florida, it is far from one of the best places to raise a family in florida due to its high crime rate. According to Neighborhood Scout, the crime rate is 40 per one thousand residents. The cheapest city to live in florida, and safest, is Cape Coral. It has a low crime rate and a population of roughly 183,942. According to Neighborhood Scout, their crime rate is only 12 per 1,000 residents. Based on housing costs, utilities, and taxes, the average person could live on a budget of $1800-$2,000 a month.
What city in Florida has the lowest cost of living?
If you’re searching for the most affordable places to live in florida 2022, Jacksonville may be your best choice. Their cost of living is reportedly 7% lower than the US average, with the cheapest rent in florida 2022 as well as home purchase price.
What county in Florida has the lowest cost of living?
One of the cheapest places to stay in florida and rent is Layfayette County in Florida. With a small population of only 8,637, the average median rent price is $532, with homeownership attainable with median home prices at $104,700. However, just because the florida cost of living is lower doesn’t guarantee you’ll prosper here. While it may boast some of the cheapest houses for rent in florida, the job market does not thrive as much as other Florida cities. Keep this in mind if you expect to move here and find the perfect job that pays well to accommodate the cheap houses in florida advantage.
Where should I not live in Florida?
According to the FBI, there is a list of 10 dangerous cities that you should avoid when considering where to live in florida. As of 2021, Florida actually ended up at #17 when ranking with the most dangerous states in the country. If you’re looking for the best buy Florida city might have, you may want to rethink your moving strategy. It was reported to have a violent crime quota of 2,619 per 100k people, which in comparison is seven times higher than the national average of 366. Yikes! Here are the top 10 dangerous cities with houses for sale Florida:
- Florida City, Florida
- Lake City, Florida
- Opa Locka, Florida
- Lake Park, Florida
- Panama City Beach, Florida
- Miami Beach, Florida
- Perry, Florida
- Daytona Beach, Florida
- Cocoa, Florida
- Riviera Beach, Florida
Where should I move to in Florida?
With retirees and families looking to move to the Sunshine State, where you consider the best places to live in Florida may differ depending on what you’re looking for. In terms of the most affordable place to live in Florida, here are our top 10 based on nice places to live in Florida that are both safe and affordable.
- Tavares, Florida
- Lake Wales, Florida
- Lady Lake, Florida
- South Daytona, Florida
- Lake Alfred, Florida
- Arcadia, Florida
- Milton, Florida
- Haines City, Florida
- Fellsmere, Florida
- Edgewater, Florida
What’s bad about living in Florida?
Good places to live in Florida still come with their disadvantages. Some of the cons of even the nicest places in Florida are:
- The heat and humidity can be overbearing. The weather is unpredictable, with thunderstorms brewing in an instant. Hurricanes are something to be wary of in many places to live in florida.
- Florida is mainly flat, so don’t expect to see any beautiful mountains, hills or valleys in this Sunshine State.
- Florida is the #1 tourist destination in the USA. This means that there is often overcrowding in affordable apartments orlando has, the shops, restaurants, and more.
- The bugs are worse in population and even larger too. With affordable houses in florida come the alligators, snakes, spiders, scorpions, fruit flies and pesky mosquitos.
Where can I move to start over?
When it comes to the best places to buy a home to start over, one of Florida’s cities made Livability’s Top 10 list. Ranking on great weather, affordability and quality education, Tallahassee earned a spot at number 10.
How can I move to Florida with little money?
If you’re looking for places to rent in Florida with little money, Layfayette County in Florida may be your best bet. Rated highly for its public schools, housing, and quality of life for families, it is a great choice, with the average monthly rent at just over $500 per month. It’s also one of the best areas to live in florida if you’re looking to buy a house. With the national average settling in at $217,500, the median home value in Layfayette is only $104,700.
Starting your search for Florida affordable housing is the first step in relocating to the Sunshine State. Once you’ve settled on the best place in Florida to live, you can streamline your offer process using Richr and even get 2% cashback on the purchase price to help with your moving costs.
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