With its miles of beautiful beaches, year-round warm climate, and abundant sunshine, there are numerous reasons that make Florida an inviting place to live. From Orlando’s theme parks to the Everglades National Park, bustling cities, and charming beach towns in Florida, there’s something for anyone residing in the state. So, if Florida sounds like the state for you, then you may also be curious about what cities fit into your budget. As of August, the median home sale price in Florida is $408,200 and the average sale price per square foot is $234.
If that number is out of your budget, don’t worry, we’ve got options to help you find a home. Redfin has compiled a list of the 15 most affordable places to live in Florida. Read on to see what cities you may want to consider moving to this year.
#1: Ocala
Median home price: $274,900
Average sale price per square foot: $160
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,163
Median household income: $46,841
Nearest major metro: Gainesville (40 miles)
Ocala, FL homes for sale
Ocala, FL apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $274,900, Ocala comes in at number one on our list of most affordable places to live in Florida. About 40 miles away from Gainesville, the nearest major metro, Ocala is home to roughly 63,600 residents. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to visit one of the parks like Tuscawilla Park or Jervey Gantt Park, explore downtown historic Ocala where you’ll find shops and restaurants, or check out Petting Zoo Ocala.
#2: Gainesville
Median home price: $282,000
Average sale price per square foot: $194
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,241
Median household income: $40,937
Gainesville, FL homes for sale
Gainesville, FL apartments for rent
Florida’s second most affordable city to live in is Gainesville. When living in this city of 141,100 people, you can visit the University of Florida campus and take a walk through Gainesville’s Historic District. For some time spent outside you can also explore the Butterfly Rainforest and Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.
#3: Pine Hills
Median home price: $300,000
Average sale price per square foot: $202
Median household income: $46,199
Nearest major metro: Orlando (6 miles)
Pine Hills, FL homes for sale
Pine Hills, FL apartments for rent
About 66,100 people reside in Pine Hills. The median home sale price is $300,000 which is about $110K less than the median home sale price in Florida. If you find yourself moving here, make sure to check out Barnett Park along the shores of Lawne Lake, or take a drive into Orlando for the day.
#4: Daytona Beach
Median home price: $300,000
Average sale price per square foot: $209
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,607
Median household income: $40,937
Daytona Beach, FL homes for sale
Daytona Beach, FL apartments for rent
Fourth on our list is the city of Daytona Beach. About 72,600 people live in Daytona Beach, where there are plenty of unique activities to do. Be sure to spend the day outside at the World’s Most Famous Beach, or explore the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and surrounding areas where you’ll find lots of shops, local restaurants, and beach views. And mark your calendars each February to watch the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
#5: Poinciana
Median home price: $306,990
Average sale price per square foot: $183
Median household income: $40,937
Nearest major metro: Orlando (30 miles)
Poinciana, FL homes for sale
Poinciana, FL apartments for rent
Another great affordable city to consider moving to is Poinciana. Home to 69,300 residents, this affordable town can be a great option to add to your list. Living in Poinciana, you can hike along the trails at The Nature Conservancy’s Disney Wilderness Preserve.
#6: Port Charlotte
Median home price: $315,000
Average sale price per square foot: $216
Median household income: $54,956
Nearest major metro: Fort Myers (25 miles)
Port Charlotte, FL homes for sale
Port Charlotte, FL apartments for rent
Another noteworthy city is Port Charlotte, where the median home sale price is about $95K less than the state’s average. With roughly 60,600 people calling Port Charlotte home, it’s a great area to consider living in this year. Make sure to spend the afternoon at Port Charlotte Beach Park and explore Sunrise Park. No matter what neighborhood you move to in Port Charlotte, you’ll never tire of exploring this city.
#7: Deltona
Median home price: $319,000
Average sale price per square foot: $204
Median household income: $62,768
Nearest major metro: Orlando (25 miles)
Deltona, FL homes for sale
Deltona, FL apartments for rent
Next on our list of affordable places to live in Florida is Deltona. With a population of roughly 93,700, Deltona is a great area to live in that’s not nearly as big as the major metropolitan cities in Florida. Don’t miss out on checking out Lyonia Preserve and spending the day at Lake Monroe once living in this city.
#8: Lakeland
Median home price: $323,050
Average sale price per square foot: $197
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,161
Median household income: $52,972
Nearest major metro: Tampa (30 miles)
Lakeland, FL homes for sale
Lakeland, FL apartments for rent
If you’ve been living in Florida for some time, you may know of Lakeland. Located about 30 miles east of Tampa, there are roughly 112,600 people living in Lakeland. Be sure to visit museums like the Florida Air Museum or the Florida Children’s Museum, spend the afternoon at Lake Parker, or check out Hollis Garden located by Lake Mirror once in Lakeland.
#9: Spring Hill
Median home price: $325,000
Average sale price per square foot: $182
Median household income: $55,573
Nearest major metro: Tampa (40 miles)
Spring Hill, FL homes for sale
Spring Hill, FL apartments for rent
Another great place to consider moving to in Florida is Spring Hill where the population is about 113,600. Attractions in Spring Hill include visiting Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.
#10: Melbourne
Median home price: $334,400
Average sale price per square foot: $219
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,850
Median household income: $55,543
Nearest major metro: Palm Bay (10 miles)
Melbourne, FL homes for sale
Melbourne, FL apartments for rent
Next up on our list is Melbourne. This city has a population of 84,700 and you can explore the shops, restaurants, and sites in downtown Melbourne, check out Wickham Park where you can camp, explore, and spend time by the lake, or take in the views at Kiwanis Park at Geiger Point. There’s always something to check out while living in Melbourne.
#11: Palm Bay
Median home price: $345,250
Average sale price per square foot: $195
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,445
Median household income: $55,963
Nearest major metro: Melbourne (10 miles)
Palm Bay, FL homes for sale
Palm Bay, FL apartments for rent
The median home sale price in Palm Bay is $345,250, making it another great city to consider moving to this year. You’ll find there are about 119,800 residents in the Palm Bay area so you’ll have a city-like feel without the big-city prices. If Palm Bay is the city for you, be sure to explore the 130-acre Turkey Creek Sanctuary, spend the afternoon at Castaway Point Park where you can fish, kayak, or have a picnic, and enjoy a meal along the riverfront.
#12: Kissimmee
Median home price: $345,000
Average sale price per square foot: $210
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,644
Median household income: $41,746
Nearest major metro: Orlando (20 miles)
Kissimmee, FL homes for sale
Kissimmee, FL apartments for rent
In the 12th spot is the city of Kissimmee where the median home sale price is $345,000. If you move to Kissimmee it’s important to know that the nearest major metro is Orlando which is located about 20 miles north. There is plenty to do in Kissimmee like strolling along the walking paths at Kissimmee Lakefront Park, exploring the downtown Kissimmee area, and visiting the Monument of States.
#13: Lehigh Acres
Median home price: $345,250
Average sale price per square foot: $209
Median household income: $52,894
Nearest major metro: Fort Myers (17 miles)
Lehigh Acres, FL homes for sale
Lehigh Acres, FL apartments for rent
The city of Lehigh Acres is another awesome affordable city to consider residing in. With a median home sale price of $345,250 and a population of 114,300 there are plenty of reasons that might convince you to move to Lehigh Acres. You’ll find lots of activities to do as well, such as checking out one of the parks like Lehigh Acres Trailhead Park.
#14: Port Orange
Median home price: $350,000
Average sale price per square foot: $212
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,250
Median household income: $58,530
Nearest major metro: Daytona Beach (6 miles)
Port Orange, FL homes for sale
Port Orange, FL apartments for rent
In the 14th spot on our list is Port Orange, where the city’s population is around 62,600. In Port Orange, there is plenty to do on a sunny afternoon or weekend. For example, you can walk along the Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Trail, golf at one of the courses, or have a meal at one of the riverfront spots.
#15: Palm Coast
Median home price: $360,950
Average sale price per square foot: $197
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,594
Median household income: $61,847
Nearest major metro: Jacksonville (65 miles)
Palm Coast, FL homes for sale
Palm Coast, FL apartments for rent
Taking the 15th and final spot on our list of most affordable places to live in Florida is Palm Coast. The median home sale price in Palm Coast is $360,950, and there are about 89,300 residents in the area. If you’re looking for something to do while living in Palm Coast, make sure to explore the Pellicer Creek Corridor Conservation River where you’ll find nature views, places to fish, hike, and camp, check out the Florida Agricultural Museum, and visit the riverside Waterfront Park.
Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price and average sale price per square foot under the average median home sale price and average sale price per square foot in Florida. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during August 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com August 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.