According to our data, the average annual rate. This put education in the state above the national average. The Magic City of Florida offers families the chance to have an amazing time without spending a single penny. Weve jotted down the best places to live in Northern Florida for you only. Arkansas. I am considering moving to Florida from the Oregon Coast, and at 73, its hard to start over when living on a fixed income. Its no more a secret that the fastest growing cities in Florida have grown exceptionally large with time. Rent in Monmouth is the seventh cheapest statewide, with a median price tag of $580. It has not been verified or approved by the developer or association. However, the housing cost in Mount Dora is around $242,900 which is greater than the national median home value. In the center of town, you can find a Publix at the Lynn Haven Shopping Center, which is also across from a Walmart. Thank you for this list and all the helpful comments. The cost of living is somewhat lower over-all; at least when I lived there it was. The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. Florida cost of living is 102.8. 20 years ago Google.com was just registered and no one used it, and no one ever heard the term global warming yet. Looking for the cheapest housing in Florida? Lower Overall Tax Burden Winner? If everything were equal, such as you would earn the same income in Florida as Illinois, it would be hard to argue against moving to Florida from Illinois. There are so many activities in the Sunshine State to perform that you never heard about it. Orlando offers all these things and surprisingly thisCentral Floridaparadise offers low-cost living. Very informative! Health care services may be higher than the national indexes, but overall Quincy is a cheap Florida city to live in. Population: 23,400 Cost of Living Index: 85 Average Home Price: $204,000 (23% below Florida average) Average Rent Price: $804 per month Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents: 20.9 (17% below Florida average) Unemployment Rate: 4.1% 10 Year Job Growth Outlook: +44% Location: See in Google Maps. It is 13% safer than other US cities recording 26.91 crime rates (per 1,000 residents). Lol. Also, it is 11% safer than other US cities. You must visit Ichetucknee Springs State Park during the summer months and enjoy the cool activities in this popular Florida springs to beat the heat. Both have lots of job opportunities. Overall Score 6.0 Overall Score. The cost of living index in Mount Dora is 100.4 based on a US average of 100. If employment is not a consideration for someone who is retired, what towns are most affordable and somewhat rural, or at a slower pace. Check outZillowfor the latest offers. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. Hey Donna. Furthermore, you can buy a house whose median value is around $155,300, less than the national median home value of $204,900. IDK why everyone is asking you about affordable places to live when this is literally a list of affordable places to live! Then youve just come to the right place. For a 1-2 bedroom. "Florida is above the national average, but it's not even close to the most expensive place to live," he said. That's a whole other house! READ ALSO: 10 Best Anti-Theft Travel Backpacks: Buying Guide. But, it is only 20 minutes from the nearest beach. There are also lots of affordable condos in Dunedin to rent. Thanks. A comfortable retirement in Iowa will cost an estimated $1,024,201, less than in most states and below the national average of $1,134,687. Population: 5,207 Cost of Living Index: 93 Average Home Price: $212,000 (20% below Florida average) Average Rent Price: $895 per month Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents: 20.8 (18% below Florida average) Unemployment Rate: 4.5% 10 Year Job Growth Outlook: +42% Location: See in Google Maps. On the east coast of Florida City sits the most vibrant city called Melbourne, famous for the beach and outdoor adventures. The city of Bartow and the surrounding area are filled with historical buildings and classic architecture. The city boasts several theme parks, concerts, farmers markets, and adventure activities. The cost of construction labor is cheaper in Arizona than in a majority of states. Top employers in the area include the University of Florida and UF Health, followed by the Alachua County School Board and Shands HealthCare and North Florida Regional Medical Center. . Hi Chrissy, we update the article(including the data) frequently as required. When it comes to Florida vs California to live, Florida is significantly more affordable than most parts of California. Thank you Melissa for your appreciation. Set up your evening plans at Cocoa Beach Pier having fine seafood and enjoying the view. Enjoy the vibe of Rock Creek Run and Wekiva River. Lady Lake is located in central Florida adjacent to The Villages, the immensely popular and ever-growing 55+ retirement community. Based on our cost-of-living assessment, Hawaii is the most expensive state at 181.79 while Mississippi is the least expensive at 85.71. Pensacola , cheap , mellow , low crime and Navy federal hired me at age 68 if youre interestedsted in employment. A large and robust economy. The winter in the Midwest was so cold and depressing and everything dies. The cheapest place to live in Flordia is Jacksonville. You should act now if you want to join this growing community there are newneighborhoods being built with houses for sale that start around $160,000(at the time of this publication), but they are going fast. In December, the place feels so magical, the lights of Hope, and Christmas trees look so beautiful. Hello, when this article was written? In 2019, New York and Georgia saw the most residents move to Florida. To apply for section 8 housing, you have to contact a nearby PHA(Public Housing Agency) office in your city. A single adult expense in Vero Beach is around $33,640 annually. If itll cost you $50,000 to move to Florida (selling a home + long distance move + buying another home) and you only save $2500 a year, it would take you 20 years to break even. There are numerous parks, lakes, and golf courses across the city along with a terrific range of restaurants that serve a wide range of international cuisines. If you're looking for the lowest initial cost, no state can beat Florida. The median home price is around $225,000. The incomes and the cost of living in most states are proportionate to how you perceive your income. 2 spot with 10 cities out of 100 cheapest rents in the nation. Thats according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (July 2019). In a Gallup poll way back in 2013 on how residents liked their state, Illinois again took the 49th spot. Of course, there is a great normal life here, too. But, each major city in Florida is a bit different. In 2022, five of the 20 most competitive US rental markets were in Florida, per RentCafe, with Miami-Dade county and Orlando at number one and three respectively. This change in cost is called the IRMAA (Income-related Monthly Adjustment Amount). In fact, the average price for a house is only $143,000, which is a whopping 46% below the average cost in Florida. The small town is an hours drive northeast of Tampa sitting in the hills of NE Pasco County. There is also easy access to big stores and supermarkets in Lynn Haven. Where would you suggest for the safest beach areas that a 2 bedroom water-front home (no condo) could be purchased for $250,000? 4) Which state has more jobs or lower unemployment Illinois or Florida, Illinois has an unemployment rate of just 4.2%, which would normally be a very respectable rate. Check out Zillow for the latest listings. Employment Find out whether you are required to pay a Medicare IRMAA in 2022. BudgetTravelBuff.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Utah. A: You can move to Homestead in southern Florida where the cost of living is affordable, but the option is limited. You can consider Edgewater if you want to live near the beach. While they can likely count on warm temperatures in the years ahead, not everyone will find themselves better off financially. Theres also the Arcadia Antiques Fair that is held on the 4th Sunday of every month. In 2016, Florida was awarded as the fourth fastest-growing state in the United State of America. There were even a handful of housing options under $150,000 at the time this article was published, so start searching today if you are interested in one of the mostinexpensive places to live in Florida. Both states have more than most, but Florida wins this match-up. Orlando attracts more than 51 million visitors each year. Per the Census Bureau, the median household income in Florida was roughly $62,000 in 2021, below the median US household income of roughly $71,000. If you do get a chance to rent or buy a place, then you will enjoy a quiet and cozy city situated right on a group of lakes. Who doesnt like to live in a city with a casual, laid-back atmosphere with amazing attractions, spectacular scenery, and a plethora of job opportunities? Orlando is also known as the Theme Park Capital of the World. Where are the cheapest cities to live in Florida? The city features several family-friendly attractions including public parks, lakes, scenic walking trails. Because of its less population(7,972) and small size, Quincy is very affordable to live without breaking your bank. 5. Orlando is also less than an hour away by car. Speaking of affordability, the cost of living in Timber Pines is about 7% cheaper than the rest of Florida, with home prices 20% lower than the rest of the state. In many parts of Florida, you can buy a new home for a relatively cheap price. Here is our in-depth analysis of the 15 pros and cons of living in Florida. Population: 12,734 Cost of Living Index: 88 Average Home Price: $169,500 (36% below Florida average) Average Rent Price: $833 per month Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents: 18.3 (27% below Florida average) Unemployment Rate: 3.7% 10 Year Job Growth Outlook: +43% Location: See in Google Maps. 6) Which state has better overall school ratings Illinois or Florida. Titusville is a small town in Brevard with good breweries, quaint shops, pizza places and hanging out places. New York. Seriously, move here before everyone else does. Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty Images. If you are looking for the lowest home prices in a safe community in Florida, then check out Arcadia. Cities like Chapel Hill, Charlotte and Greensboro made the list. Visit an extraordinary vintage antique store on Main Street. The minimum wage of $7.25 per hour leaves families at the poverty threshold. You may consider Lake Okeechobee too, but the unemployment rate is high here. There is no shortage of natural trails, state parks, and museums. Depending on the source, it's between $173.000 and $180,000, compared to the national average of just over $231,000. 25 Cheapest Places to Live; . Florida by a wide margin. I moved to SW Florida in 1994. For me, it was always different. Not only is Texas 8% cheaper than Florida overall, but housing, utilities and groceries all cost significantly less in the Lone Star State. It sits along the Atlantic coast in Indian River County giving locals easy access to other coastal towns and national parks. Illinois's overall crime rate (property and violent crime combined) places the state just inside the bottom 25 states with the highest rates, according to FBI reporting. Based on housing costs, utilities, and taxes, the average person could live on a budget of $1800-$2,000 a month. Finally, we took a weighted average of each of the below category to create our final score and ranking: Please note that some links below are affiliate links, which means that we receive a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, but at no extra cost to you. I currently pay $1850 for 3 bedroom apartment but have lived in my place for 3 years and its about to go up another $200 this Aug 22. Crime is also quite low, with less than 20 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is almost a quarter lower than the Florida average. As of October, the cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the state had increased 36% since the start of the pandemic, per Apartment List, with only New Mexico and Idaho seeing a higher uptick. A: Orlando is the best city for students who are looking to move to Florida. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. I was looking at the Pensacola nicevillie, chrestview area. Here you can enjoy a more suburban life with a simple standard of living. Click through to see the cost of renting versus owning a home in your state. But, fear not, as many big stores are available in neighboring Winter Haven just 10 minutes away. Jacksonville is one of the cheapest places to visit in Florida. drivers in no-fault states such as Michigan and Florida often pay more for insurance than do drivers in other areas of the country. Hence, if you are in search of the cheapest rent in Florida, Titusville is a good search. Edgewater also has one of the lowest crime rates on our list of the cheapest and safest places to live in Florida, making it an affordable, yet safe place for everyone. The quality of education can vary from school to school even within the same district in the same state. An amount below 100 means Florida is cheaper than the US average. Location-wise, it is only a 10 minute drive away from Panama City and only 20 minutes from Panama City Beach. It also has one massive asset, which is its affordability. The cost of living in Orlando, FL is -13.7% lower than in Chicago, IL.You would have to earn a salary of $51,755 to maintain your current standard of living. You rely on employment income and you would earn far less in Florida than Illinois doing the same job, or you cant find that type of work in Florida and have to settle for something that pays far less. 15. What is the cheapest and safest place to live in Florida? The plan also has a high deductible of $5,000, and even after the deductible is met, the policyholder can expect a $200 copay for urgent or emergency care visits. Thank you John. Where is the best area for lower cost housing? Speaking of affordability, the cost of living in Timber Pines is about 7% cheaper than the rest of Florida, with home prices 20% lower than the rest of the state. This is another worst reason not to live in Florida if you are aware of the sinkhole. You can find cheaper options on the outskirts of Orlando. The total cost of car ownership, which includes gas prices and repair costs, is slightly above the national average. The average American household spends $2,690 on property taxes for their homes each year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and residents of the 26 states with vehicle property taxes shell out another $444. READ ALSO: 15 Most Affordable Hiking Boots: Buying Guide. The average home cost in Bartow is under $275,000. There is also a thriving downtown on the waterfront that offers countless bars, restaurants, and boutiques. Florida also did poorly in both polls, but it will almost certainly be an improvement for many over the Prairie State. recommendations for the best neighborhoods in the area, The 16 Best Places to Live in Florida for 2022, Here are the 12 Cheapest Beach Towns in California, California vs Florida - Our Full Comparison, 8 Fastest Growing Small Towns in Texas in 2023 Charming & Desirable, Is Sedona a Good Place to Live? It is not far from either Coast, and there is decent shopping in the next towns, not so far from Fort Meade. Population: 16,199 Cost of Living Index: 86 Average Home Price: $223,000 (16% below Florida average) Average Rent Price: $907 per month Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents: 17.8 (29% below Florida average) Unemployment Rate: 3.4% 10 Year Job Growth Outlook: +51% Location: See in Google Maps. We are moving to Florida for the winter months only. Illinois ranks in the bottom half of states that have fewer sunny days and or higher humidity according to data derived from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Youre welcome, Laura. There is no shortage of free attractions in Orlando. It all depends on where you work, which city you live in, and how much risk you're willing to take when it comes to homeownership, insurance, and healthcare. Fort Meade is a small city in Polk County, located around 50 miles east of Tampa. Well, there is a small historic downtown with over 25 specialty shops, boutiques, and restaurants. A: Florida is famous for its warm climate, beach resorts, amusement parks and so many other attractions.