The cost of living is even lower than the Illinois average of 99something nearly unheard of in the Chicago areaand the median home price is a good $157,000 less than that of Chicago. Hi Kristen, if you are looking for a safe place with a high employment rate, Ill highly recommend Jacksonville, Gainesville, or Orlando. Arcadia doesnt just offer low housing rates. Hi moving from Las Vegas to Florida, is Sarasota safe? If you are looking for your dream home in Florida at cheap, look no further and move to Quincy. Hi Maria, my vote is for Brownsville and Gladeview for young adults. The city is situated between 3 major lakes and there are parks all around the water. 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. Port Charlotte, Florida. Florida also did poorly in both polls, but it will almost certainly be an improvement for many over the Prairie State. Florida Estimated cost to build a house: $208,825 Estimated hourly labor cost: $14 A relatively high average structure cost lands Florida among the most expensive places to build. It is located about 45 minutes from Port St. Lucie and 1.5 hours from Orlando. Despite the lack of an income tax, Florida has higher sales and property taxes than some of its peers, and due to Florida law, some newcomers are seeing higher property tax increases than longstanding residents. I am considering moving to Florida from the Oregon Coast, and at 73, its hard to start over when living on a fixed income. Therefore, Lake Wales is one of the most affordable places to live in Florida, that also provides a safe community. Check out Zillow for the latest listings. Still, there are plenty of reasons to consider Fellsmere. Its no more a secret that the fastest growing cities in Florida have grown exceptionally large with time. Median Home Cost = $180,000.00 ( Affordable) Yet another area that helps Jacksonville's overall score is the median home cost here. Arkansas. Unlike many large cities in the US, Jacksonville has maintained its affordability. All the best for your retired life. If you are also considering The Villages, then read ourrecommendations for the best neighborhoods in the area. Living cost in Edgewater is not that expensive. All of these facts make Tavares our top choice as the cheapest place to live in Florida that you would actually want to live in. The safety levels in Haines City are very good, with crime rates 17% below the states average. So, we made sure to only accept cheap places to live in Florida that had a strong sense of community and actually offer things to do, like access to the beach, parks, good restaurants, and shopping areas. 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. It may very well be one of the most affordable places to live in Florida that is truly worth living in. Am looking for all the buttons and whistles on a $3k retirement income w/ copd..love the water but no gaters! Wyoming. (Utility costs in the two states are about equal.) You do your homework for sure. The city of Bartow and the surrounding area are filled with historical buildings and classic architecture. ("Domicile" is a legal . Luckily, 28 states have property tax rates below 1.00%. While they can likely count on warm temperatures in the years ahead, not everyone will find themselves better off financially. Cape Coral is the place. A: Florida is famous for its warm climate, beach resorts, amusement parks and so many other attractions. 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. As per 247wallst.com, the median home value in Plant City is around $154,300, less than the national average. 16 Best Places to Live in Florida Newest 2023 Rankings, 9 Top Beaches in Florida with the Highest Quality Waters & Sand, 8 Best Places to Live on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Contact us at: hello (at) strategistico (dot) com. Vero Beach is about sunshine, a sparkling ocean, a laid-back atmosphere, pristine sand, historical sights, eclectic shops, and cultural marvels. 22: Texas. Above 100 means more expensive.) With a housing index of 69, median rent prices of about $1,000, utility index of 89, grocery index of 91, and transportation index of 90 . A: You can move to Homestead in southern Florida where the cost of living is affordable, but the option is limited. Meanwhile, the city offers many amenities, such as numerous golf courses, a shopping center with a farmers market, a Winn-Dixie, and even a Red Lobster and Chilis. , Im going to move there to start over Im 60 years old where can you tell me is the best place and the cheapest I have to be pet friendly. Haines City is also the biggest city on our list, which offers many things to do and makes it a fun place to live. Where are the cheapest cities to live in Florida? You should have dinner at Shilohs Steak & Seafood, from where you get spectacular views of NASAs Kennedy Space Center. 25 Cheapest Places to Live; . Also, the city draws visitors as it holds a strong position in the entertainment industry. The unemployment rate in Jacksonville is very low. The states with the highest average car insurance include California, Florida, and Louisiana. Also, it is the powerhouse of regional economic high-tech companies and subsidiaries along the Space Coast. What about Citrus county? If you head to the westernmost point on Florida's panhandle, you'll find Pensacola. South Daytona offers a great blend of low cost living and a strong local economy in a community that provides its residents with a safe environment. But Florida doesn't just have the weather, the beaches, and Disney World going for it. If you are in North Florida, you will never run out of options to explore the lovely beaches for a weekend getaway and relax under the sun. Whether youre looking for a permanent place to settle down or, Read More 7 Best Places To Live In Northern FloridaContinue, Florida is known for pristine gorgeous beaches, botanical gardens, and amusement parks. That's a whole other house! Although housing is cheaper in Florida than it is in most other states in America, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research the overall cost of living in Florida is on the high side. Gainesvilleis an ideal destination when youre searching for that affordable big town feel. It is a perfect place for history buffs. High cost of living. Please see our disclaimers to learn more about our site. You can access many Atlantic ocean beaches which are just a short drive away from Edgewater. Our mission is to provide a digital resource with original insights on lifestyle and travel experiences. There are also modern chain stores like Walmart and Winn-Dixie at the edge of town. Many have also been drawn there because it's one of nine states with no state income tax, which could potentially save them thousands of dollars per year. It is a peaceful safe town where you can buy condos at a very reasonable price. Meanwhile, its future is also bright, with job growth expected to increase by 44%, outpacing the national average by 10%. The city is full of many amenities for residents to enjoy, including spectacular beaches, natural wonderlands, museums, and gardens. Pensacola. Vero Beach is considered 28% safer than other US cities. The year-round sunny weather is perfect for people looking to soak up some rays. If you are looking for a charming and relaxing lifestyle at an affordable price, you can settle in Dunedin which is located on the northwest coast of Florida. It also has the lowest average housing costs in the nation at 33.7%. Plant City already has fame in the world for celebrating the Florida Strawberry Festival. What is the best way to find a job in the area you suggest? Massachusetts. In fact, the average price for a house is only $143,000, which is a whopping 46% below the average cost in Florida. With a population of nearly 20,640 and a median home price of $139,500,Bartowhappens to be one of the most affordable places in Florida to live in. According to our data, the average annual rate. Vero Beach is the cheapest place to buy a house in Florida as the median home price is around $341,423, which is 14% lower than the national average. This tech bomb town is wealthy in terms of history, culture, natural enthusiasm, and job facilities. But it alone is not enough to justify a move to Florida at least from a financial perspective. My sister is moving out of Florida for work and when she gives up her lease ($1550 for a 3 bedroom house with a ton of issues that dont get address, and she moved in as first occupant) the next tenant will be charged $2300 a month rent. Residents rave about the strong sense of community that has developed in Lynn Haven, which was especially felt after Hurricane Michael in 2018. Ive seen too many people move to Florida for the warm weather, only to move out because they learned they couldnt handle up to 9 months of a hotter more humid summer. Ive lived all up and down the west coast. The people here are so caring and very passionate about their community. The bigger city offers numerous resorts on the beachfront as well as Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach International Airport, and many other shopping and nightlife options. The median home value here is around $130,500, less than the national average. The cost of living in Dunedin is 8% lower than the national average. Lower Cost of living Winner? Edgewater is one of the bigger cities on our list, but it still retains a small town, seaside community feel. You can go for a road trip to Walt Disney World, the Everglades, and the Keys at the weekend. Explore the downtown area, and go to museums and boutiques. Utah. How can you miss kayaking near Mount Dora? Expect to pay around $2000-2500 per month to live a comfortable life. As per the latest US census, the current population in Melbourne is 87,261. Jacksonville is again lower than the Florida average also, which stands at $237,000. Florida's low initial vehicle costs are. 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. Here is our privacy policy that outlines how we handle your data. You can expect to live here for less than $2000 per month. Home to the University of Florida and Santa Fe College,Gainesville is one of the safest and cheapest places to retire in Florida. These places ensure excellent warm weather, varied outdoor activities, mouth-watering foods, a great place to hang out, job opportunities, good hospitals, schools, and a strongly knitted community feel. 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. The incomes and the cost of living in most states are proportionate to how you perceive your income. The averagehomelisting pricein Gainesville is approximately $200,000, while the median sales price is around $120,000. Kentucky. Its pretty easy to find a suitable job in Jax. The ten states with the lowest property tax rates are: Hawaii, Alabama, Louisiana, Colorado, District of Columbia, Delaware, South Carolina, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Arkansas. Locations are then indexed against this number. It features various job opportunities such as statistician, cement mason, physician assistant, rodbuster, and many more. "Florida is above the national average, but it's not even close to the most expensive place to live," he said. You can grow oranges and grapefruit in your own yard. It has earned a name as Monarch City and the Tree City of the USA. The Jacksonville airport is a large hub with plenty of major airlines. 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. The winter in the Midwest was so cold and depressing and everything dies. Definitely, Cape Coral is one of the least expensive places to live in Florida. It is 13% safer than other US cities recording 26.91 crime rates (per 1,000 residents). While almost everyone loves living in Florida the first few months or years, a very high percentage of people eventually find Florida was a big enough mistake to go through the huge expense and hassle of another long distance move, just to get out. * School ratings vary widely, depending upon the criteria the particular organization uses. Cost of Living in Florida Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. Thanks for the info. It is definitely a good choice. There are plenty of job opportunities in and around the Orlando metro area. Miami housing costs are 36.8% more expensive than Chicago housing costs. The average rent of a 2 bedroom home in Quincy is around $1500. Hi Gary, Its actually not possible to cover the cost of living of each city in a single post. Florida is hotter and more humid than where you moved from, and it doesn't end when summer does. Higher insurance, healthcare, and housing costs mean not everyone will save money. There is a Walmart for all your miscellaneous needs as well as a Publix and Winn-Dixie for your groceries. Population: 21,892 Cost of Living Index: 92 Average Home Price: $207,000 (22% below Florida average) Average Rent Price: $1,005 per month Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents: 16.7 (34% below Florida average) Unemployment Rate: 3.7% 10 Year Job Growth Outlook: +43% Location: See in Google Maps. Situated between Tampa and Miami on Florida's Gulf Coast, Fort Myers is a growing city. These cities are safe and perfect for newcomers. Hi Luann, if you are looking for a cheap and pet-friendly place to live in Florida, I will highly recommend Jacksonville. It also has one massive asset, which is its affordability. Thank you for this list and all the helpful comments. Lower Overall Tax Burden Winner? It has the lowest crime rate out of any city on this list, with a minuscule 6.5 crimes reported per 1,000 residents, which is 3 times lower than Floridas average crime rate. It is a large city and located in Alachua County. If you buy something through one of those links, you wont pay any extra penny, but Ill get a small commission that encourages me to deliver more helpful content for you. This positive outlook is probably linked to South Daytonas good fortune of being directly next to neighboring Daytona Beach. On average, the median income of an individual is $24,436. And the most expensive states are (in order of most expensive to cheaper) . Hi Ashley, Cape Coral and Dunedin both are comparatively safe places than other Florida cities. Reasonable cost of living. You dont need to pay any income tax, estate tax, inheritance tax if you live in Cape Coral which is also good news for retirees who are on a fixed income. Im really happy to help you to find your new affordable home in Fl. The cost of living index in Dade City is 89.4 based on a US average of 100. Illinoiss 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. When it comes to Florida vs California to live, Florida is significantly more affordable than most parts of California. If you're looking for the lowest initial cost, no state can beat Florida. For me, it was always different. Two weeks before you move, visit your local post office (it doesn't have to be in Tampa), complete a change-of-address card or do it online. Illinois $25,000 per person/$50,00 per accident $20,000 per . Here is our in-depth analysis of the 15 pros and cons of living in Florida. One can expect to spend $2000-$2500 monthly to live in Dunedin. It made it to #2 on our list of the cheap places to live in Florida mainly due to its extremely low costs across the board Lake Wales cost of living is 14% lower than average, while houses are only $165,000 and rent is around $750 per month, which is one of the lowest on this list. Housing costs are also reasonable, but only if you can find a house that is available. Based on our research, the cheapest and safest place to live in Florida is Tavares, Florida, where the average home prices are 16% below the Florida average while crime rates are 29% lower than the state average. Cost of Moving from Illinois to Florida The average cost to move from Illinois to Florida with North American is $3,614.35. 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. Once a tobacco manufacturing hub is now a hub of art and culture. Are you looking for a place with a high quality of life as well as an affordable cost of living in Florida? Hi Kat, for a peaceful retired life, Citrus county is no doubt a good place where the overall cost of living is lower than the state and country average(Utilities cost is a little bit high though). Along West Baker Street, go to Parkesdale Farm Market. Overall, with a monthly budget of $2200-$2500, one person can live comfortably in Quincy, Florida. Weve jotted down the best places to live in Northern Florida for you only. If employment is not a consideration for someone who is retired, what towns are most affordable and somewhat rural, or at a slower pace. Along Floridas famous Space Coast sits the greater Titusville which is famous for sunrise views, rocket blasts off and home to sea turtles. Rent in Monmouth is the seventh cheapest statewide, with a median price tag of $580. But there are also some people who regret moving to Florida. Based on housing costs, utilities, and taxes, the average person could live on a budget of $1800-$2,000 a month. Hi Im planning on moving to Fl but needed somewhere with alot of medical options and which is affordable cost of living. But, it is only 20 minutes from the nearest beach. The historic downtown of Vero Beach is vibrant with cafes, restaurants, and shops where you can easily spend time strolling around. You may consider Lake Okeechobee too, but the unemployment rate is high here. If safety is your top priority during your search for cheap places to live in Florida, then consider Lake Alfred. According to Neighborhood Scout, their crime rate is only 12 per 1,000 residents. The Bicycle Festival and Christmas Festival in Mount Dora draw a lot of visitors here. What is the cheapest and safest place to live in Florida? Ill take this info, do other comparable searches including crime rates, COL, average age etc and hope for the best! While they can likely count on warm temperatures in the years ahead, not everyone will find themselves better off. Cape Coral is surprisingly an inexpensive place in Florida where family homes can be found under $2000 per month for rentand a one-bedroom apartment can be rented for $1400 per month (or less). Fear not, whether youre looking for a romantic Florida getaway or planning for a family vacation there is no shortage of fun and free things to do in Miami. It is also home to five museums and well-known attractions like Mims, Oak Hills, Port St. John, and Scottsmoor. Indeed, the lack of an income tax is a major financial perk for Floridians. Florida cost of living is 103.1 100=National Average AVERAGE RENT BY BEDROOM SIZE Excellent information as we are planning to retire to Flordia. Virtually every big city amenity can be found here hospitals, clinics, churches, big box stores like Target, Walmart, The Home Depot, and all your favorite restaurants and fast food joints, making it one of the most affordable cities in Florida that also has access to all of these stores and services. For cheaper options, you may consider Ocala and Lakeland too. 15. Here are. If youre looking for affordable, small-town feel, Edgewater could be the best option for you. 1. The cost of living in Plant City is 94.7 based on a US average of 100. The cheapest place to live in Flordia is Jacksonville. Thanks. Meanwhile, Arcadias central location makes it an attractive city to consider to be close to some of Floridas biggest cities. If youre going to spend all your time indoors, does it matter where you live? This post may contain, Read More 13 Most Insane Abandoned Places In Florida You Have To SeeContinue, The Sunshine State, Florida is famous for its beautiful, pristine beaches.