Why is Florida so cheap living? Hi Ashley, Cape Coral and Dunedin both are comparatively safe places than other Florida cities. If moving to Florida with school age children, thorough research on education is strongly recommended. Florida's climate means that it can be victim to some crazy tropical storms. 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. Additionally, it retains a small town charm that is perfect for young families. Overall Score 6.0 Overall Score. 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. Most retirees live on a fixed income and the data shows that money will currently go farther in Florida than Illinois. 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. 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. Edgewater has one of the lowest cost of living in Florida, as well as a strong school system. The cost of construction labor is cheaper in Arizona than in a majority of states. This put education in the state above the national average. Health related expenses are 18.2% more in Miami. Lol. Cape Coral also has several pros and cons, housing cost in Mount Dora is around $242,900, 10 Best Anti-Theft Travel Backpacks: Buying Guide, 10 Best Places to Live on The Gulf Coast of Florida, 8 Most Affordable Places in Hawaii to Live in, 15 Most Affordable Hiking Boots: Buying Guide, Top 10 Most Affordable Places to Live in California, 10 Insanely Cheap Places To Travel In The USA, 10 Best Places to Live in Florida in 2023, 11 Most Dangerous Cities In California To Avoid, 10 Insanely Cheap Countries To Live In Europe, 14 Best Places For Snorkeling In Florida A Lifetime Experience, 13 Best Nude Beaches in New York for Sun-Worshippers, 14 Best Botanical Gardens in Florida To Visit, 14 Stunning Yosemite Sunset Spots Secret Trails & Meadows, 23 Free Things to Do in Long Beach, California. Its median home value, however, remains in the middle of the pack compared to the rest of the country. Looking for the cheapest housing in Florida? Fort Meade is a small city in Polk County, located around 50 miles east of Tampa. Cost of Living in Florida Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. If thats not enough, you can also get to Orlando or Tampa in less than 1 hour in either direction, making this one of the mostinexpensive places to live in Florida that also has a top location near other big cities. 8) Things has more things to do Illinois Versus Florida. Some people may ultimately choose to move to Florida, but keep their remote job in a higher paying state. Those from New York, which CNBC's analysis named the second most expensive state in terms of cost of living, might have benefitted from the move. Even you can get a good deal to buy a house. These three places are very popular among retirees. Lower Employment Winner? With 400 miles of canals, the city is also known as Waterfront Wonderland. Conclusion Jacksonville offers 850 square miles of stunning beaches, award-winning restaurants, and unique, cultural communities making it one of the best places to live in Florida on a budget. Is bound by endless canals 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? According to the records in 2018, Florida is home to more than 21.3 million people. Our mission is to provide a digital resource with original insights on lifestyle and travel experiences. The best thing is that the average registered nurse salary in Cape Coral is pretty high. Bartow is located 50 miles southwest of Orlando and 40 miles east of Tampa. Overall Score 6.0 Quality of Life 6.5 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. I used to love PCB but it has become unbearable to live here with all of the tourist and price gouging. Cheap labor and building costs help Oklahoma land in the No. You may need to visit your current office to sign a release form. The city is known for its peaceful lifestyle with a large lake as its centerpiece. Especially, if you love water, then Jax can be a heaven to you. . Before moving to the Sunshine State, it's worth considering how Florida's cost of living compares to where you live now, and to your potential employment opportunities. This list is a very helpful part in my researching where to move to. It kicks off the rest of the list with Port Charlotte, Florida. Strolling through the very walkable downtown is so peaceful. Required fields are marked *. Well, there is a small historic downtown with over 25 specialty shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Only the utility cost is higher than the national average. There is also easy access to big stores and supermarkets in Lynn Haven. The total cost of car ownership, which includes gas prices and repair costs, is slightly above the national average. 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. 7 Valid Reasons Not to Move to Florida, Population: 5,565 Cost of Living Index: 86 Average Home Price: $188,000 (29% below Florida average) Average Rent Price: $843 per month Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents: 6.5 (74% below Florida average) Unemployment Rate: 4.1% 10 Year Job Growth Outlook: +44% Location: See in Google Maps. 6. Median Home Cost = $180,000.00 ( Affordable) Yet another area that helps Jacksonville's overall score is the median home cost here. And the most expensive states are (in order of most expensive to cheaper) . The nature scene in Tavares is outstanding. North Carolina takes the No. A family of four spends $9,380 on average on food in Mount Dora. Size and Population How to Watch LSU at Florida in Men's College Basketball Today: Game Date: March 4, 2023 Game Time: 6 p.m. Health care services may be higher than the national indexes, but overall Quincy is a cheap Florida city to live in. How to Watch MVC Second Semifinal, Southern Illinois vs. Drake, in Men's College Basketball Today: Game Date: Feb. 4, 2023 Game Time: 6 p.m. (Utility costs in the two states are about equal.) But, unlike most other large cities, Jacksonville is one of the most affordable places to live if you love Florida. 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. Illinoisans wellbeing based on the latest surveys came in at 49th. You can visit Honeymoon Island State Park Dog Beach, a popular dog beach in Florida. Floridas overall crime rate is not that different than Illinois, but it is slightly higher. It also features several parks and historic buildings like Fort Meade Historical Society worth visiting. If youre looking for a safe place to live in Florida where median home prices for newer homes are lower, Fort Meade is worth consideration. It is a resident-owned and self-governed park located in a prime location within Dunedin. 2. Are there any mobil home parks that may help me lower costs? . There are plenty of job opportunities in and around the Orlando metro area. Housing expenses are 33% lower whereas food and grocery prices are 7% higher than the national average. Florida also did poorly in both polls, but it will almost certainly be an improvement for many over the Prairie State. You do your homework for sure. 7. There are many lists online that only focus on the cheapest places in Florida. Lake Dora has recorded a headcount of about 13,000 people with a very affordable cost of living. Im tired of shoveling snow. You can go for a road trip to Walt Disney World, the Everglades, and the Keys at the weekend. Timber Pines is a peaceful little suburb of Tampa located on the western coast of central Florida. Health Care Quality Winner? But, fear not, as many big stores are available in neighboring Winter Haven just 10 minutes away. We are looking for a country area and the cheapest place to live in Florida. If youre a beach lover, you are lucky to own a house in Jacksonville. It offers the 2nd lowest rent prices on our list of cheapest cities to live in Florida, while its home prices are 35% lower than the rest of Florida. Besides the popular theme parks, you can visit Kennedy Space Center and enjoy Boggy Creek Airboat Tour with your family. 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. 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. The Rotary Park shaded by oak trees, Smyrna Dunes Park, and prehistoric archaeological sites will keep you entertained. This small town in Pasco County is home to 6,966 people. Jacksonville. Illinois is one of the 10 most expensive states to live in according to information derived from the Cost of Living Index produced by the Council for Community and Economic Research. 1. Visit an extraordinary vintage antique store on Main Street. The 1.9% increase was the largest of any US state over this period. Housing, grocery, transportation, and health expenses are lower than the state average as well as the national average. Then youve just come to the right place. Lots of Land Contributes to Lower Prices There's even a surprising amount of coastline that is undeveloped, he said. Hacienda Village in Winter Springs is another great option. Tourism, agriculture, digital media, and aviation sectors are booming right now. 5. While race car drivers may not benefit from low-cost car insurance, the typical Indiana driver enjoys the tenth-lowest car insurance rate in the U.S. 22: Texas. 1. Out-of-pocket costs are capped at $6,600. Walmart offers the most employment opportunity to the residents of Plant City. Jacksonville is located right at the top of the state, close to the border between Florida and Georgia. From the waterparks, golf clubs to scenic hiking trails like the Pinellas Trail, Dunedin is packed with recreational outdoor activities. Now, it is true that Indiana counties assess income tax, too. The state's overall tax burden, however, remains among the lowest in the nation, and is among the reasons so many retirees move there. In addition to delicious food, Louisiana retirees can expect low costs of living, affordable homes, and lower healthcare costs. In 2019, New York and Georgia saw the most residents move to Florida. ?? There is quite some demand to enter this small community, so start looking now if you want to move here eventually. Read More. Here you can enjoy a more suburban life with a simple standard of living. Thank you so much Teri for your kind comment. Used vehicles in Florida can be nearly 10% cheaper than the national average because of an aging population that's giving up their cars each year, whether due to death or just impaired eyesight or driving abilities. Your income and spending is very low. 6 . Unlike most quality of life ratings, school ratings are all over the place and often contradict each other. Like any other Florida city, Cape Coral also has several pros and cons that you must know before moving here. Food and utilities costs are also not that expensive. When you look at the full picture, however, it's unclearif moving to Florida will prove to be a smart financial decision in the years to come. Being one of the most affordable places in the US, you dont have to spend big money to have fun inJacksonville. 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. The cost of living index in Melbourne is 94.4 based on a US average of 100. You can find cheaper options on the outskirts of Orlando. Ample job opportunities evidenced by one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation and the growth of remote work have made it possible for many Americans to move to the Sunshine State. When we put together this list of the cheapest places to live in Florida, we not only considered the latest data on cost of living, but also housing values, crime rates, and desirability to give you the most complete list of cities that you would truly want to live in. Change currency (USD) pay 24.2 % more for groceries Show 8 more.. Illinois vs. Florida - Cost of groceries Both states are in the bottom 25 of states with higher rates, but Illinoiss overall crime rate is lower than Florida. Location-wise, it is only a 10 minute drive away from Panama City and only 20 minutes from Panama City Beach. Florida come in at 16th among all US states with a rate of just 3.3%. The median home price is around $225,000. It is a family-friendly city and offers countless outdoor recreational activities. If you cook yourself, you can save a lot of money. It is home to 50,298 people in America. Minnesota, Maryland, Illinois, . The average health cost and food costs of a single adult are around $3,937 and $ 3,280 per year respectively. The biggest attraction is the beach life, as the coastline in New Smyrna Beach is just 10 minutes away from the center of town. All the best for your retired life. 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. Both have lots of job opportunities. Here is our privacy policy that outlines how we handle your data. Enjoy the vibe of Rock Creek Run and Wekiva River. Have a great life ahead. Above all, the violent crime rate is very low compared to other major cities in Florida. The city features several family-friendly attractions including public parks, lakes, scenic walking trails. Meanwhile, Arcadias central location makes it an attractive city to consider to be close to some of Floridas biggest cities. It is definitely a good choice. Based on housing costs, utilities, and taxes, the average person could live on a budget of $1800-$2,000 a month. You can also read the moving to Florida checklist and guide. If you are also considering The Villages, then read ourrecommendations for the best neighborhoods in the area. 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. Better Weather winner? Haines City is also the biggest city on our list, which offers many things to do and makes it a fun place to live. They may avoid the most competitive rental markets like Miami-Dade and Orlando. When you are in Plant City, and tasting strawberries is a must! I wanted to know what places you recommend for a single 25 year old who just graduated with a nursing degree. Home to the University of Florida and Santa Fe College,Gainesville is one of the safest and cheapest places to retire in Florida. It is considered 13% safer than other US cities. When it comes to used car sales, Florida tends to has the cheapest prices. So, if you are looking for the absolute cheapest total lifestyle in a safe and desirable community, then look no further than Haines City. Lady Lake is located in central Florida adjacent to The Villages, the immensely popular and ever-growing 55+ retirement community. Meanwhile, Pensacola Beach is only about 40 minutes away. Were young and want to move to Miami or at least close to the city but also are trying to find something very affordable. 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. Once a tobacco manufacturing hub is now a hub of art and culture. A single adult needs $1,800-$2,200 per month to live in Bartow. Among the most expensive states to live in, "Florida's not even in the top 10," University of Illinois economics professor David Albouy to The Associated Presslast October. Arkansas. Please see our disclaimers to learn more about our site. Thank you John. Theres a variety of restaurants, waterparks, shopping choices, and nonexpensive entertainment like fishing, boating, hiking, swimming, and many more. I would start by read this shocking article from US News before doing any school rating research. Im really happy to help you to find your new affordable home in Fl.