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9 Florida Cities Where You Can Buy a Home Under $225,000

There's a lot of hidden gems.

By Cassandra Yorgey

Edited by Lauren Wellbank

Updated March 11, 2025

When it comes to buying a home, the discussion often turns to mortgage rates. However, more and more homebuyers are saying that sky high home prices are keeping them from pursuing their dream of homeownership.

And, with median sales prices across the U.S. hovering around $419,200, it's easy to see why.

But, there are still affordable homes to be found, even in Florida where the average price to buy is slightly lower at $385,541. With a little bit of patience and a whole lot of research, you may even be able to land a property with a purchase price of less than $225,000.

So, take a look at this list and see the best places in the state where smart homeownership moves can score you an affordable home.

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Orlando

Living close to Disney might seem out of financial reach, but it can be surprisingly affordable. Zillow cites the average Orlando home value as $377,005, but it also has over 1,000 listings under $225,000.

Some of these listings can seem shockingly low, so it's important to note that those properties are most likely located on leased land — meaning there is a monthly rent due on top of the mortgage payment. Even still, you can snag a deal in this city, where condo pricing starts around $60,000, and townhouses start at $140,000.

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Quincy

Located just outside of Tallahassee, Zillow says home prices in Quincy come in around $164,967.

According to Sperling's BestPlaces, the average cost of living for Quincy residents is $36,800 for a single person and an even lower $27,000 for a family. There are approximately 7,000 job postings on Indeed located within 25 miles of Quincy, making it a great place for those not yet entering retirement.

Ocala

The North Central Florida city of Ocala currently has over 800 homes listed for under $225,000, according to Zillow. Fixer-upper homes can be found starting around $80,000, and move-in ready homes start around $105,000.

Much of the residential area consists of senior living communities for those 55 or older, so it's a great area for those nearing retirement age. According to the city's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the biggest employers for the city include two healthcare companies, Lockheed Martin, FedEx, and the state government.

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Jacksonville

Jacksonville offers residents the best of city life while still offering some affordable housing options. Fixer-uppers start around $68,000, although move-in ready options are also available starting around $70,000.

Buyers will want to be sure they are purchasing the land underneath the house, as the area has many homes located on leased land. The high-end range of $225,000 offers a wide variety of various architectures, however the city is located on the northeastern edge of the state which makes it susceptible to hurricanes.

Additional factors such as insurance and weatherproofing should be factored into purchasing budgets.

Lakeland

Lakeland is situated neatly between Tampa and Orlando, which offers plenty of weekend activities in either direction.

The cost of living is 14% lower than the average for Florida, and is ideal for retirees as many of the communities are for senior living and have age restrictions of 55 or over.

Homes that don't require leasing land start around $107,000, however there are over 800 Zillow listings for properties under $225,000.

Sebring

Sebring is a hidden gem for those who prefer to be tucked away in a quiet spot with natural white sand beaches. The small city is located directly on the waterfront of Lake Jackson and has 23 brand new, never before lived-in houses available for under $225,000, according to Zillow.

The median home price in Sebring is $225,000 based on January 2025 data from Redfin, so while the area is small it has a high percentage of affordable homes.

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Fort Myers

The average home in Fort Myers is valued at $343,688, according to Zillow data, and has gone down 6.4% over the past year. The popular real estate website shows over 900 homes for sale under $225,000.

While condos can be found in the $100,000 range, many of the options toward the higher-end of the price range are also condos, so you'll need to do some digging if you're hoping to land a home in one of these popular planned developments. Sperling's BestPlaces estimates the cost of living is approximately $44,000 per year for a single person, which is slightly higher than the national average.

Naples

Naples has a reputation for high-priced homes, white sand beaches, and lots of golfing opportunities — but it actually has over 300 listings on Zillow for homes priced under $225,000.

There are many condo options available at that price point, which is great for single purchasers. The cost of living is estimated to be $62,000 per year for singles by Sperling's BestPlaces — a figure that is higher than the national average but lower than the Florida average.

Bartow

This small town near Orlando and Tampa is one of the least expensive places to live in Florida. The cost of living is 8.4% below the national average with a median home pricing of $266,085.

The population is expected to increase in 2025 due to an annexation of former mining land. Zillow currently has 26 homes listed for under $225,000 but it may be a place to keep an eye on for new properties as the year progresses.

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Bottom line

Many people are drawn to living in Florida because of the lack of income taxes and the year-round warm weather, which is a perfect combination for those looking to maximize their retirement savings while lounging in the sunlight.

While home prices continue to skyrocket across the whole country, there are clearly still plenty of gems hidden throughout Florida that can be purchased for $225,000 or less.

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Author Details

Cassandra Yorgey

Cassandra Yorgey is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience covering a multitude of topics ranging from science-fiction and fantasy genre reviews to the impacts of sociological developments on the political landscape. She champions financial literacy and consumer protections that value human life over monetary profits. She has been featured in both online and print publications, including AOL, Examiner, MSN, Exemplore, Yellowbook, and Wealth of Geeks.