In recent years, people from all over the country have flocked to Florida. That has pushed up home prices in the state.
A spate of hurricanes also have helped homeowners insurance costs in Florida to soar. In short, Florida is not as affordable as it used to be.
However, not every city in the Sunshine State is out of reach for folks who live on a monthly Social Security payment, which averages around $1,900 nationwide. If you hope to make your retirement dollars stretch, here are some affordable Florida cities where you can retire.
Unless noted, all rental information comes from Apartments.com. Housing price information is from Redfin and is for January.
Steal this billionaire wealth-building technique
The ultra-rich have also been investing in art from big names like Picasso and Bansky for centuries. And it's for a good reason: Contemporary art prices have outpaced the S&P 500 by 136% over the last 27 years.
A new company called Masterworks is now allowing everyday investors to get in on this type of previously-exclusive investment. You can buy a small slice of $1-$30 million paintings from iconic artists, all without needing any art expertise.
If you have at least $10k to invest and are ready to explore diversifying beyond stocks and bonds, see what Masterworks has on offer. (Hurry, they often sell out!)
Crystal River
/images/2024/05/16/crystal-river-archaeological-state-park-florida.jpeg)
Average rent: $606 per month
Median home sale price: $247,000Crystal River is part of Florida's Nature Coast. The city is known as the "manatee capital of the world," and wildlife lovers can snorkel with the gentle giants and enjoy water sports.
The opportunities to explore nature here are among the state's most beautiful. You can also have a great time sampling abundant seafood and perusing local shops.
Want to learn how to build wealth like the 1%? Sign up for Worthy to get ideas and advice delivered to your inbox.
Gainesville
/images/2023/06/05/gainesville_florida_usa_downtown.jpg)
Average rent: $1,231 per month
Median home sale price: $276,900
Gainesville is centered around the University of Florida. It also has the 16-mile Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail for those who love to bike or hike.
The vibrant city has museums, gardens, shopping, dining, and more. Stunning springs are just a short drive away.
Inverness
/images/2024/08/21/lake-monroe-downtown-sanford-riverwalk-florida.jpeg)
Average rent: $767 per month
Median home sale price: $264,000
In Inverness, you can enjoy morning coffee downtown before appreciating historic architecture, strolling the streets, and dining out. Festivals take place often.
There are ample outdoor activities thanks to the Withlacoochee River.
Get instant access to hundreds of discounts
Over 50? Join AARP today— because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks like discounts on travel, dining, and even prescriptions.
Get 25% off membership — just $15 for your first year with auto-renewal — and a free gift if you join today.
Lake City
/images/2024/10/14/aerial-image-lake-city-florida-adobe.jpg)
Average rent: $932 per month
Median home sale price: $230,000
Farmers market? Check. Food truck on Wednesdays? Check. Boutique shops and restaurants with local flavor? Check.
Like Inverness, Lake City has a small-town vibe with everything you need. It is also close to outdoor gems such as Ichetucknee Springs, the Suwannee River, and cave-diving hotspots.
Lakeland
/images/2022/11/14/downtown_lakeland_florida_on_lake_mirror.jpg)
Average rent: $1,324 per month
Average median home sale price: $308,450
Bustling Lakeland sits between Tampa and Orlando on the Interstate 4 corridor. It has plenty of places to dine, get coffee, shop, and unwind, as well as ample outdoor activities and museums.
Lakeland is also where Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers hold their spring training.
Trending Stories
Lake Wales
/images/2024/05/16/the-singing-tower-lake-wales-florida.jpeg)
Average rent: $1,290 per month
Median home sale price: $265,990
Lake Wales is about 50 miles south of Orlando. The city is home to a legacy of cowboy flavor and a weekly rodeo. You can also enjoy laid-back restaurants and a relaxed pace of life.
Bok Tower Gardens is the gem of the area, hosting frequent community events.
Marianna
/images/2024/11/04/marianna-florida.png)
Average rent: $1,150 per month (Zillow)
Median home sale price: $175,000
Sometimes known as "the city of Southern charm," Marianna is a town in Florida's panhandle best known for Florida Caverns State Park, an outdoor enthusiast's dream.
The city's charming downtown area is perfect for strolling and dining. Tallahassee is only an hour away by car.
Ocala
/images/2024/06/21/ocala-florida-adobe.jpg)
Average rent: $1,244 per month
Median home sale price: $265,998
The gateway to stunning Ocala National Forest, Ocala is the "horse capital of the world," with more than 600 horse farms and abundant related experiences and attractions. It also has a historic downtown ripe for exploration.
A glass-bottom boat tour at Silver Springs State Park is a must.
Pensacola
/images/2023/04/11/pensacola_beach_in_florida.jpg)
Average rent: $1,327 per month
Median home sale price: $337,500
Yes, you can still live near beautiful, powdery sand beaches and not go broke in Florida: That's the big draw of Pensacola, located in the state's panhandle.
When you are done with the sun, sea, and surf, enjoy dining on seafood in the vibrant downtown.
In 2023 Americans lost over $10 billion to identity theft and fraud
That's right. According to the FTC, Americans lost over $10 Billion to fraud and identity theft in 2023.
But you can safeguard your data with all-in-one identity theft protection services from Aura which comes with $1,000,000.00 in identity theft insurance1 <p>Identity Theft Insurance underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group‚ Inc. The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms‚ conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms‚ conditions‚ and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.</p> per adult, to cover you should you have eligible identity theft-related losses.
An individual plan starts at $9 per month, and you can choose a family plan that outmatches most others - includes Dark Web monitoring to scour data breaches and leaks for your sensitive personal data — such as Social Security numbers (SSN), Medicare information, and phone numbers.
Before you make your next online purchase, protect what you’ve built for a fraction of what it could cost you if your data were compromised.
Palatka
/images/2024/11/04/palatka-florida.png)
Average rent: $1,274 per month
Median home sale price: $222,450
Nestled on the banks of the beautiful St. Johns River, Palatka sits just west of St. Augustine. Spend mornings gazing at sailboats while sipping coffee and afternoons golfing at top-tier public courses.
This safe small town offers plenty of events, shopping, and dining to enjoy.
Tallahassee
/images/2023/06/06/tallahassee-florida-usa-under-purple-sky.jpeg)
Average rent: $1,176 per month
Median home sale price: $272,500
Florida's capital is the heart of the Big Bend region, with two major universities and plenty of football action. The historic city is the biggest on our list and offers everything you could want, indoors and out.
You even get a bit of fall foliage in the city, a rarity in Florida.
Titusville
/images/2024/05/16/indian-river-titusville-florida.jpeg)
Average rent: $1,173 per month
Median home sale price: $276,500
Titusville might be the place for you if you dream of living close to the beach, watching rocket launches from Kennedy Space Center year-round, and going bioluminescent kayaking in the summer.
The downtown area has plenty of culture and businesses for your day-to-day life as well.
Sebring
/images/2023/08/28/panoramic-view-of-downtown-sebring-florida.jpeg)
Average rent: $881 per month
Median home sale price: $225,000
Sebring is home to abundant lakes and top-tier golfing, as well as plenty of places to eat and drink to your heart's content. "The city on the circle" was planned in a unique circular pattern and is perfect for fans of water activities and adventures.
Auto racing is also a big deal in Sebring.
South Daytona
/images/2024/10/14/summer-time-in-daytona-beach-adobe.jpg)
Average rent: $1,410 per month
Median home sale price: $195,750
South Daytona is situated on the Halifax River, mere miles from Atlantic coast beaches. Along with the outdoor amenities that come with the location, South Daytona also boasts nice neighborhoods to live in.
This place is perfect if you want a small-city vibe with big-city advantages.
Bottom line
/images/2024/06/24/miami-florida-skyline-from-palm-trees.jpeg)
You won't need to worry about finding clever ways to help pay your rent in these affordable Florida cities. Your Social Security should cover that bill and more.
While this list highlights some of the most affordable places to live in Florida, there are many others in the Sunshine State that might check all of your boxes. So, don't be afraid to explore.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.
2025 award winner Best Online Checking Account
Subscribe Today
Unlock the Best Banking Deals and Bonuses
From high-yield savings accounts to cashback checking and sign-up bonuses, we bring you the best banking offers to grow your money smarter.