Retirement Social Security

14 Florida Cities Where You Can Actually Live on Nothing but Social Security

The dream of retirement in the Sunshine State is still within your reach.

By Cat Lafuente

Edited by Chris Kissell

Updated Feb. 26, 2025

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.

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Crystal River

Average rent: $606 per month

Median home sale price: $247,000

Crystal 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.

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Gainesville

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

Lake Monroe downtown Sanford Riverwalk Florida

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.

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Lake City

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

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.

Lake Wales

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.

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Marianna

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

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

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.

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Palatka

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

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

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.

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Sebring

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

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

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.

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Author Details

Cat Lafuente

Cat Lafuente is a Florida-based editor and FinanceBuzz writer with extensive experience in digital and print content spaces. Her own personal finance journey — particularly consolidating debt and paying it off, in turn boosting her credit score and becoming a homeowner — inspired her to join the FinanceBuzz team; she hopes she can help others do the same.