The cost of living index in Melbourne is 94.4 based on a US average of 100. Its housing cost is one of the lowest on this list at 36% lower than average, which makes South Daytona one of the most affordable places to live in Florida. Are there any mobil home parks that may help me lower costs? Besides the popular theme parks, you can visit Kennedy Space Center and enjoy Boggy Creek Airboat Tour with your family. Single adults average health care is around $4,021, which is less than nationwide. Locations are then indexed against this number. Wish you a happy and safe retired life. Jacksonville is one of the cheapest places to visit in Florida. The average cost of living calculated by MIT is $16.54 per hour or $68,808 per year for two working adults in a family of four. You may consider Lake Okeechobee too, but the unemployment rate is high here. To apply for section 8 housing, you have to contact a nearby PHA(Public Housing Agency) office in your city. Considering moving to Florida. But, unlike most other large cities, Jacksonville is one of the most affordable places to live if you love Florida. The housing price is 13% lower than the national average, around $95,100. Moreover, it is safe and offers plenty of outdoor activities. If itll cost you $50,000 to move to Florida (selling a home + long distance move + buying another home) and you only save $2500 a year, it would take you 20 years to break even. Here you will find 16 acres of land at the museum Pioneer Florida Museum examining and illustrating the state history in the liveliest manner. Depending on the source, it's between $173.000 and $180,000, compared to the national average of just over $231,000. Furthermore, you can buy a house whose median value is around $155,300, less than the national median home value of $204,900. Thats according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (July 2019). The city is full of many amenities for residents to enjoy, including spectacular beaches, natural wonderlands, museums, and gardens. Groceries can be slightly pricier, but overall you will see a significant reduction in cost while living in Gainesville. Here is our terms & conditions that stipulates how you can use this site. Once a tobacco manufacturing hub is now a hub of art and culture. Hec I would even work at apical pub, wine bar or something of that nature. Complete a change of address. Employment in Bartow is mainly fueled by the county, state, and city governments. Size and Population Jacksonville. 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. Nearby, there is the bustling town of Mount Dora, which is routinely named as one of the best places to live in Florida. Housing is the main factor in the cost of living and median home prices are very favorable for individuals in Orlando. Lots of Land Contributes to Lower Prices There's even a surprising amount of coastline that is undeveloped, he said. The safety levels in Haines City are very good, with crime rates 17% below the states average. Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty Images. . If you want to live in a Cheap, well maintained, VERY CLEAN and VERY POLICED and Low Crime City- Florida takes the top marks in the rankings, with relatively low costs of living and a high percentage of retirees to mingle with. Auto insurance rates by state. Housing costs are also reasonable, but only if you can find a house that is available. The total cost of car ownership, which includes gas prices and repair costs, is slightly above the national average. However being expensive or not, is relative. Im looking to retire in next few months in Florida and I love how u put the actual cost to live decent in certain areas. My husband and I are planning to move to Florida. Population: 7,934 Cost of Living Index: 93 Average Home Price: $143,000 (46% below Florida average) Average Rent Price: $678 per month Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents: 19.5 (23% below Florida average) Unemployment Rate: 4.0% 10 Year Job Growth Outlook: +39% Location: See in Google Maps. is this a good place to market and get settled? To determine the most affordable places to live in Florida that are also safe and desirable, we compiled data from multiple sources to ensure that you get the most objective recommendations. Haines City enters our list at number 8 of cheap places to live in Florida and offers the lowest cost of living index on this list. 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. If you cook yourself, you can save a lot of money. a. The healthcare cost of a single adult expense is on average $4,182 per year. 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). Vero Beach is about sunshine, a sparkling ocean, a laid-back atmosphere, pristine sand, historical sights, eclectic shops, and cultural marvels. 5 minutes in either direction on the main highway through Timber Pines will also get you to a Walmart or Target. The cost of living in this sunshine state city is 2% lower than the national average. Many states enjoy better weather than these two, but if youve limited yourself to just Illinois or Florida, Florida wins this. Lake Dora has recorded a headcount of about 13,000 people with a very affordable cost of living. Of course there are many variables that will determine the actual cost such as exact distance of the move, the number of items being moved, and additional services such as packing and unpacking. You can grow oranges and grapefruit in your own yard. As per 2022 records of C2ER, the cost of living is around 94.7% of the national average making it an average of US cities, ranking 130 out of 273 cities in the USA. The average health cost and food costs of a single adult are around $3,937 and $ 3,280 per year respectively. Jacksonville is again lower than the Florida average also, which stands at $237,000. But, each major city in Florida is a bit different. The best part of moving to this city is its proximity to other major cities like Atlanta, Georgia, Alabama, etc. You can walk, run, ride on a horse, or do whatever you want. Expect to pay around $2000-2500 per month to live a comfortable life. Hi Bonnettee, you can read this article on the best beach towns to live in Florida. Zero estate taxes. 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. The nearest beach is also only about an hour away around Sarasota. Hello I am a single mom with 3 kids looking for a kid friendly safe neighborhood but something very affordable with good paying jobs. Median Home Cost: $135,300. 6 . 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? Here are. With a population of about 10000 people, Fort Meade is a part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven Metropolitan area. It is definitely a good choice. Florida ranks in the top half of states with a lower tax bite, and the higher your income is, the greater this advantage over Illinois becomes. Population: 20,768 Cost of Living Index: 99 Average Home Price: $238,000 (10% below Florida average) Average Rent Price: $1,120 per month Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents: 15.5 (39% below Florida average) Unemployment Rate: 3.6% 10 Year Job Growth Outlook: +34% Location: See in Google Maps. Tavares took our top spot based on having the best mix of cheap living, low crime, and great job prospects, all within a city that offers its residents an exciting mix of things to do. If what youll save on taxes and the cost of living in Florida will be so minimal that it would take you 20 years to break even on what it cost you to move from Illinois, you may want to do so figuring first. The competition is tough in popular cities like Miami, Tampa, Orlando. So, what is the cheapest and safest place to live in Florida that you would actually want to move to? You should have dinner at Shilohs Steak & Seafood, from where you get spectacular views of NASAs Kennedy Space Center. The cost of auto insurance can vary by state and insurance company, with an average rate of $1,758 a year nationwide for a good driver with good credit. Thanks. It is a family-friendly city and offers countless outdoor recreational activities. While the cost of living in Florida is far from lowest, its considerably cheaper overall than Illinois. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. However, as of this writing, we are enjoying the longest period of time ever without a recession in the history of the US, so that rate only get Illinois rated as the 40th lowest rate. Cost Of Living: $43,308. Florida is less expensive to live in, than other states. This post may contain affiliate links. A: Every state has some good areas and some bad areas. In one corner of the west of Florida peninsula, sits Tampa, the oldest center of business, bars, and endless entertainment options that vibes up every weekend. So, while Lake Wales is the second cheapest place to live in Florida, there is actually another city that we think is the best. Orlando offers all these things and surprisingly thisCentral Floridaparadise offers low-cost living. If you decide to make Monmouth your permanent home, the median price of a home here is very reasonable at $79,200, especially considering that the average household here earns $50,740 annually. Especially Homosassa Springs and Hernando are quiet towns full of nature and wildlife. Rents are also very affordable the average cost is only $678 per month, which makes it one of the cheapest places to rent in Florida. Illinois is deep into the list of the states with the highest overall tax burden according to the Tax Foundation and every other source Ive checked with that puts out tax related data. There are also modern chain stores like Walmart and Winn-Dixie at the edge of town. There are numerous parks, lakes, and golf courses across the city along with a terrific range of restaurants that serve a wide range of international cuisines. In California, they run almost to $4,000 annually. Bartow is located 50 miles southwest of Orlando and 40 miles east of Tampa. 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. The cost of living and average home prices are slightly below the Florida average, but the very low crime rates and opportunity to live right on the water make Lynn Haven quite appealing. Whether you love to experience the modern aspect or historical sites, you will definitely love this city. Titusville is home to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, you cannot miss Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum, and the American Space Museum & Space Walk of Fame. The cost of living in Dunedin is 8% lower than the national average. There are currently a fair amount of 2 and 3 bedroom houses available for under $200,000. This helped out in finding the cheapest city to live. Americans are moving to Florida for better weather and lower taxes. Fort Meade is included in our list of most affordable cities in Floridafor the low median home price and affordable grocery and healthcare. So, Dade City is waiting for many adventures! But there are also some people who regret moving to Florida. With charming historic attractive streets, wider sidewalks, and a unique combination of the cute landscape of hills and lakes, Mount Dora is one of the most cherished places in Florida. Pensacola. It is very quiet and has good schools that offer IB programs. Florida. Most retirees live on a fixed income and the data shows that money will currently go farther in Florida than Illinois. What would you suggest? Where is the best area for lower cost housing? The nature scene in Tavares is outstanding. Your email address will not be published. 95% of people who never lived in Florida full time will disagree with these notes, but 95% of people who have lived in Florida full time will understand. Reasonable cost of living. Meanwhile, its future is also bright, with job growth expected to increase by 44%, outpacing the national average by 10%. . While the cost of living in Florida is far from lowest, it's considerably cheaper overall than Illinois. So a day trip to the theme parks is definitely possible. To live in a safe area and zoned for a good school, our area averages about $1800+ for a 2 bedroom apartment or condo. For cost of living and housing data, we used the latest U.S. Census report, the AreaVibes living index, and Zillows housing market data. "There's just no way for people living here to afford it the salaries that they pay here don't add up to the cost of rent," Nicole Panesso, a millennial who lived in Florida her whole life before moving to Tennessee last year, previously told Insider. Is it more expensive to live in Chicago or Florida? One of the best parts of life in Jacksonville is that living here costs just a fraction of what it costs to live in most other cities, even in Florida.House prices are rock bottom and you can rent an apartment here for an average of $980, which is significantly lower than the $1,500 national average. Population: 23,400 Cost of Living Index: 85 Average Home Price: $204,000 (23% below Florida average) Average Rent Price: $804 per month Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents: 20.9 (17% below Florida average) Unemployment Rate: 4.1% 10 Year Job Growth Outlook: +44% Location: See in Google Maps. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. I would start by read this shocking article from US News before doing any school rating research. 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. Whats life like in Lake Wales? The lowest-cost silver plan, the MDWise Marketplace Silver Basic, costs $3,432 a year with its higher-than-average monthly premium of $286. In December, the place feels so magical, the lights of Hope, and Christmas trees look so beautiful. "Florida is above the national average, but it's not even close to the most expensive place to live," he said. Population: 9,771 Cost of Living Index: 92 Average Home Price: $192,000 (27% below Florida average) Average Rent Price: $999 per month Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents: 19.8 (22% below Florida average) Unemployment Rate: 3.4% 10 Year Job Growth Outlook: +43% Location: See in Google Maps. Economy Strength Winner: Unlike the close ratings on cost of living and crime, Florida wins this comparison by a wide margin. Luckily, 28 states have property tax rates below 1.00%. The median home price in Dunedin is $157,000 which is 5.8% lower than the state average. New York. One bedroom studio rent can be found under $1400 per month. , How about for a new Real estate agent? Illinois fell just inside the bottom 25 states in the overall quality of health care provided, according to the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Hi Im planning on moving to Fl but needed somewhere with alot of medical options and which is affordable cost of living. If you earn $40,000 a year, you can easily survive here. Check-in/wait at the airport = 60 minutes Flight time = 2 hours, 4 minutes Orlando International Airport Leaving MCO airport = 144 minutes Total travel time = 6 hours, 17 minutes Driving time = 16 hours, 49 minutes 1 hotel night = $75.00 Extra time for stops = 0 minutes Extra costs (tolls, rental car) = $0.00 Wear and tear cost = $0.10 per mile If youre going to spend all your time indoors, does it matter where you live? Its a very informative article and helped me a lot to find some safe and cheap place to live. Hi Chrissy, we update the article(including the data) frequently as required. In fact, job growth in Edgewater is expected to increase by 43%, which is above the national average of 33%. Housing, grocery, transportation, and health expenses are lower than the state average as well as the national average. Why is Florida so cheap living? Were young and want to move to Miami or at least close to the city but also are trying to find something very affordable. Miami is 14.0% more expensive than Chicago. It has earned a name as Monarch City and the Tree City of the USA. Our mission is to provide a digital resource with original insights on lifestyle and travel experiences. Massachusetts. In a Gallup poll way back in 2013 on how residents liked their state, Illinois again took the 49th spot. The standard Part B premium is $170.10 per month in 2022. Cost of Moving from Illinois to Florida The average cost to move from Illinois to Florida with North American is $3,614.35. 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. This change in cost is called the IRMAA (Income-related Monthly Adjustment Amount). This quiet, tree-lined suburb of Panama City is located right on the water of Floridas panhandle. Employment However, transportation and grocery might be a bit pricier but cheaper than nearby Fort Myers. The quality of education can vary from school to school even within the same district in the same state. Especially on a fixed income. Population: 12,734 Cost of Living Index: 88 Average Home Price: $169,500 (36% below Florida average) Average Rent Price: $833 per month Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents: 18.3 (27% below Florida average) Unemployment Rate: 3.7% 10 Year Job Growth Outlook: +43% Location: See in Google Maps. Hi Ashley, Cape Coral and Dunedin both are comparatively safe places than other Florida cities. The average cost to build an 1,800-square-foot home here is the lowest in the U.S. One episode of snow shoveling cancels out a hurricane. 22: Texas. Its no more a secret that the fastest growing cities in Florida have grown exceptionally large with time. A September ADP report, however, found that Florida's wage growth had outpaced the national inflation rate if not the state's cost of living over the prior 12 months. There is no shortage of natural trails, state parks, and museums. The Bayou state is the 6th best state for retiring on a budget. For cheaper options, you may consider Ocala and Lakeland too. Hey thank you so much for doing this page Ive been planning on moving and Im so happy I ran across your page here, its giving me A LOT of insight and definitely better choices to live than what I was trying. Food and utilities costs are also not that expensive. The city might be in the rural part of the state but the great job opportunities and strong economic growth make the city a wonderful place for families, multi-generational families, and even solo professionalsor expat. This positive outlook is probably linked to South Daytonas good fortune of being directly next to neighboring Daytona Beach. Top employers in the area include the University of Florida and UF Health, followed by the Alachua County School Board and Shands HealthCare and North Florida Regional Medical Center. But you can definitely start from any of the cities listed above. Is section 8 housing a option in Flordia? From there come to cherish time at Golden Sands Beach, Jaycee Park, or Wabasso Beach Park to enjoy the salty air. Arkansas. Additionally, a November Forbes analysis using data from the Kaiser Family Foundation found Florida to be the fourth most expensive state for healthcare in the country, adding that residents with employer-provided family health coverage pay over $7,000 annually, the highest premium of any state. MoneyWise lists the next five cities as the best warm places to live with an affordable cost of living.