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 In many parts of Florida, you can buy a new home for a relatively cheap price. The idyllic temperature and stunning white sand beaches made it a popular romantic getaway in Florida. While the cost of living in Florida is far from lowest, it's considerably cheaper overall than Illinois. The small town is an hours drive northeast of Tampa sitting in the hills of NE Pasco County. Located between Daytona Beach and Cape Canaveral Edgewater is a small town on the eastern coast of Florida. It sits along the Atlantic coast in Indian River County giving locals easy access to other coastal towns and national parks. * School ratings vary widely, depending upon the criteria the particular organization uses. So where are the most affordable places in Florida? Contents1 Is Wisconsin an expensive state to live in?2 How much does it cost to live comfortably in Wisconsin?3 Is it more expensive to live in Florida?4 Is it more expensive to live in Chic. What are the cheapest and most expensive states for car insurance in 2023? 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. Considering moving to Florida. In 2022, five of the 20 most competitive US rental markets were in Florida, per RentCafe, with Miami-Dade county and Orlando at number one and three respectively. Overall cheapest and most expensive states to live in for 2022. This is consistent with the fact that Floridians need a higher living wage to survive. Floridas tax burden is higher overall than what you may think, but it does not have a personal income tax. When it comes to Florida vs California to live, Florida is significantly more affordable than most parts of California. Median monthly rent: $1,059 Illinois $25,000 per person/$50,00 per accident $20,000 per . For me, it was always different. Americans are moving to Florida for better weather and lower taxes. 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. don't cover as much of the healthcare costs. 12 Best Christmas Towns in Florida To Celebrate Holidays in 2023, 8 Best Breweries in Gainesville to Visit in 2023, 9 Magical Secret Spots and Hidden Gems in Miami, 10 Fastest Growing Cities in Florida in 2023, 7 Best Places To Live In Northern Florida, 13 Most Insane Abandoned Places In Florida You Have To See, 11 Best Beaches In North Florida In 2023: A Descriptive List, Living in Tampa vs Orlando: Which Florida City is Best in 2023, Top 10 Free Things to do in Miami You Shouldnt Miss in 2023. Once a tobacco manufacturing hub is now a hub of art and culture. Not only is Texas 8% cheaper than Florida overall, but housing, utilities and groceries all cost significantly less in the Lone Star State. Florida come in at 16th among all US states with a rate of just 3.3%. In Titusville, you have to pay $910 a month as rent which is less than the $1,023 national median monthly rent. This positive outlook is probably linked to South Daytonas good fortune of being directly next to neighboring Daytona Beach. 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. Were young and want to move to Miami or at least close to the city but also are trying to find something very affordable. BudgetTravelBuff.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Whether you love to experience the modern aspect or historical sites, you will definitely love this city. Lets find out! Stay up to date with what you want to know. You may consider Lake Okeechobee too, but the unemployment rate is high here. Timber Pines was also named the 13th best city to retire in across all of America, so consider moving soon before too many people find out about this hidden gem. ET TV: SEC Network (Local) Live stream the LSU at Florida men's college basketball game on . Illinois. , How about for a new Real estate agent? 33. Cheap labor and building costs help Oklahoma land in the No. Overall, residents of South Daytona get all the benefits of a larger city, but in a more relaxed atmosphere that is also at a lower total cost, making it a top choice as one of themost affordable cities in Florida that give you thebest bangs for your buck. More stuff to do winner? There are also lots of affordable condos in Dunedin to rent. 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 Magic City of Florida offers families the chance to have an amazing time without spending a single penny. 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. If the move doesnt work out, which happens more than what most people realize, you may need/want to move again. Florida was rated below the national average in the 29th* spot. 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. Lady Lake is the third cheapest place to live in Florida that we would recommend. Overall Score 6.0 Quality of Life 6.5 The people here are so caring and very passionate about their community. 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. The affordable median home value($145,000) and lower crime rate make it the best and most affordable place to live in Florida. Click through to see the cost of renting versus owning a home in your state. 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. #1. From here you can easily visit Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. You can consider Edgewater if you want to live near the beach. That's a whole other house! The study found that in all but 10 places, it is indeed cheaper to buy than to rent though in some of those places, the cost difference is minimal. Vero Beach is the cheapest place to buy a house in Florida as the median home price is around $341,423, which is 14% lower than the national average. Whereas veterinary visit is around $53.73 with drug costs around $447.16. Florida by a wide margin. I am looking to move from Panama City beach Florida soon. Thank you in advance for your support! Here is our privacy policy that outlines how we handle your data. It is not far from either Coast, and there is decent shopping in the next towns, not so far from Fort Meade. Lots of Land Contributes to Lower Prices There's even a surprising amount of coastline that is undeveloped, he said. Virtually every big city amenity can be found here hospitals, clinics, churches, big box stores like Target, Walmart, The Home Depot, and all your favorite restaurants and fast food joints, making it one of the most affordable cities in Florida that also has access to all of these stores and services. But, each major city in Florida is a bit different. Illinois's overall crime rate (property and violent crime combined) places the state just inside the bottom 25 states with the highest rates, according to FBI reporting. Thanks. Housing expenses are 33% lower whereas food and grocery prices are 7% higher than the national average. In the center of town, you can find a Publix at the Lynn Haven Shopping Center, which is also across from a Walmart. Gainesvilleis an ideal destination when youre searching for that affordable big town feel. I just hope you dont mind making a bunch of U-turns- The Cape as locals call it- In the northeast Hillsborough County of Florida between Tampa and Lakeland sits Plant City which was once called Ichepucksassa. Its median home value, however, remains in the middle of the pack compared to the rest of the country. Hi Chrissy, we update the article(including the data) frequently as required. While the cost of living in Florida is far from lowest, it's considerably cheaper overall than Illinois. For cheaper options, you may consider Ocala and Lakeland too. A: Florida is famous for its warm climate, beach resorts, amusement parks and so many other attractions. It is only 1 hour by car from Fort Myers and 1.5 hours from Tampa. Meanwhile, Arcadias central location makes it an attractive city to consider to be close to some of Floridas biggest cities. 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. If you are planning to move to Florida, Jacksonville may be a perfect financial destination. Visit an extraordinary vintage antique store on Main Street. Job opportunities are skyrocketing in Gainesville. Housing expenses, utility prices, and healthcare in Cape Coral are lower than the national average. Rent in Monmouth is the seventh cheapest statewide, with a median price tag of $580. Cape Coral Nearby Sightseeing The year-round sunny weather is perfect for people looking to soak up some rays. Port Charlotte is an amazing place to live with low taxes and a median housing price of $166,600. Hello I am a single mom with 3 kids looking for a kid friendly safe neighborhood but something very affordable with good paying jobs. That was before Americans flocked to the state over the last few years and caused home and rent prices to surge. It has not been verified or approved by the developer or association. On your budget, you can leave peacefully in Gainesville. Moreover, it is safe and offers plenty of outdoor activities. Housing, grocery, transportation, and health expenses are lower than the state average as well as the national average. What is the best state to retire in 2020? Your income and spending is very low. The housing market here is even crazier right now with houses that are appraising at $225,000, selling for over $450,000. 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. 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. 2023 Compare Cities Cost of Living:Chicago, IL vs Miami, FL. Melbourne is considered 6% safer than USA cities, you have 1 in 35 chances of becoming a victim of property crime. Ill take this info, do other comparable searches including crime rates, COL, average age etc and hope for the best! 1) Which state has a lower overall cost of living, Illinois or Florida? The quality of education can vary from school to school even within the same district in the same state. Locations are then indexed against this number. You can visit Honeymoon Island State Park Dog Beach, a popular dog beach in Florida. 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. The Bayou state is the 6th best state for retiring on a budget. I moved to SW Florida in 1994. 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. Miami housing costs are 36.8% more expensive than Chicago housing costs. Yes, its safe statistically with a lower crime rate. The lowest-cost silver plan, the MDWise Marketplace Silver Basic, costs $3,432 a year with its higher-than-average monthly premium of $286. If youre a beach lover, you are lucky to own a house in Jacksonville. Walmart offers the most employment opportunity to the residents of Plant City. I currently pay $1850 for 3 bedroom apartment but have lived in my place for 3 years and its about to go up another $200 this Aug 22. Average house is 350k, houses are renting at 2-2500 and apartments arent much cheaper than that. The average rent of a 2 bedroom home in Quincy is around $1500. Thats the part Im struggling with is leaving ct and running out of money. To find the area-specific jobs you can check My Florida Jobs, or Indeed. The median home value here is around $130,500, less than the national average. Illinois ranks as having the 41rst strongest economy based on better business environment, lower. Fellsmere made our list based on its excellent scores for housing costs and crime. 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. Fort Meade offers several outdoor recreation activities like canoeing and kayaking. 2 spot with 10 cities out of 100 cheapest rents in the nation. The only difference is rather than complaining about the cold and snow in Illinois, youll complain about the heat and humidity in Florida. But there are also some people who regret moving to Florida. You have given me so much information; the cities you mentioned appear to be more affordable than the West Coast. Thanks. 3. Two weeks before you move, visit your local post office (it doesn't have to be in Tampa), complete a change-of-address card or do it online. I always want to experience blood-curdling thrills like cemeteries, lighthouses, closed schools, theaters, and many more. Fort Worth, on the 65th spot, has an average rent of $1,341 per month with almost a million residents. 7. When it comes to used car sales, Florida tends to has the cheapest prices. 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. If youre looking for affordable, small-town feel, Edgewater could be the best option for you. With 400 miles of canals, the city is also known as Waterfront Wonderland. 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. Although, Im trying to write about other cities, but as of now you can search the cost of living in x city on Google. But, what about the attractions in the city itself? Groceries can be slightly pricier, but overall you will see a significant reduction in cost while living in Gainesville. The nearest beach is also only about an hour away around Sarasota. Wyoming. It makes the dream of home ownership farther and farther away.