5 Cheapest Beach Towns in Florida
Pristine beaches, vibrant culture, tropical weather and relative affordability lured generations of Americans to Florida for decades — and then the pandemic happened.
In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, so many job-hoppers, retirees and newly liberated remote workers flocked to the Sunshine State that in 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that Florida had become the country’s fastest-growing state for the first time since 1957.
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Naturally, the law of supply and demand worked its magic, and prices started rising as quickly as transplants flooded in. That, combined with a home insurance crisis and other state-specific factors, has transformed the dream of the Florida beach life into a nightmare of affordability — mostly.
The good news is that there are still a handful of beach communities that deliver all the magic that lured the masses to America’s third most populous state, without the expenses that have forced so many to reconsider their move.
The Steep Cost of Living in Paradise
In April, Florida TaxWatch issued a mid-decade check-in on the state's cost-of-living crisis, concluding that the first half of the 2020s was a watershed moment. Living costs have nearly quintupled compared to the 2010s, dramatically outpacing not just Florida’s historical trends but those of the Southern region as a whole.
Housing is the primary culprit, but groceries, childcare and utilities have also become much less affordable much more quickly. Soaring housing costs, property taxes and insurance premiums have made Florida among the most expensive places to live in the South, with insurance and property taxes alone dumping five-figure annual bills on the typical homeowner.
Even so, a handful of cities with immediate beach proximity still boast average home values well under $300,000, offering six-figure savings compared to the typical home in both Florida and the country as a whole.
1. Daytona Beach
Average home value: $250,051
33.8% below the Florida average
32.5% below the U.S. average
Known for its racing roots, party culture and year-round entertainment, Daytona Beach features 23 miles of white-sand beaches that are open 24/7, with free access for pedestrians and, in designated areas, drivers.
2. Pensacola
Average home value: $267,121
29.3% below the Florida average
27.9% below the U.S. average
Located in Florida’s western Panhandle, Pensacola offers 18 miles of nationally ranked white, sugar-sand beaches, along with 343 days of sunshine and an average temperature of 75 degrees. Its emerald-green waters average about 72 degrees.
3. Fort Pierce
Average home value: $278,709
26.2% below the Florida average
24.7% below the U.S. average
Located on Florida’s southern Atlantic coast, just north of the pricier Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce provides access to more than a dozen highly rated beaches, parks and barrier islands. Highlights include Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, a 340-acre destination for surfing, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving.
4. Titusville
Average home value: $274,454
27.3% below the Florida average
25.9% below the U.S. average
Titusville, located east of Orlando along Florida’s central Atlantic coast, sits in the heart of the Space Coast. Residents can watch rocket launches from the beach and experience nighttime bioluminescence while kayaking. Top nearby beaches include Playalinda Beach, Canaveral National Seashore and Klondike Beach.
5. Deerfield Beach
Average home value: $273,836
27.5% below the Florida average
26.1% below the U.S. average
Situated between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Deerfield Beach has earned the Blue Wave Beach designation from the Clean Beach Council, recognizing beaches with excellent water quality, safety standards and environmental efforts.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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