With its tropical climate, laid-back vibe, and top amenities, it’s little wonder that Delray Beach is one of America’s most enviable addresses. Residents enjoy access to 2 miles of public beach, top restaurants and nightspots along East Atlantic Avenue, and vibrant street festivals along Atlantic Avenue. But before you hire the movers, consider the cost of living in Delray Beach, Florida.

How expensive is an apartment in Delray Beach?

The cost of monthly apartment rentals in Delray Beach varies depending on their size and location. Large, multiroom apartments typically cost more than smaller studios. The closer to the beach an apartment is, the more you can expect to pay. Delray Beach is only a 50-minute drive away from Hobe Sound, one of Florida’s most affordable beach towns, so you may want to expand your search to include it, too.

According to figures from Zumper at the time of writing, studio apartments in Delray Beach have a median monthly rent of $1,295. Expect to pay around $1,550 a month for a larger one-bedroom apartment. Choose a two-bedroom apartment in Delray Beach and the median monthly rent rises to $1,870. Prices jump dramatically for three-bedroom apartments, with the median monthly cost sitting at $2,850. A four-bedroom apartment in Delray Beach costs around $3,550 per month.

What is the cheapest rent in Delray Beach?

The cheapest rent in Delray Beach is currently around $1,100. Properties with rent this low are usually simple and located several minutes away from the beach in the Kings Point neighborhood. Most have one bedroom and one bathroom, although there are a few options with two bedrooms and two bathrooms at this price.

How do I find cheap apartments in Delray Beach?

Heading to Zumper is one of the easiest ways to find cheap apartments in Delray Beach. Filter your search to show apartments priced between $0 and a small monthly rent, such as $1,300, to see the city’s cheapest apartments. You can also filter your results further to show only apartments that meet your needs, such as apartments with one bedroom or apartments that welcome cats. Note that filtering the price already limits your choices, so adding too many extra filters may not present any results. If you can’t see any results with your essential criteria, consider expanding your price range.

What are the taxes in Delray Beach?

Sales and income tax also impact the cost of living. The general sales tax in Florida is 18% higher than the national average. However, Florida is one of only seven states that doesn’t impose a state income tax on its residents. You’ll still need to pay the federal income tax, of course, but without the state income tax to pay, it’s likely you’ll increase your earnings in Delray Beach.

What else should I consider about the Delray Beach cost of living?

Of course, the cost of housing is just one expense to consider when you’re moving to Delray Beach. Best Places takes a broader view, which helps you understand how much living in Delray Beach really costs.

Best Places gives Delray Beach a Cost of Living Index of 102.6. The national average is 100, so Delray Beach is slightly more expensive than other American cities. However, Florida has a cost-of-living index of 102.8. That means that living in Delray Beach will cost you a little less than it will in some of the state’s other cities. If you already live in Florida, moving to Delray Beach could actually save you money.

Best Places then gives Delray Beach further indexes for other common expenses. The cost-of-living index for food and groceries is 105.9, compared to the Florida cost-of-living index of 102.8 for food and groceries. Gas, car insurance, and public transport fares are also expensive in Delray Beach. Best Places considered all these factors before giving Delray Beach a cost-of-living index for transport of 125.2. That’s even higher than Florida’s cost-of-living index of 112.6 for transport.

Not everything is more expensive in Delray Beach though. Its cost-of-living index for health sits at 98.1, only slightly above the Florida index. Whether you only need routine dental care and checkups or you have chronic health conditions, the low cost of health care provides real peace of mind. Utilities are also affordable, with a cost-of-living index for utilities in Delray Beach of 97.1. That’s well below the Florida index of 101.3.

How can I save money in Delray Beach?

Finding a cheap rental is just one way to save money in Delray Beach. There are plenty of ways to save money in the city so you can reduce the cost of Delray Beach living, while still taking advantage of many of the city’s perks.

Make smart choices when you shop to save. Aldi isn’t flashy, but its groceries are much cheaper than those at other local grocery outlets, including Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Aldi claims its groceries are up to 50% cheaper than traditional supermarkets, so you could save plenty by forgoing recognizable products for the European chain’s own brands.

Delray Beach has plenty of cheap restaurants off the tourist trail. Read independent Delray Beach reviews to find the best places to eat in your budget. Many restaurants also offer lunch specials. Eating out in the middle of the day, rather than at night, can save you plenty.

Parking in downtown Delray Beach’s public garages is free before 4 p.m., so arrive early to save yourself the $5 flat fee. There’s also no charge for Sunday parking. Alternatively, make use of Freebee, a free on-demand door-to-door transport service.

Delray Beach also has many free and affordable entertainment options. Access to the municipal beach is free, although parking costs $1.50 for up to three hours. It also costs nothing to look for birds at Wakodahatchee Wetlands or admire the original works at the Pineapple Grove Arts District.

Delray Beach has a higher cost of living than the national average, but that’s not unexpected for an up-and-coming coastal community. Delray Beach offers a high quality of life that makes those extra expenses worthwhile.

Browse Delray apartments for rent on Zumper and get excited to live in this coastal community.

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