Every year, more than 120 million tourists visit Florida. But what if you didn’t have to pack up a suitcase and return after vacation? What if you could live every day in the Sunshine State? Florida is a surprisingly cheap place to live, and the cost of living is lower than in many states. Get to know some of the cheapest towns in Florida before you pick the one to call home.

Edgewater, Volusia County

Nestled between Daytona Beach and Cape Canaveral, Edgewater is an affordable option for people who want to be close to the beach without paying a premium. It’s a suburban small town with a thriving economy and affordable property. The Median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $900, well below the national monthly median of $1,097. Many of the cheapest properties are around Edgewater North. The median household income is $49,693, although some professionals earn more. For example, the average salary for residents in architecture and engineering is $117,743, well above the state median household income of $59,227.

Several local fishing charters run out of Edgewater, so it’s a great place for anglers to call home. Orlando is also just an hour away, the perfect distance for day trips, and one of the best places to live in Florida.

Jacksonville, Duval County

You don’t need to travel for entertainment when you make Jacksonville your home. The state’s most populous and well-appointed city is also one of its most affordable. Median monthly rents for studio apartments are just $780, while one-bedroom apartments will set you back around $945, both well below the state average. Local neighborhoods, including Grand Park, Kennel Club, and San Jose, offer really cheap living in Florida. Despite the low rents, Jacksonville’s wages are competitive, with a median household income of $54,269. People working in computers, math, architecture, engineering, and legal jobs typically make more than $60,000.

Finding ways to spend your leisure time in Jacksonville is easy. The city is home to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, and Little Talbot Island State Park as well as numerous galleries, sporting venues, and restaurants. Leading events, including the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, WasabiCon, and Winterfest, all add to the fun.

Bartow, Polk County

The median household income of $46,850 may make you pause initially, but the county seat of Polk County is actually one of the best cheap places to live in Florida. Monthly median rents for one-bedroom apartments cost $800, and health and transport costs are less than the state and national averages. You may make much more than the average resident of Bartow if you work in one of the city’s most lucrative industries. For example, the average legal worker makes $121,364 in Bartow, while health practitioners make $51,071.

Bartow’s beautiful architecture and prominent sites delight history buffs. Make sure you check out Wonder House and the Polk County History Center to learn more about the past. Mary Holland Park and Mosaic Peace River Park both have walking trails and unique flora and fauna for you to discover.

Quincy, Gadsden County

Quincy’s median household salary of $35,509 seems low at first, but when you start crunching the numbers, you realize it can be an incredible option for your family. With two-bedroom apartments costing a monthly median of $800, Quincy has some of the most affordable housing in Florida. While some jobs have low salaries, many sectors pay their employees handsomely. The average salary for law enforcement professionals is $123,193. For health practitioners, it’s $70,750. Both of these salaries are above the state average for their industries.

Quincy is a charming town with a historic downtown district and thriving arts community anchored by the Gadsden Arts Center and North Florida Arts Trail. The city is also just 20 minutes west of Tallahassee and its restaurants, parks, museums, and famous natural-habitat zoo.

Macclenny, Baker County

Macclenny caters to families rather than singles, so studios and one-bedroom apartments are rare. However, you’ll find some nice cheap places to live here among its multiroom apartments. The median monthly rent for two-bedroom apartments here is $949, while a three-bedroom place should only cost you around $1,150 a month. Incomes are reasonable given the low cost of living, with median household earnings at $49,458 per year. However, people working in management, maintenance and repairs, or as firefighters or health technicians can easily make more than that on their own.

The small town of Macclenny, located close to the Florida-Georgia border, is a bit of an undiscovered gem. Families and history buffs love stepping back in time at Heritage Park Village. Macclenny is also home to the Crooked Rooster Brewery and restaurants that pride themselves on Southern hospitality and American comfort food. The beaches of Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Daytona Beach are also just a short drive away.

Live Oak, Suwannee County

It’s a similar story in Live Oak, where the incredibly low cost of living easily offsets smaller household incomes. You won’t mind making the median household income of $39,827 when you can secure a two-bedroom apartment for a monthly median price of $578. Even three-bedroom apartments have a monthly median of $950, well below the state average for monthly rental costs. There are also some very high-paying local jobs, especially for managers and health practitioners.

Live Oak is a small, friendly town with great recreational facilities. Enjoy canoeing or kayaking in the Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers bordering the city, or explore the hiking trails at Suwannee Music Park.

When you’re ready to move to the Sunshine State or find a more affordable Florida property to call home, search for your perfect place on Zumper.

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