The 6 Most Affordable Beach Towns in Florida
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Nicholas Morine
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Florida has always been a top destination for travelers and homebuyers. But over recent years, there’s been an influx of people moving to the Sunshine State, hoping to live along its stunning coastline at an affordable price. However, this outcome has also helped drive up home prices.
In some Florida cities, home prices have increased by more than 50% from 2020 to 2023, as previously reported by GOBankingRates. Luckily, some coastal areas haven’t seen such dramatic price increases. Here are some of the most affordable beach towns in Florida.
1. Cedar Key
- Median home sale price (February 2024 ): $340,000
Home and hotel prices in Cedar Key are more affordable than you’d think.
Last year, Upgraded Points named the little island community the most affordable beach vacation destination in the U.S. Located in Levy County — along the Gulf of Mexico about 130 miles north of Tampa — visitors to Cedar Key can expect to pay about $1,330 per week for a beachfront house averaging $189 per night, or a hotel for $191 per night.
2. Deerfield Beach
- Median home sale price (February 2024 ): $275,000
Located between Palm Beach and Miami, Deerfield Beach was named one of Realtor.com’s 10 most affordable beach towns for homebuyers in 2022. According to Travel + Leisure, what makes Deerfield Beach a great vacation home destination is the variety of activities, natural beauty — and resort-style amenities available to people of all ages.
“There’s lots of variety when it comes to homes, with more expensive homes right on the water and less expensive options further inland,” Clare Trapasso, Realtor.com’s executive news editor, told Travel + Leisure.
3. Daytona Beach
- Median home sale price (February 2024 ): $298,000
Daytona Beach, located along the east coast of Florida, was named on Thrillist’s recent list of towns where you can afford to buy a beach house. While the publication noted that it costs nearly twice as much as it may have five years ago, it’s cheap compared to most of Florida. Daytona offers a quiet beach escape with access to big-city amenities. The area also plans to change its spring break image to something a little more high-end.
4. Pensacola
- Median home sale price (February 2024 ): $280,000
Pensacola is a coastal town in Florida’s Panhandle, offering its residents affordable living by the waterfront. According to The Travel, Pensacola is 13% more affordable than other cities thanks to its low housing prices, low-cost options for fun, and deals on drinks and food at beach bars and beachfront restaurants. Pensacola is even becoming popular among second-home buyers looking for affordable alternatives to some of the more expensive communities along the coast, The Wall Street Journal reported.
5. Fort Pierce
- Median home sale price (February 2024 ): $289,900
Located along the Treasure Coast of Florida, Fort Pierce is known as the Sunrise City and is a popular destination among retirees and middle-aged couples looking for a more relaxed and affordable lifestyle along the coast, Rent Own Sell reported. The coastal town has beautiful public beaches, an active downtown, restaurants, an aquarium and a wildlife boat tour.
6. Titusville
- Median home sale price (February 2024 ): $300,000
Titusville, Florida is located on the eastern coast of Florida and is a little under an hour’s drive away from Orlando. A study from NewHomeSource.com ranked Titusvile as the most affordable city in Florida for homeowners. Titusville is the home of the Kennedy Space Center and near the scenic Canaveral National Seashore.
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