While major Florida cities like Miami and Tampa have median home prices exceeding $500,000, affordable housing exists in other regions. There are still parts of Florida where you can buy a home for under $100,000 — and in some cases, live near the Gulf Coast with a monthly mortgage payment below $600. Use our home affordability calculator to see what fits your budget.
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10 Cheapest Places to Buy a House in Florida (2026)
Lafayette County
Median Home Price: $129,350 | Monthly Payment: $740
Small, rural north-central county with 8,000 residents. County seat is Mayo. Rural counties like Lafayette may qualify for USDA loans with zero down payment.
Hardee County
Median Home Price: $127,190 | Monthly Payment: $720
Central Florida location with county seat in Wauchula. Historically significant phosphate mining region.
Liberty County
Median Home Price: $115,590 | Monthly Payment: $660
Florida's least populous county in the Big Bend region. Bristol is the county seat.
Glades County
Median Home Price: $112,840 | Monthly Payment: $640
Located in the Florida Heartland. Moore Haven is the county seat on Lake Okeechobee.
Jackson County
Median Home Price: $111,950 | Monthly Payment: $640
Panhandle county established in 1822. Marianna is the county seat.
Hamilton County
Median Home Price: $108,510 | Monthly Payment: $620
North Central Florida established in 1827. Jasper is the county seat. The Suwannee River forms a natural boundary.
Madison County
Median Home Price: $104,090 | Monthly Payment: $590
North-central region. Madison is the county seat, named after the fourth U.S. president.
Holmes County
Median Home Price: $99,660 | Monthly Payment: $570
Panhandle county. Bonifay is the county seat.
Taylor County
Median Home Price: $98,480 | Monthly Payment: $560
Big Bend location. Perry is the county seat, known as the "Tree Capital of the South."
Dixie County
Median Home Price: $95,240 | Monthly Payment: $540
Big Bend and Gulf Coast region. Cross City is the county seat. The Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge provides outdoor opportunities.
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Cheapest Places to Live Near Miami, Florida
Closest/Most Affordable Balance: Broward County with approximately $476,900 median and $2,720 average rent.
More Affordable Alternatives: Hendry County and Okeechobee County, both under $190,000 median with approximately $1,000 rent.
Most Budget-Friendly: Glades County at $112,840 median with $640 estimated payment (more rural).
Cheapest Places to Live Near Jacksonville, Florida
Central Location: Duval County (Jacksonville) with approximately $332,480 median and $1,910 rent.
Nearby Affordable Options: Clay County at $349,650 and Nassau County at $425,680.
More Budget-Friendly: Putnam County at $157,460 median with $960 rent, and Baker County at $232,750 with $1,350 rent.
Cheapest Places to Live Near Tampa, Florida
Central Location: Hillsborough County (Tampa) with approximately $408,390 median and $2,330 rent.
Closer Affordable Options: Polk County at $309,760 and Pasco County at $348,090.
More Budget-Friendly: Hernando County at $314,480 and Citrus County at $274,030 with $1,680 rent. If you're not ready to buy, consider rent-to-own programs in Florida as a path to ownership.
Cheapest Places to Live Near The Ocean
Most Affordable Coastal: Dixie County at $95,240 median with $540 payment, and Taylor County at $98,480 with $560 payment.
Moderately Affordable Coastal: Franklin County at $249,950 and Levy County at $168,470.
Coastal with More Amenities: Bay County at $331,150 and Citrus County at $274,030.
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Affordable Florida Homeownership Is Still Possible
Despite Florida's luxury reputation, homeownership remains achievable. Combining lower prices with grants and programs for Florida first-time buyers, first-time homebuyer loan programs, FHA financing, or zero-down options makes ownership even more achievable. Most buyers qualify for at least one assistance program — review the requirements to buy a house in Florida to get started.
Home prices and payments reflect Q4 2025 to Q1 2026 median sales data, assuming a 30-year fixed mortgage at prevailing market rates. Sources include Zillow, Redfin, FHFA, and Freddie Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions
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