It’s the dream of every homeowner to find an affordable but safe place to live in the highly competitive real estate market of Florida. By Jun 2025, the average home price in Florida was recorded at $384,811, realizing a drop of 4.3% year-over-year. The decrease in home values tells us that it’s a suitable time for potential buyers or investors to purchase a house. However, for families or retirees who want to build a home, safety and a friendly community environment are even more important considerations.
In this blog, we’ll explore the best places to safest and cheapest places to live in Florida based on these factors. So, let’s discover these spots.
Looking to buy a home in Florida? Contact Quality Properties of Northwest Florida LLC to get help with selecting and purchasing the affordable and safe housing options.
How to Find the Cheapest and Safest Place to live in Florida?
You can find the most affordable and secure housing options in Florida by using online real estate platforms, such as Zillow and Redfin. Make a list of places and then search the real estate trends using online sites and check violent or property crime rates across selected areas. If you want a family home, you should also analyze the standard of schools and colleges in the chosen location.
Affordable Places to Live in Florida: Top Picks
Here is the list of safest and most affordable places to live in Florida.
Macro Island
Macro Island is the largest barrier island in Southwest Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands area. It offers diverse natural habitats, exciting outdoor activities, and wonderful waterfront restaurants. It’s a coastal heaven for tourists and one can build a beautiful home on this island to live a peaceful life while enjoying the beauty of stunning beaches. Best of all, it is ranked #1 safest city in Florida for the second consecutive year.
- Violent Crime Rate Per 1,000 Residents: In 2025, the crime rate is recorded at just 0.7 down from 0.8 in 2024
- Property Crime Rate: The property crime rate also decreased from 5.2 (2024) to 4.0 in 2025
- Average Home Value: The median sales price of a home in Macro Island was $997,500 in Jun 2025
- Benefits: Tranquil small-town feel, good schools, coastal luxury
Parkland
Parkland is a suburb of Fort Lauderdale with a population of 35,799. Parkland is in Broward County and is considered one of the best places to live in Florida. It offers a rural feel, outdoor activities (such as parks), and coffee shops.
- Violent Crime Rate Per 1,000 Residents: In 2025, the crime rate is recorded at 0.26
- Property Crime Rate: The property crime rate is 5.36
- Average Home Value: The median sales price of a home in Parkland was $1268,000
- Benefits: Welcoming community, safe suburban oasis, excellent schools
Weston
It is a master-planned city in Broward County with a population of 68,107. It is just west of Fort Lauderdale and 31 miles northwest of Miami. Weston, FL is a suitable place to raise a family, as it provides a safe environment.
- Violent Crime Rate Per 1,000 Residents: Violent crime rate is recorded at 1.22
- Property Crime Rate: The property crime rate is 5.03, which is also on the lower side
- Average Home Value: The median sales price of a home in Lexington was $960,000
- Benefits: Best schools, master-planned community, upscale neighborhoods
Winter Springs
Winter Springs is known for its family-friendly environment, well-maintained parks, and buzzing town center. It offers reputable schools, safe neighborhoods, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
- Violent Crime Rate Per 1,000 Residents: The violent crime rate in Winter Springs is 1.22
- Property Crime Rate: The property crime rate is 6.58
- Average Home Value: The average sales price of a home is $445,000
- Benefits: Parks, town centers, and welcoming community
Pensacola
Searching for cheapest places to live in Florida? Visit Pensacola as it’s a calm, secure, and affordable place to reside. It is known as a “Cradle of Naval Aviation” due to the presence of Naval Air Station and reputed for world’s whitest beaches.
- Violent Crime Rate Per 1,000 Residents: 1.2
- Property Crime Rate: 11.2
- Average Home Value: The median sale price of a home is $281,500
- Benefits: White sand beaches, affordable housing, and quality schools
Safety Harbor
It provides a small-town atmosphere, historic downtown, waterfront parks, and wonderful Safety Harbor Resort & Spa. Safety Harbor is also known for its artistic community, vibrant markets, and nearness to Tampa Bay.
- Violent Crime Rate Per 1,000 Residents: 0.9 (2025)
- Property Crime Rate: 5.8 (2025)
- Average Home Value: The median sales price of a home is $563,000
- Benefits: Beautiful resorts, waterfront parks, and buzzing markets
Dunedin
Dunedin offers one of the best dining options in Tampa Bay, world class league baseball, enriched cultural heritage, and #1 Beach in America.
- Violent Crime Rate Per 1,000 Residents: 0.9 (2025)
- Property Crime Rate: 7.8 (2025)
- Average Home Value: The average sales price of a home is $400,000
- Benefits: High quality schools, cultural diversity, best dining, and sports activities
Wildwood
The Crossroads of Florida – Wildwood is a historically rural community and a suitable place for retirees to live.
- Violent Crime Rate Per 1,000 Residents: 1.0 (2025)
- Property Crime Rate: 6.8 (2025)
- Average Home Value: The median sales price of a home is $339,000
Table 1: Safest and Cheapest Places to Live in Florida 2025
| City / Town | Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000) 2025 | Property Crime Rate (per 1,000) 2025 | Average Home Value (2025) |
| Macro Island | 0.7 | 4.0 | $997,500 |
| Parkland | 0.26 | 6.1 | $1268,000 |
| Weston | 0.46 | 9.1 | $960,000 |
| Winter Springs | 1.22 | 11.6 | $445,000 |
| Safety Harbor | 0.9 | 9.6 | $563,000 |
| Wildwood | 1.0 | 9.9 | $339,000 |
| Dunedin | 0.9 | 12.4 | $400,000 |
| Pensacola | 1.2 | 12.8 | $281,500 |
Sources: SafeWise 2025 Report & Redfin
Final Words
Finding the safest and cheapest places to live in Florida is not an easy task. With the list mentioned in this blog, you can easily explore your options and research the perfect spot to call home. While choosing a place, always check out the crime rates, housing prices, and quality of education. It would help you make a better decision.
Ready to buy a house in Florida? Contact Quality Properties of Northwest Florida LLC to get a free advice today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest but safest place to live in Florida?
With an average home price of $281,500 and lower crime rate of 1.2, Pensacola stands out as the perfect option to build your new home in Florida.
Where is the cheapest place to live in Florida on the coast?
Pensacola is again the best spot which is known for its beautiful white beaches.
Which is the best city to live in Florida?
Parkland, Weston, and Macro Island are one of the best cities to live in Florida, thanks to their lower crime rates and world-class schools.
