Why is Florida real estate so cheap?
Florida houses also tend to be smaller in size than other homes in different states. As these properties are smaller, median property prices will be lower as well. Additionally, houses for sale in Florida tend to be older homes. This factor contributes to the lower property prices as well.
Taxes are lower compared to many states, with no state income tax and reasonable rates for property (0.83%), corporate (5.5%), and sales taxes (7.01%). Plus, smaller towns offer more budget-friendly housing options. On the flip side, larger cities like Miami and Tampa can stretch your budget.
Affordable property prices: Compared to other states like California, property prices in Florida are relatively affordable, which can make it an attractive option for real estate investors. This can lead to strong returns on investment and can make it easier for investors to purchase multiple properties.
The cost of living in Florida is 1% higher than the national average. Housing is 4% higher than the national average, while utilities are 1% higher. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 2% lower than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs 2% lower.
Yes, Florida is considered to be a good state for real estate investment. The state has relatively low taxes and a large population with strong rental demand.
What is a livable salary in Florida? MIT's Living Wage Calculator says a livable salary for a single person in Florida with no children is about $36,000 before taxes.
Florida's popularity soared during the pandemic, with people seeking warmer climates and cheaper living costs. The result was a frenzied housing market that saw prices rise by almost 50% over three years. Although demand is beginning to wane, housing affordability has been severely impacted.
Atlanta and Detroit are the nation's two most overvalued housing markets, but Florida is the state where prices are well out of line with historical trends, according to a new report from researchers at Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University.
All in all, Florida is a great place to buy a house due to its favorable climate, low cost of living, and Florida's affordable real estate market. Florida property taxes are also among the lowest in America. Residents have no shortage of things to do, from theme parks to world-famous beaches.
What is the housing market like right now? In June 2023, home prices in Florida were down 0.35% compared to last year, selling for a median price. On average, the number of homes sold was down 9.55% year over year and there were 38,045 homes sold in June this year, down 42,061 homes sold in June last year.
Which side of Florida is cheaper to live?
- The cheapest place to live in Flordia is Jacksonville. ...
- The second cheapest place to live in Florida is Cape Coral, a city located in the southwestern part of the state. ...
- Gainesville is an affordable city in the northern central part of Florida. ...
- Dade City is another one of the cheapest places to live in Florida.
The first factor that is used to determine how much house you can afford in Florida is your income. Generally, you should be able to afford no more than three times your annual salary on a house. So if you make $100,000 a year, you should look for houses that cost around $300,000.
Cape Coral: Known as the “Waterfront Wonderland,” this charming town is not only one of Florida's most affordable places but it is also one of the safest. Located in the southwestern part of the state near Fort Meyers, Cape Coral has an intricate system of canals which allow its residents to always be near the water.
The 50% rule or 50 rule in real estate says that half of the gross income generated by a rental property should be allocated to operating expenses when determining profitability. The rule is designed to help investors avoid the mistake of underestimating expenses and overestimating profits.
Minimum Down Payment | $50,000 |
---|---|
Closing Costs | $7,396 |
Estimated Cash Needed to Close | $57,396 |
Recommended Cash Reserve | $8,795 |
Total Recommended Savings | $66,191 |
To buy a house in Florida, one of the main concerns for first-time homebuyers is their credit score. But, the good news is that you can still qualify for a mortgage with a score as low as 580, depending on the loan type and lender you choose.
As of Aug 11, 2023, the average hourly pay for a Hourly Rate in Florida is $15.68 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $28.68 and as low as $7.22, the majority of Hourly Rate salaries currently range between $11.92 (25th percentile) to $19.52 (75th percentile) in Florida.
$50k is pretty good. It really depends on location. Just like any state there is a broad range of population density from ultra urban, like Miami with pockets of the ultra rich like Palm Beach or Marco Island to the ultra rural like the ranches scattered across the middle of the state.
The average rent in Florida is $1,790, which is higher than the national average of $1,468. In terms of the cost of living, Florida is more expensive compared to the national average.
' The state's affordability crisis is attributed primarily to skyrocketing housing costs and soaring home insurance rates. Housing costs in the state are up a whopping 16% since last year, versus a 7.8% increase in the rest of the country.
Why people are moving out of Florida?
Between its beaches and warm climate, there's a reason why it was the number one state that people moved to in 2022. Yet, Florida gets a lot of flack too — raised rents, recent unruly hurricane seasons, and constant political turmoil complete with controversial new laws.
Ultra-wealthy people looking for a tax break and an escape from winter have been flocking to Florida for years.
As per Zillow's Florida housing market forecast, the national Zillow home value index rose by 4.4% in February 2023. Over the next year, it is expected to rise by 0.6%. NAR predicts 4.78 million existing home sales in 2023.
Florida's housing market is expected to remain strong in 2023 and 2024, with continued demand for homes and steady price growth.
Metro Area | Percent Above Value |
---|---|
10. Palm Bay, Fla. | 39.9% |
11. Miami, Fla. | 38.9% |
12. Jacksonville, Fla. | 38.4% |
13. Orlando, Fla. | 38.2% |
1. Spring Hill. Spring Hill, in Hernando County on the central west coast of Florida, is the best place to buy a home in Florida, based on our analysis. A suburb of Tampa, the typical home value is $243,145, which is 22.9% below the average home prices for the cities in our study.
Average Cost to Buy a House in Florida
Overall, the average cost of homes for sale in Florida is $406,988, with an average price per square foot of around $207. Therefore, it's currently more expensive on average to buy an existing home in Florida than it is to build a house.
FL broker says real estate market has 'cooled down a bit,' shifted towards buyer's market after SVB collapse.
Severe damage can lead to decreased property values after hurricanes, as homes may require significant repairs or even complete rebuilding. This can result in decreased demand and reduced market activity in affected areas.
Using 2021 data, the Bureau of Economic Analysis found that the average total personal consumption cost in Florida is $50,689 per year. Here's how that breaks down. That translates to about $4,224 per person, per month.
Will mortgage rates go down in 2024?
The Mortgage Bankers Association: The D.C.-based trade group projects that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate will average 5.9% in Q4 2023. Beyond this year, the group expects mortgage rates to slide to 4.9% by Q4 2024.
The bottom line is Florida is a far less expensive state to live in than California because it has less expensive homes, lower sales tax on things you buy, and lower income taxes on money you earn.
While Florida is often considered a popular retirement destination due to its warm climate and lack of state income tax, it isn't the absolute cheapest state to spend your golden years in.
It found that Florida saw a net influx of 20,263 households earning over $200,000 a year—nearly four times how many high-earners decamped to Texas, the second-most popular destination.
In that regard, older Californians are just following an old and well-trodden path: With its low sales tax and no state personal income tax, cheaper housing and all-around lower cost of living, Florida has been a magnet for older Americans going back a century or more.
Study: California Ranks as 4th Happiest State — Well Ahead of Texas and Florida.
Pros of Living in Florida | Cons of Living in Florida |
---|---|
Affordable housing | Florida is prone to natural disasters |
Florida is diverse | You'll need a car while living in Florida |
Great job market | The heat and humidity |
Access to the beach | The landscape is completely flat |
Using 2021 data, the Bureau of Economic Analysis found that the average total personal consumption cost in Florida is $50,689 per year. Here's how that breaks down. That translates to about $4,224 per person, per month.
Orlando residents need to make about $83,000 a year to avoid being "rent burdened," according to April 2023 data from Zillow's Observed Rent Index. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development considers someone "rent burdened" if they spend more than 30% of their annual income toward rent.
For people who can't afford the rent in Florida but need to live there, they can turn to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for resources, such as public housing agencies, an eviction prevention toolkit, Federal tax credit housing assistance, and other resources that can either offset the costs ...
What is the most unaffordable state to live in?
According to several studies on cost of living, Hawaii is the most expensive U.S. state to live in.
In Florida, a resident needs to make at least $26.38 per hour to be able to afford a 2-bedroom rental home, according to the NLIHC. That number is an increase of $1.56 an hour from last year's report. At the state's minimum wage of $10 per hour, that means a person needs to work at least 2.6 full-time jobs.
The Census tracked state-to-state migration flows in the 2021 1-year American Community Survey and found that 674,740 people moved into Florida, up from 601,611 in 2019. New York saw the biggest jump in people leaving a state and moving to Florida — 91,758, up from 57,488 in 2019.
We need to point out that the neighborhood of Port Royal in Naples is considered one of the most wealthy areas in the U.S.! It has the most millionaires per capita than any other city in Florida. Town skyline of Naples, Florida, USA before sunrise.
The state offers a warm and sunny climate, a significant draw for many older adults looking to enjoy their retirement years in a comfortable environment. Additionally, Florida has a low state tax rate and a relatively low cost of living, making it a cost-effective place for retirees to live.
References
- https://www.noradarealestate.com/blog/projected-interest-rates-in-5-years/
- https://embracesomeplace.com/living-in-florida-moving/
- https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/buying-home-during-recession/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/11/real-estate-expert-mortgage-rates-wont-go-back-down-to-3-percent.html
- https://www.miamiherald.com/money/benefits-of-moving-to-florida/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/26/cheapest-us-states-to-retire-in.html
- https://www.homelight.com/blog/buyer-how-much-are-closing-costs-in-florida/
- https://theamericanonews.com/floricua/2023/07/17/why-did-it-become-so-expensive-floridas-high-costs-are-pushing-residents-to-the-brink/
- https://www.joysullivan.com/blog/2020/10/hurricaneshelprealestate
- https://moreirateam.com/florida/florida-closing-costs/
- https://homebay.com/florida-capital-gains-tax/
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/what-is-a-good-salary-in-florida/
- https://awning.com/post/florida-investment-property-locations
- https://propertyclub.nyc/article/cheapest-places-to-live-in-florida
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/housing-market-outlook-where-expect-162543246.html
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/average-closing-costs-by-state/
- https://www.eatonrealty.com/blog/property-management/rental-income-tax-rate-how-rental-income-taxed
- https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/07/business/economy/interest-rates-lower-when.html
- https://florida.realestate/faq/investing-in-florida-real-estate-risks-and-benefits/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-high-inflation-housing-costs-cpi-consumer-price-index/
- https://fortune.com/2023/08/13/housing-market-mortgage-rate-outlook-prediction-2024/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/afford-rent-florida-133236208.html
- https://www.fox13news.com/news/study-breaks-down-how-many-hours-per-week-you-need-to-work-to-afford-rent-in-florida
- https://www.foxbusiness.com/real-estate/florida-red-hot-real-estate-market-cooling-down-bidding-wars-broker
- https://redoakvc.com/top-7-reasons-why-90-of-us-millionaires-invest-in-real-estate-why-you-should-follow-the-lead/
- https://phys.org/news/2023-01-hurricanes-florida-neighborhoods-steady-housing.html
- https://www.swflregroup.com/blog/5-benefits-for-owning-a-house-in-florida/
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/mortgage-interest-rates-forecast
- https://www.inman.com/2016/07/26/which-florida-counties-rank-best-for-real-estate-investment/
- https://www.thefloridaagents.com/why-is-florida-so-cheap-to-live-our-firsthand-experience/
- https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2023-03-09/are-californians-really-packing-up-for-florida-as-desantis-claims
- https://themortgagereports.com/21116/second-home-mortgage-qualify-for-vacation-residence
- https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/economy-business/2023-06-14/a-new-report-offers-suggested-solutions-to-floridas-housing-crisis
- https://www.thefloridaagents.com/moving-from-california-to-florida-the-good-the-bad-and-the-surprises/
- https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/closing-costs-in-florida/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/25/inside-a-218-million-private-island-in-palm-beach-florida.html
- https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/orlando-rent-apartments-how-much-money-you-need-to-make-study
- https://www.hrblock.com/tax-center/filing/states/florida-property-tax/
- https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/cost-of-living/in-florida/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/morningstar-makes-bold-call-housing-194921413.html
- https://taxsharkinc.com/florida-capital-gains-on-real-estate/
- https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/07/04/florida-is-the-top-state-people-are-moving-to-we-want-to-know-why/
- https://floridarevenue.com/property/Documents/pt110.pdf
- https://www.quickenloans.com/learn/most-expensive-states-to-live-in
- https://floridapropertymanagement.com/rental-prices-in-florida/
- https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/housing-outlook-downturn-2023-recovery-2024
- https://www.bipc.com/new-florida-real-estate-law-restricts-certain-foreign-interests
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Hourly-Rate-Salary--in-Florida
- https://www.ramseysolutions.com/real-estate/cost-of-living-in-florida
- https://admortgage.com/blog/10-most-affordable-places-to-live-in-florida/
- https://smartasset.com/investing/50-rule-real-estate
- https://cre.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Hurricanes.pdf
- https://richr.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-build-a-home-in-florida-2022/
- https://www.mashvisor.com/blog/florida-houses/
- https://www.noradarealestate.com/blog/housing-prices/
- https://www.poplarhomes.com/real-estate-investment/real-estate-investment-a-wise-choice-for-2023/
- https://www.noradarealestate.com/blog/florida-housing-market
- https://www.news-press.com/story/news/2023/07/05/moving-to-moving-out-of-florida-lists/70382596007/
- https://www.houzeo.com/blog/florida-real-estate-market/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/barbara-corcoran-says-housing-prices-110050018.html
- https://www.eatonrealty.com/blog/buying/it-cheaper-build-house-or-buy-house-florida
- https://homeabroadinc.com/buying-rental-property-in-florida/
- https://fortune.com/2023/03/03/fastest-growing-cities-millionaires-miami-west-palm-beach-florida/
- https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/housing-market/florida/
- https://realwealth.com/learn/florida-housing-market-predictions/
- https://www.thetimes.co.uk/money-mentor/article/when-will-interest-rates-go-down-uk/
- https://fortune.com/2023/07/03/housing-market-home-price-forecast-fannie-mae-outlook-2023-and-2024/
- https://ycharts.com/indicators/us_prime_rate_forecast
- https://www.renofi.com/learn/projecting-the-value-of-homes-in-the-us-in-2030-analyzing-the-impact-of-covid-19/
- https://www.houzeo.com/blog/best-time-to-sell-a-house-in-florida/
- https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article277421218.html
- https://smartasset.com/mortgage/florida-mortgage-calculator
- https://www.vaned.com/blog/Florida-Property-Values-After-Hurricanes/
- https://www.wftv.com/news/local/report-4-top-5-metros-most-risk-home-price-decline-are-florida/H3LM5IMHQZCDZGWQCOBKUW3AII/
- https://www.noradarealestate.com/blog/housing-market-forecast-for-next-5-years/
- https://www.roadwaymoving.com/blog/richest-cities-in-florida/
- https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/07/18/these-central-florida-housing-markets-are-among-the-most-overpriced-in-the-us/
- https://www.lamacchiarealty.com/is-rental-property-in-florida-a-good-investment/
- https://suburbs101.com/places-in-florida-where-homes-are-selling-fast/
- https://money.usnews.com/loans/mortgages/mortgage-rate-forecast
- https://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/april2023-housing-numbers
- https://www.wmfe.org/economy/2023-06-20/study-shows-florida-housing-and-rental-markets-are-overpriced
- https://www.smartsettlements.com/resources/2023/3/29/what-you-need-to-know-before-buying-an-investment-property-in-florida
- https://timesofsandiego.com/life/2021/09/14/study-california-ranks-as-4th-happiest-state-well-ahead-of-texas-and-florida/
- https://www.quora.com/Is-50k-a-bad-salary-in-Florida
- https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/mortgages/advice/mortgage-rate-predictions-for-july-and-beyond-interest-rates-likely-to-stay-higher-for-longer/
- https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/money/mortgage-rates-when-go-down-how-long-inerest-rise-why-high-2469557
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/afford-house-florida-why-moving-151230310.html
- https://www.eatonrealty.com/blog/selling/what-are-best-times-sell-house-florida
- https://www.automoblog.net/fed-rate-hike-march-2023/
- https://fortune.com/2023/07/09/housing-market-affordability-restored-by-falling-mortgage-rates-2025-says-morningstar/
- https://www.makefloridayourhome.com/blog/is-july-2023-a-good-time-to-buy-a-house-in-florida
- https://www.policygenius.com/homeowners-insurance/best-places-to-buy-a-house-in-florida/
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/investing/real-estate/cities-where-home-prices-are-falling-most-this-year/
- https://www.sofi.com/cost-of-living-in-florida/
- https://www.makefloridayourhome.com/blog/what-do-you-need-to-buy-a-house
- https://medium.com/@charlottewatson1298/5-reasons-to-buy-a-second-home-in-florida-89b9329448e9
- https://blog.vaster.com/how-much-house-can-i-afford-in-florida
- https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/florida-housing-market-affordability-rent-home-prices-cost-of-living-2023-7
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/buy-house-now-wait-210027936.html
- https://dashhomeloans.com/florida/home-loan/investment-property-loan/
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/primary-residence
- https://tedthomas.com/is-buying-land-in-florida-a-good-investment/
- https://floridarevenue.com/forms_library/current/gt800016.pdf
- https://www.ezhomesearch.com/blog/is-florida-a-good-state-to-buy-a-house/
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/economy/10-weird-reasons-florida-unaffordable-retirees-everyone-else/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/8-reasons-why-you-should-invest-property-south-florida-jacob-edri
- https://www.rentcafe.com/cost-of-living-calculator/us/fl/
- https://www.redfin.com/state/Florida/housing-market