Looking for the best Florida East Coast beach town to retire in but worried about ending up in an unsafe area? Don’t worry! We’ve poured over the data from Neighborhood Scout, Best Places, and Zillow to create a list of the safest and most affordable Florida beach towns to live in. Our list focuses on the East Coast of Florida and includes only those towns with low crime rates and reasonable living costs. If you’re looking for a beach town that both affordable and does not compromise your safety, check out our list of the cheapest and safest beach towns on Florida’s East Coast below.
10 Cheapest and Safest Places to Retire in Florida
Cheapest and Safest Florida East Coast Beach Towns to Retire In
1. Palm Bay
Palm Bay is a coastal town on the East Coast of Florida that stands out for its safety and affordability. One of the biggest advantages of living in Palm Bay is its affordability, with a median rent of $1991, the lowest median rent of all the towns on this list. Pair that with its low crime rate, and you have an excellent place to retire in.
When it comes to safety, Palm Bay is a top contender, with a violent crime rate of just 1.76 per 1000 and a property crime rate of 12.16 per thousand. There are several neighborhoods in Palm Bay that are considered to be particularly safe, such as The Compound, Palm Bay Southwest, Palm Bay West, Lynbrook Park, American Blvd NW/Ontario St NW, West Oaks Park, Waco Blvd SE/Seven Galbes Cir SE, Fred Lee Park, Bayside Lakes, and Americana Blvd NE/Holiday Park Blvd NE.
Additionally, the cost of living in Palm Bay is 7.3% lower than the state’s average, making it an affordable place to live. The median home price is also low at $331, 087. It’s easy to see why Palm Bay is an attractive place to retire for anyone looking for a safe and affordable place to live.
- Median Rent: $1991
- Median Home Price: $331,087
- Violent Crime Rate (per 1000) 1.76
- Property Crime Rate (per 1000) 12.16
- Safest Neighborhoods: The Compound, Palm Bay Southwest, Palm Bay West, Lynbrook Park, American Blvd NW/Ontario St NW, West Oaks Park, Waco Blvd SE/Seven Galbes Cir SE, Fred Lee Park, Bayside Lakes, and Americana Blvd NE/Holiday Park Blvd NE
2. Edgewater
Edgewater is a popular destination for retirees looking for a safe and affordable place to live on Florida’s East Coast. Retirees enjoy stunning waterfront views and a River Walk, making it perfect for those who love to spend their time outdoors. Fishing and boating opportunities are in abundance here.
Living in Edgewater is affordable, with a cost of living that is 8% lower than the state’s average. With a median rent of $2185 per month, it is also one of the most affordable places on this list. Additionally, it’s the cheapest place to buy a house, with a median home price of $318,049.
Safety is a big draw in Edgewater, making it an ideal place for retirees. The violent crime rate is only 0.94 per thousand, and the property crime rate is 13.91 per 1000. The safest neighborhoods in Edgewater are Hucomer, Florida Shores, Florida Shores North, Edgewater Landing/River Edge Acres, and Eastern Shore Mobile Village.
- Median Rent: $2,185
- Median Home Price: $318049
- Violent Crime Rate (per 1000) 0.94
- Property Crime Rate (per 1000) 13.91
- Safest Neighborhoods: Hucomer, Florida Shores, Florida Shores North, Edgewater Landing/River Edge Acres, and Eastern Shore Mobile Village
3. Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral is an ideal retirement spot on the East Coast of Florida for retirees looking for affordability and safety. Retirees can indulge in the sandy beaches, restaurants, and cafes. Space aficionados will find themselves in paradise as they will be in close proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Additionally, cruisers will appreciate the convenience of having access to a major cruise port.
Living in Cape Canaveral is budget-friendly, with a median rent of $2,150. The overall cost of living is 7.3% lower than the state average. The median home price is also reasonable at $332,229.
As far as safety goes, Cape Canaveral has lower crime rates than the state’s average. The violent crime rate is 2.1 per 1000, while the property crime rate is 14.72 per 1000. The safest neighborhoods in Cape Canaveral are City Center, North Reach, Cape Canaveral North, Cape Canaveral Beach Gardens, North Reach West, and North Reach East.
- Median Rent: $2,150
- Median Home Price: $332,229
- Violent Crime Rate (per 1000) 2.1
- Property Crime Rate (per 1000) 14.72
- Safest Neighborhoods:Cape Canaveral are City Center, North Reach, Cape Canaveral North, Cape Canaveral Beach Gardens, North Reach West, and North Reach East
4. Indian Harbour Beach
Indian Harbour Beach is one of the safest and most affordable Florida East Coast beach towns to retire in. It is a community where retirees can indulge in a laid-back lifestyle while enjoying the beautiful beaches.
The town is home to a wide variety of restaurants and cafes that cater to all tastes. Plus, Indian Harbour Beach is just an hour away from Orlando, giving retirees easy access to big-city amenities.
One of the most significant benefits of retiring in Indian Harbour Beach is the safety it offers. With a violent crime rate of only 0.89 per 1000 and a property crime rate of 7.56 per 1000, residents can rest easy knowing that they are living in one of the safest towns in the area. The safest neighborhoods in the town are Sun Land Harbour/Lyme Bay and City Center.
Another advantage of living in Indian Harbour Beach is the affordability of the town. The median rent for a home in this town is just $2000 per month, which is very reasonable for a beach town. The cost of living in Indian Harbour Beach is also 7.3% lower than the state’s average. However, the median home price in this town is a bit higher, at $491,092.
- Median Rent: $2000
- Median Home Price: $491,092
- Violent Crime Rate (per 1000) 0.89
- Property Crime Rate (per 1000) 7.56
- Safest Neighborhoods: Sun Land Harbour/Lyme Bay and City Center
5. Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie is a popular beach town on the Florida East Coast, particularly among retirees. This is mainly due to its affordability and safety. The town has stunning beaches and nature reserves, retirees can indulge in fishing, boating and golfing.
Port St. Lucie is known for its low crime rates, with only 1.54 incidents of violent crime per 1000 people, and 7.52 incidents of property crime per 1000 people. Some of the safest neighborhoods include Newport Isles/Portofino Court, Fountainview, North St. James/St. Andrews Park, Gatlin Pines, Tradition/Bedford Park, Hidden River Estates, Woodland Trails, Rosser Reserve, Oak Hammock, and Vizcaya Falls.
The town is also an affordable place to retire, with a cost of living that is 4.4% lower than the state average. Median rent is $2500, which is reasonable, and median home prices are $394,365.
- Median Rent: $2500
- Median Home Price: $394,365
- Violent Crime Rate (per 1000) 1.54
- Property Crime Rate (per 1000) 7.52
- Safest Neighborhoods: Newport Isles/Portofino Court, Fountainview, North St. James/St. Andrews Park, Gatlin Pines, Tradition/Bedford Park, Hidden River Estates, Woodland Trails, Rosser Reserve, Oak Hammock, and Vizcaya Falls
6. Flagler Beach
Flagler Beach is a beach town located along Florida’s East Coast with some of the most stunning beaches in the state.
Not only is it an idyllic place to retire in, but it’s also one of the safest beach towns in Florida, boasting an impressively low violent crime rate of just 0.57 per 1000, as well as a remarkably low property crime rate of 6.25 per thousand.
If you’re looking for a safe and secure neighborhood to call home, then the safest areas to consider are Beverly Beach, Flagler Beach West, and City Center.
In terms of cost of living, Flagler Beach is an affordable option, with expenses that are 4.3% lower than the state average. The median rent is also reasonable, coming in at $2500.
However, if you’re looking to buy a home, be aware that it can be quite pricey, with a median home price of $470,521. Despite this, the overall quality of life in Flagler Beach is second to none, making it a truly wonderful place to call home.
- Median Rent: $2500
- Median Home Price: $470,521
- Violent Crime Rate (per 1000) 0.57
- Property Crime Rate (per 1000) 6.25
- Safest Neighborhoods: Beverly Beach, Flagler Beach West, and City Center
7. Melbourne Beach
Melbourne Beach is one of the safest Florida East Coast beach towns to retire in. The town is home to magnificent stretches of pristine white sandy beaches. It’s easy for retirees to stay active outdoors with plenty of fishing, boating and golfing.
The area’s safety is a significant selling point, with an almost non-existent violent crime rate of 0.62 per 1000. Property crime rates are also very low, with only 7.71 per thousand. For the safest neighborhoods in Melbourne Beach, look at South Beaches, Rivers Edge, and Treasure Coast North neighborhoods.
Melbourne Beach is also relatively affordable, with a cost of living that is 7.3% lower than the state average. The median rental price is a tad higher than we like at $3000 a month. And buying a home is expensive, with a median home price of $708,876. Renting is definitely the more affordable option.
- Median Rent: $3000
- Median Home Price: $708,876
- Violent Crime Rate (per 1000) 0.62
- Property Crime Rate (per 1000) 7.71
- Safest Neighborhoods: South Beaches, Rivers Edge, and Treasure Coast North
8. Indialantic
Indialantic is one of the safest places to retire on Florida’s East Coast. It’s a small beach town with pristine, sandy beaches.
It is also one of the safest places for retirees as its crime rate is incredibly low. For every 1000 people, the violent crime rate is only 0.98 while the property crime rate is 13.03. The safest neighborhoods in Indialantic are South Reach/Town Center and Indialantic North.
Cost of living is low with 7.3% lower than the state’s average. The median rent is $2,738 per month. Buying a home is expensive though with a median home price of $692,496. It’s more economical to rent than to buy.
- Median Rent: $2,738
- Median Home Price: $692,496
- Violent Crime Rate (per 1000) 0.98
- Property Crime Rate (per 1000) 13.03
- Safest Neighborhoods: South Reach/Town Center and Indialantic North
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