If you want to live in a Florida beach town without spending too much, check out Florida’s Gulf Coast. The beaches there are warmer and calmer than on the Atlantic side. You can find cheap beach towns to live in Florida’s Gulf Coast with lots of sun, sand, and sea! Here are the best Gulf Coast beach towns that are affordable to fit your budget.
Check out our list of the Cheapest Beach Towns to Live in Florida
Most Affordable Beach Towns in Florida Gulf Coast
Bayonet Point, FL
Bayonet Point is the cheapest beach town on the Gulf Coast of Florida with median home prices of $236,692.
Located in Pasco County, Bayonet Point is a 10-minute drive to nearby beaches like Hudson Beach and an hour’s drive to Tampa.
With its affordable housing prices and proximity to beaches and Tampa, Bayonet Point is a favorite among retirees and those seeking a more relaxed lifestyle.
| Bayonet Point, Florida | |
| Median Home Price | $236,692 |
| Distance to Beach | 10 minutes |
| Closest Beach Name | Hudson Beach |
New Port Richey, FL
New Port Richey is an inexpensive Florida beach town on the Gulf of Mexico with a median sales price of homes of $269,004.
Located just 42 miles from Tampa, it has easy access to both local Gulf Coast beaches and Tampa.
New Port Richey’s Beach is a 45-acre beachfront park with a boardwalk.
New Port Richey residents can also go to nearby beaches including Anclote River Park and Anclote Key.
New Port Richey appeals to retirees because it is an affordable beach town in Florida’s Gulf Coast with small-town charm and proximity to Tampa.
| New Port Richey, Florida | |
| Median Home Price | $269,004 |
| Distance to Beach | Right in Town! |
| Closest Beach Name | Robert K. Rees Memorial Park |
Check out our list of the Cheapest Beach Towns near Tampa
North Sarasota, FL
North Sarasota is one of the best Gulf Coast beach towns in Florida. It is an affordable Gulf Coast beach town to live in with median home prices of $287,745.
Located just 14 minutes from stunning Lido Key Beach, it is the perfect blend of affordability and coastal living.
Compared to neighboring Sarasota, it’s cheaper to buy a house in North Sarasota. The median home price in Sarasota is $497,157 while North Sarasota is 42% cheaper with a median home price of only $287,745.
North Sarasota is truly one of the most affordable Gulf Coast beach towns.
The lower cost of living and lower home prices makes North Sarasota attractive to retirees.
Aside from the close proximity to beaches, North Sarasota residents enjoy the convenience of being just an hour’s drive from Tampa.
| North Sarasota, Florida | |
| Median Home Price | $287,745 |
| Distance to Beach | 14 minutes |
| Closest Beach Name | Lido Key Beach |
Pensacola, FL
Pensacola is one of the cheapest Florida beach towns on the Gulf Coast with median home prices of $294,808.
Known for its stunning white-sand beaches, Pensacola is one of the best Florida Gulf Coast beach towns to live in if you want affordability and still be close to the beach.
Pensacola has a small-town vibe but with convenient access to shopping malls and restaurants.
There are a lot of great seafood restaurants in Pensacola including The Fish House and The Grand Marlin.
Pensacola is one of the most affordable Florida beach towns with inviting beaches, a great place to call home.
| Pensacola, Florida | |
| Median Home Price | $294,808 |
| Distance to Beach | Right in Town! |
| Closest Beach Name | Pensacola Beach |
Check out our list of the Cheapest Beach Towns near Orlando
Hudson, FL
Hudson is one of the most affordable Florida Gulf Coast towns with median home prices of $316,462.
Hudson Beach is a beautiful sandy beach on the Gulf of Mexico with calm and inviting waters perfect for a relaxing beach day. It’s not uncommon to spot dolphins!
Aside from the beach, Hudson is a 53 minute drive to Tampa and an hour drive to Clearwater, giving Hudson residents easy access to city amenities.
There are also lots of local shops, restaurants, and top-rated hospitals in Hudson.
Aside from the beach, Hudson’s town park, Sunwest Park is a waterfront haven with a white sand and a spring-fed lake.
| Hudson, Florida | |
| Median Home Price | $316,462 |
| Distance to Beach | Right in Town! |
| Closest Beach Name | Hudson Beach |
Cedar Key, FL
Cedar Key is one of the best small towns to live in the Florida Gulf Coast. It is an affordable Gulf Coast beach town with median home prices of $321,028.
With a population of less than 900, Cedar Key is a lesser known, hidden Florida beach town on the Gulf Coast.
Cedar Key is a quaint Florida beach town with sandy beaches and Gulf of Mexico waters that are calm and warm, perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
Cedar Key is famous for its clams, home to many clam farms and seafood restaurants. For waterfront restaurants go to Dock Street where restaurants are on stilts over water.
Cedar Key’s location on the Gulf of Mexico means that the water teems with a variety of marine life. It’s common to see anglers at Cedar Key’s deep water pier fishing for redfish, ladyfish and black drum.
For nature lovers, kayak or boat to nearby Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge a haven for birdwatchers.
Or take a peaceful walk on the 1200-foot boardwalk through the mangroves at Cemetery Point Park.
| Cedar Key, Florida | |
| Median Home Price | $321,028 |
| Distance to Beach | Right in Town! |
| Closest Beach Name | Cedar Key Beach |
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Fort Walton Beach is an affordable Florida Gulf Coast beach town with a median home sale price of $348,919.
Fort Walton residents are lucky to have beautiful white sand beaches with calm Gulf waters, perfect for swimming, kayaking, boating and water sports.
Aside from the Gulf Coast beaches, Fort Walton is also convenient to restaurants and shops including nearby shopping centers such as Destin Commons and Silver Sands Premium Outlets.
| Fort Walton Beach, Florida | |
| Median Home Price | $348,919 |
| Distance to Beach | Right in town! |
| Closest Beach Name | Fort Walton Beach |
Check out our list of the Cheapest Places to Live in Florida
Venice Gardens, FL
Venice Gardens is an affordable West Coast Florida beach town with median home prices of $353,065.
Venice Gardens is a quaint Gulf Coast beach town without the hefty price tag.
Compared to neighboring Venice, it’s cheaper to buy a house in Venice Gardens where homes are more affordable. The median sale price of homes in Venice is $463,626 while Venice Gardens has a median sale price of $353,065.
Just a quick, 10-minute drive will take residents to the beautiful Venice Beach, known for its sandy shores and clear waters.
Historic downtown Venice, known for its shops and restaurants, is a mere 10-minute drive away.
The Venice Gardens community center acts as a hub for local residents with a swimming pool, a playground, and walking trails — perfect for those who lead an active lifestyle or families with children.
Adding to the convenience is the town’s proximity to Sarasota. At just 37 minutes away, residents can easily access the urban benefits of a bigger city.
| Venice Gardens, Florida | |
| Median Home Price | $353,065 |
| Distance to Beach | 10 minutes |
| Name of Closest Beach | Venice Beach |
Largo, FL
Largo is one of the cheapest Gulf Coast beach towns with median home prices of $339,623.
Largo residents are just a quick drive to beautiful Gulf beaches.
It is a 14-minute drive from Indian Rocks Beach and a 20-minute drive to the renowned Clearwater Beach.
There are also parks, playgrounds and community pools right in Largo.
Largo is not a middle-of-nowhere Florida beach town, it is an easy 14-minute drive to the shops and dining of downtown Clearwater.
| Largo, Florida | |
| Median Home Price | $339,623 |
| Distance to Indian Rocks Beach | 14 minutes |
| Distance to Clearwater Beach | 20 minutes |
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater is one of most affordable Florida Gulf Coast cities with a median sale price of homes of $376,204.
Home to one of the best West Coast Florida beaches, Clearwater Beach is famous for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters on the Gulf of Mexico.
Clearwater is a Gulf Coast city brimming with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
The Gulf Coast beach city also comes alive with various festivals and cultural events throughout the year, adding to its lively atmosphere.
If that isn’t enough, Clearwater is just 50 minutes from Tampa and 2.5 hours from Orlando!
| Clearwater, Florida | |
| Median Home Price | $376,204 |
| Distance to Clearwater Beach | Right in town! |
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