Retiring on a budget? A study conducted by GOBankingRates has revealed 12 Florida cities where renters can retire with benefits for under $2,000 a month. And if you’re a homeowner, you’ll still pay well under $2,500 every month in these cities.
Check Out: GOBankingRates Original Research Center
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GOBankingRates referenced several platforms, including the Farmer’s Almanac, to source the cities with the best weather. The cost of living was calculated for homeowners (using the average mortgage and average expenditure costs) and renters (the average rent cost plus average expenditures). To find the costs after Social Security, the average Social Security income for one person was sourced and subtracted from the monthly cost of living.
Take a look at 12 Florida cities where it’s feasible to retire on $2,000 a month.
1. Tallahassee
- Population 65+ (%): 11.4%
- Median household income: $55,931
- Average home value: $305,889
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,780
- Total monthly cost of living for a homeowner with Social Security: $1,248
- Total monthly cost of living for a renter with Social Security: $995
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2. Fort Myers
- Population 65+ (%): 22.2%
- Median household income: $62,160
- Average home value: $375,456
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,185
- Total monthly cost of living for a homeowner with Social Security: $1,746
- Total monthly cost of living for a renter with Social Security: $1,468
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3. West Palm Beach
- Population 65+ (%): 20.3%
- Median household income: $69,261
- Average home value: $463,682
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,698
- Total monthly cost of living for a homeowner with Social Security: $2,144
- Total monthly cost of living for a renter with Social Security: $1,772
4. Jacksonville
- Population 65+ (%): 14.7%
- Median household income: $66,981
- Average home value: $302,217
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,759
- Total monthly cost of living for a homeowner with Social Security: $1,197
- Total monthly cost of living for a renter with Social Security: $1,073
5. Pensacola
- Population 65+ (%): 20.8%
- Median household income: $72,699
- Average home value: $258,851
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,506
- Total monthly cost of living for a homeowner with Social Security: $929
- Total monthly cost of living for a renter with Social Security: $1,136
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6. Orlando
- Population 65+ (%): 11.1%
- Median household income: $69,268
- Average home value: $407,911
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,374
- Total monthly cost of living for a homeowner with Social Security: $1,837
- Total monthly cost of living for a renter with Social Security: $1,461
7. Daytona Beach
- Population 65+ (%): 21.4%
- Median household income: $50,130
- Average home value: $292,410
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,702
- Total monthly cost of living for a homeowner with Social Security: $1,130
- Total monthly cost of living for a renter with Social Security: $1,099
8. Tampa
- Population 65+ (%): 13.2%
- Median household income: $71,302
- Average home value: $394,771
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,297
- Total monthly cost of living for a homeowner with Social Security: $1,737
- Total monthly cost of living for a renter with Social Security: $1,651
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9. Sarasota
- Population 65+ (%): 29.3%
- Median household income: $70,065
- Average home value: $459,792
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,676
- Total monthly cost of living for a homeowner with Social Security: $2,123
- Total monthly cost of living for a renter with Social Security: $1,867
10. Lakeland
- Population 65+ (%): 21.8%
- Median household income: $60,947
- Average home value: $318,590
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,854
- Total monthly cost of living for a homeowner with Social Security: $1,294
- Total monthly cost of living for a renter with Social Security: $1,208
11. Port Saint Lucie
- Population 65+ (%): 21.5%
- Median household income: $78,137
- Average home value: $396,621
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,308
- Total monthly cost of living for a homeowner with Social Security: $1,760
- Total monthly cost of living for a renter with Social Security: $1,903
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12. Ocala
- Population 65+ (%): 19.3%
- Median household income: $53,520
- Average home value: $277,012
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,612
- Total monthly cost of living for a homeowner with Social Security: $1,033
- Total monthly cost of living for a renter with Social Security: $1,056
View more original studies and surveys at the GOBankingRates original research center.
Methodology: GOBankingRates found cities with the best weather sourced from 247WallSt.com’s U.S. Cities with Absolute Best Weather, FarmersAlmanac.com’s The 10 Best U.S. Weather Cities, Cutter.com’s U.S. Cities with Best Weather, RealEstate.USNews.com’s Best Places to Live in the U.S. for the Weather, and Grillio.com’s Top U.S. Cities for Weather. Other data was sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey and Zillow Observed Value Index and Zillow Home Value Index for May 2025. The average Social Security income for one person was sourced from the Social Security Administration’s Monthly Statistical Snapshot and subtracted from the monthly cost of living to find the costs after Social Security. All data was collected on and is up to date as of July 14, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 12 Florida Cities With Great Weather Where You Can Retire on $2,000 a Month
