The best small towns in Florida to live in: short answer
Of the 99 Florida towns with 5,000 to 30,000 residents and Zillow data, the top five on our score are Okeechobee, Milton, Bartow, Lake City and Avon Park. All five are county seats or close to one, all have typical home values under $290,000, and all but Lake City grew by 9% or more between 2020 and 2025.
The list leans toward inland and north Florida, because that is where small towns are both cheaper and still gaining people. Better-known small towns such as Mount Dora, Fernandina Beach and Safety Harbor are covered further down with their own figures.
How we defined and ranked small towns
Small town: any incorporated Florida city, town or village with a Census Bureau July 2025 population estimate between 5,000 and 30,000. Places with fewer than 5,000 people were left out because home value data for them rests on very few sales. We kept only towns with Zillow home value and rent data for August 2026, leaving 99.
Score: four equally weighted percentile ranks within that group. Lower typical home value scores higher. Higher one-year value change, five-year value change and 2020 to 2025 population growth score higher. Growth is in the score because a town people are moving to tends to keep its shops, clinics and services, and it is the best statewide measure we have of that.
What it leaves out: charm, walkability and scenery can't be measured evenly across 99 towns. We describe what each town is known for instead.
Top 18 small towns in Florida
| # | Town | County | Population | Pop. change | Typical value | 1-yr | 5-yr | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Okeechobee | Okeechobee County | 5,811 | +10.9% | $289,623 | +0.4% | +38.4% | 78.4 |
| 2 | Milton | Santa Rosa County | 11,440 | +12.0% | $287,336 | +1.7% | +22.3% | 74.1 |
| 3 | Bartow | Polk County | 23,617 | +20.0% | $278,494 | -0.1% | +22.9% | 73.4 |
| 4 | Lake City | Columbia County | 12,788 | +3.6% | $264,618 | +0.4% | +29.2% | 71.2 |
| 5 | Avon Park | Highlands County | 10,514 | +9.1% | $207,755 | -1.4% | +29.6% | 69.2 |
| 6 | Callaway | Bay County | 14,369 | +10.0% | $266,423 | +0.6% | +20.1% | 69.1 |
| 7 | Wildwood | Sumter County | 19,436 | +23.0% | $297,939 | -0.9% | +23.8% | 68.7 |
| 8 | Eagle Lake | Polk County | 6,415 | +112.7% | $279,304 | -1.4% | +22.3% | 68.7 |
| 9 | Belleview | Marion County | 6,512 | +18.2% | $252,823 | -1.9% | +27.6% | 68.1 |
| 10 | South Daytona | Volusia County | 13,894 | +8.1% | $249,214 | +2.0% | +17.7% | 67.6 |
| 11 | Springfield | Bay County | 8,551 | +5.6% | $217,654 | -0.0% | +21.3% | 66.5 |
| 12 | Fruitland Park | Lake County | 9,543 | +13.9% | $293,849 | -1.2% | +24.8% | 66.4 |
| 13 | Palm Springs | Palm Beach County | 28,303 | +5.3% | $269,242 | -0.7% | +28.4% | 66.3 |
| 14 | Sebring | Highlands County | 12,059 | +10.0% | $238,671 | -1.8% | +27.4% | 65.7 |
| 15 | Lake Alfred | Polk County | 10,107 | +54.9% | $306,257 | -1.5% | +22.3% | 63.5 |
| 16 | LaBelle | Hendry County | 5,754 | +16.8% | $285,228 | -4.0% | +29.5% | 62.6 |
| 17 | Lake Wales | Polk County | 18,650 | +16.1% | $243,335 | -2.3% | +22.5% | 62.5 |
| 18 | Inverness | Citrus County | 7,796 | +3.6% | $240,021 | -0.6% | +22.5% | 62.4 |
Profiles of the 18 small towns
1. Okeechobee, Okeechobee County
The Okeechobee County seat sits on the north side of Lake Okeechobee, in cattle and farm country between the two coasts. Prices rose 38.4% over five years, the most of any town in the top 18, and they were still edging up over the last year.
Population 5,811 in 2025 (+10.9% since 2020). Typical home value $289,623, typical rent $1,850. Values changed +0.4% over the year and +38.4% over five years. Zillow metro: Okeechobee.
2. Milton, Santa Rosa County
Milton is the Santa Rosa County seat on the Blackwater River, east of Pensacola. It had the second-largest one-year value gain in the top 18 and is the only Panhandle town in the top five.
Population 11,440 in 2025 (+12.0% since 2020). Typical home value $287,336, typical rent $1,775. Values changed +1.7% over the year and +22.3% over five years. Zillow metro: Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent.
3. Bartow, Polk County
Bartow is the Polk County seat, south of Lakeland. Its population grew about 20% from 2020 to 2025 and values were flat over the year, a steadier result than most of Polk County.
Population 23,617 in 2025 (+20.0% since 2020). Typical home value $278,494, typical rent $1,838. Values changed -0.1% over the year and +22.9% over five years. Zillow metro: Lakeland-Winter Haven.
4. Lake City, Columbia County
Lake City is the Columbia County seat where I-75 crosses I-10, which puts Gainesville, Jacksonville and Tallahassee all within reach by interstate. Values rose 29.2% over five years.
Population 12,788 in 2025 (+3.6% since 2020). Typical home value $264,618, typical rent $1,494. Values changed +0.4% over the year and +29.2% over five years. Zillow metro: Lake City.
5. Avon Park, Highlands County
Avon Park, on the Lake Wales Ridge in Highlands County, has the lowest typical value of the 18 towns. Prices rose almost 30% over five years.
Population 10,514 in 2025 (+9.1% since 2020). Typical home value $207,755, typical rent $1,493. Values changed -1.4% over the year and +29.6% over five years. Zillow metro: Sebring-Avon Park.
6. Callaway, Bay County
Callaway is a Bay County city on the east side of Panama City, near Tyndall Air Force Base. It was one of five towns in the top 18 with a value gain over the year.
Population 14,369 in 2025 (+10.0% since 2020). Typical home value $266,423, typical rent $1,878. Values changed +0.6% over the year and +20.1% over five years. Zillow metro: Panama City.
7. Wildwood, Sumter County
Wildwood is in Sumter County, which Zillow groups into The Villages metro area. Its population rose about 23% between 2020 and 2025.
Population 19,436 in 2025 (+23.0% since 2020). Typical home value $297,939, typical rent $1,654. Values changed -0.9% over the year and +23.8% over five years. Zillow metro: The Villages.
8. Eagle Lake, Polk County
Eagle Lake is a small Polk County city between Winter Haven and Bartow. Census estimates show its population more than doubling, from about 3,000 in 2020 to 6,400 in 2025, the fastest growth of any Florida town in this size range with Zillow data.
Population 6,415 in 2025 (+112.7% since 2020). Typical home value $279,304, typical rent $2,028. Values changed -1.4% over the year and +22.3% over five years. Zillow metro: Lakeland-Winter Haven.
9. Belleview, Marion County
Belleview is in Marion County just south of Ocala along US 441. It is one of the lower-priced towns on the list, with rent under $1,700.
Population 6,512 in 2025 (+18.2% since 2020). Typical home value $252,823, typical rent $1,668. Values changed -1.9% over the year and +27.6% over five years. Zillow metro: Ocala.
10. South Daytona, Volusia County
South Daytona borders Daytona Beach along the Halifax River. It had the largest one-year value gain in the top 18, 2.0%, and puts the Daytona beaches within a short drive.
Population 13,894 in 2025 (+8.1% since 2020). Typical home value $249,214, typical rent $1,578. Values changed +2.0% over the year and +17.7% over five years. Zillow metro: Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach.
11. Springfield, Bay County
Springfield is a small Bay County city next to Panama City. It has the lowest typical rent in the top 18 at $1,384 a month and the second-lowest typical value.
Population 8,551 in 2025 (+5.6% since 2020). Typical home value $217,654, typical rent $1,384. Values changed -0.0% over the year and +21.3% over five years. Zillow metro: Panama City.
12. Fruitland Park, Lake County
Fruitland Park is in Lake County between Leesburg and The Villages, and Zillow counts it in the Orlando metro area. Its typical rent is one of the lowest on the list.
Population 9,543 in 2025 (+13.9% since 2020). Typical home value $293,849, typical rent $1,556. Values changed -1.2% over the year and +24.8% over five years. Zillow metro: Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford.
13. Palm Springs, Palm Beach County
Palm Springs is the only South Florida town in the top 18, a village in central Palm Beach County west of Lake Worth Beach. It has the highest rent on the list, but its typical value is far below the Palm Beach County norm.
Population 28,303 in 2025 (+5.3% since 2020). Typical home value $269,242, typical rent $2,190. Values changed -0.7% over the year and +28.4% over five years. Zillow metro: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach.
14. Sebring, Highlands County
Sebring is the Highlands County seat on Lake Jackson, with a circular downtown around a central park. Prices rose 27.4% over five years from a low base.
Population 12,059 in 2025 (+10.0% since 2020). Typical home value $238,671, typical rent $1,527. Values changed -1.8% over the year and +27.4% over five years. Zillow metro: Sebring-Avon Park.
15. Lake Alfred, Polk County
Lake Alfred is a Polk County city between Auburndale and Haines City, close to the Auburndale area. Census estimates show 54.9% population growth since 2020, third behind Eagle Lake and Davenport in this size group.
Population 10,107 in 2025 (+54.9% since 2020). Typical home value $306,257, typical rent $1,981. Values changed -1.5% over the year and +22.3% over five years. Zillow metro: Lakeland-Winter Haven.
16. LaBelle, Hendry County
LaBelle is the Hendry County seat on the Caloosahatchee River, inland from Fort Myers. It had the largest one-year value fall of the 18, 4.0%, which could give buyers room to negotiate.
Population 5,754 in 2025 (+16.8% since 2020). Typical home value $285,228, typical rent $1,948. Values changed -4.0% over the year and +29.5% over five years. Zillow metro: Clewiston.
17. Lake Wales, Polk County
Lake Wales is in eastern Polk County on the Lake Wales Ridge. Its population grew about 16% since 2020 and its typical value is under $250,000.
Population 18,650 in 2025 (+16.1% since 2020). Typical home value $243,335, typical rent $1,651. Values changed -2.3% over the year and +22.5% over five years. Zillow metro: Lakeland-Winter Haven.
18. Inverness, Citrus County
Inverness is the Citrus County seat, and the Withlacoochee State Trail runs through town. Its population grew a modest 3.6% since 2020, and its typical value is among the lower ones in the group.
Population 7,796 in 2025 (+3.6% since 2020). Typical home value $240,021, typical rent $1,564. Values changed -0.6% over the year and +22.5% over five years. Zillow metro: Homosassa Springs.
Where Florida's best-known small towns rank
Many "best small towns" lists feature the same postcard names. Here is how they score on the same data, out of 99:
| Town | Rank | Population | Typical value | 1-yr | 5-yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Dora | 48 of 99 | 18,791 | $387,766 | -1.4% | +20.7% |
| Niceville | 49 of 99 | 17,948 | $434,886 | +0.8% | +14.2% |
| Fernandina Beach | 52 of 99 | 13,869 | $610,615 | -0.3% | +26.9% |
| Gulf Breeze | 56 of 99 | 7,067 | $478,656 | +0.7% | +16.1% |
| Lady Lake | 59 of 99 | 17,496 | $333,334 | -1.4% | +18.7% |
| Safety Harbor | 74 of 99 | 16,624 | $501,979 | +1.3% | +21.5% |
| Tarpon Springs | 90 of 99 | 25,602 | $390,468 | -1.4% | +11.5% |
| Punta Gorda | 93 of 99 | 20,383 | $332,696 | -5.2% | +1.0% |
These towns rank lower mainly because they cost more: half of them have typical values above $430,000, and Punta Gorda lost 5.2% over the year. If walkable historic downtowns or water access matter more to you than price, they are still worth a visit. Fernandina Beach has its own guide, and our Clermont and Montverde pages cover small-town options west of Orlando.
Small towns by region
Polk County and the Lake Wales Ridge
Six of the 18 are in Polk or neighboring Highlands County: Bartow, Eagle Lake, Lake Alfred, Lake Wales, Avon Park and Sebring. The Polk towns are within commuting range of Lakeland and, for some jobs, Tampa or Orlando. Compare with Lakeland's cost of living.
North Florida
Lake City and Inverness are the north-central picks, with Gainesville the nearest big city for Lake City. See our Gainesville guide and nearby towns such as Alachua and Newberry.
The Panhandle
Milton, Callaway and Springfield are the Panhandle towns in the top 18. Milton is in the Pensacola metro, the other two in the Panama City metro.
Near The Villages and Ocala
Wildwood, Fruitland Park and Belleview sit around The Villages and Ocala, where the population has grown fast.
Near the coasts
South Daytona and Palm Springs are the two small towns in the top 18 within a short drive of the Atlantic.
How to choose a small Florida town
Check healthcare and shopping distance
A small town may have one clinic and a single grocery store. Map the drive to the nearest hospital emergency room and the nearest big-box stores before you buy.
Look at internet options by address
Rural fringes of small towns can have limited broadband. If you work from home, ask providers to confirm service at the exact address before you buy.
Understand county services and taxes
Small towns often rely on county sheriff, fire and water services, and property tax depends on county and city millage. Read the Florida property tax guide and ask for the last tax bill on any home you consider.
Visit on a weekday
Weekend visits show the festivals and farmers markets. A Tuesday shows you daily life, traffic and what is open.
Nicest, best and cheapest small towns
What is the nicest small town in Florida?
"Nicest" has no official measure. On the data here, Okeechobee scores highest among towns of 5,000 to 30,000. If you mean a historic downtown and scenery, the towns people most often name, such as Mount Dora and Fernandina Beach, rank in the middle of our list because they cost more.
Where is the best small town in Florida to live?
On our four-measure score: Okeechobee, Milton, Bartow, Lake City and Avon Park, in that order.
What are the best towns to live in Florida?
For larger cities the answer changes. Our best places to live in Florida ranking of cities over 50,000 puts Ocala, Tallahassee and Fort Pierce on top.
What is the nicest but cheapest small town in Florida?
Avon Park ($207,755), Springfield ($217,654) and Sebring ($238,671) have the lowest typical values in the top 18. For every city over 10,000 ranked on price, see the cheapest places to live in Florida.
Common questions
What is the best small town to live in Florida?+
On our score of 99 Florida towns with 5,000 to 30,000 residents, Okeechobee ranks first. Its Zillow typical home value was $289,623 in August 2026, up 0.4% on the year and 38.4% over five years, and Census estimates put its population up 10.9% since 2020.
Which small Florida towns are growing fastest?+
Among towns of 5,000 to 30,000 with Zillow data, Eagle Lake in Polk County grew fastest, from about 3,000 people in 2020 to 6,415 in July 2025 according to Census estimates. Davenport grew 94.8% and Lake Alfred 54.9% over the same period.
What is the cheapest small town in Florida?+
Among the 99 towns in our ranking, Holly Hill in Volusia County had the lowest Zillow typical home value in August 2026, at $202,585. Avon Park ($207,755) and Palatka ($210,629) were next. Holly Hill and Palatka rank lower overall on growth.
Are small towns in Florida cheaper than cities?+
Usually, but not always. Many of the top-ranked small towns have typical values between $200,000 and $310,000, below the Florida figure of $375,470 in August 2026. Small coastal and resort towns can cost far more, and Mount Dora and Fernandina Beach are above $385,000.
Do small Florida towns have good hospitals?+
Some do and some rely on a nearby city. Before choosing a town, check the nearest emergency department and the hospital's Medicare star rating on CMS Care Compare. Our best places to retire in Florida guide lists the 4- and 5-star hospitals county by county.
What counts as a small town in Florida?+
There is no official definition. For this ranking we used incorporated places with 5,000 to 30,000 residents in the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates. Florida also has many unincorporated communities of similar size, but they have no separate city population estimate, so they are not compared here.