Quick answer: Under the transparent method below, Belle Glade ranks first among 63 qualifying municipalities in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Lauderdale Lakes, Opa-locka, Hallandale Beach, and Palm Springs complete the top five. The ranking uses the latest complete place-level U.S. Census Bureau estimates available in 2026.
Important data note: This is a 2026 guide, but the figures are not July 2026 asking prices. They are 2020–2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau on January 29, 2026. They are historical survey estimates, and every estimate has a margin of error.
How We Ranked Affordable Places in South Florida
“South Florida” can be defined in different ways. For this comparison, it means Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties—the three counties in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach metropolitan statistical area described in
OMB Bulletin 23-01.
We checked the incorporated municipalities published by
Miami-Dade County,
Broward County, and
Palm Beach County. A municipality qualified when it had at least 10,000 residents and complete Census estimates for population, median gross rent, median owner-occupied home value, and median household income. Sixty-three municipalities qualified.
Each qualifying municipality received two ranks:
- Median monthly gross rent, from lowest to highest.
- Median owner-occupied home value, from lowest to highest.
We averaged those two rank positions equally. Equal dollar values share the same component rank. A lower average rank indicates lower entry housing costs across both renter and owner measures. Composite ties are ordered by lower median gross rent and then lower median home value. Household income is displayed for context but is not used to claim that a specific household can afford a specific property.
According to the Census Bureau’s
2024 ACS Subject Definitions, gross rent includes contract rent plus estimated renter-paid utilities and fuels. Home value is the respondent’s estimate of what the property would sell for, not a listing price, appraisal, or completed sale price.
15 Most Affordable South Florida Municipalities: 2026 Guide
| Rank |
Municipality |
County |
Population |
Median gross rent |
Median home value |
Median household income |
| 1 |
Belle Glade |
Palm Beach |
16,972 |
$898 |
$163,100 |
$48,001 |
| 2 |
Lauderdale Lakes |
Broward |
36,404 |
$1,663 |
$214,100 |
$50,006 |
| 3 |
Opa-locka |
Miami-Dade |
16,282 |
$1,351 |
$295,800 |
$37,532 |
| 4 |
Hallandale Beach |
Broward |
41,854 |
$1,653 |
$279,100 |
$52,340 |
| 5 |
Palm Springs |
Palm Beach |
27,356 |
$1,669 |
$269,800 |
$61,739 |
| 6 |
Lauderhill |
Broward |
74,896 |
$1,684 |
$272,900 |
$51,165 |
| 7 |
Greenacres |
Palm Beach |
44,373 |
$1,756 |
$291,000 |
$70,491 |
| 8 |
Margate |
Broward |
59,198 |
$1,750 |
$316,200 |
$62,450 |
| 9 |
Sweetwater |
Miami-Dade |
20,085 |
$1,771 |
$294,200 |
$54,967 |
| 10 |
Florida City |
Miami-Dade |
12,943 |
$1,362 |
$399,200 |
$47,482 |
| 11 |
Riviera Beach |
Palm Beach |
38,657 |
$1,702 |
$354,500 |
$68,060 |
| 12 |
Pompano Beach |
Broward |
114,147 |
$1,724 |
$349,300 |
$67,195 |
| 13 |
Lake Worth Beach |
Palm Beach |
43,365 |
$1,545 |
$401,200 |
$61,200 |
| 14 |
Homestead |
Miami-Dade |
82,807 |
$1,674 |
$380,000 |
$65,423 |
| 15 |
North Miami |
Miami-Dade |
60,344 |
$1,702 |
$365,000 |
$57,188 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 ACS five-year detailed tables B01003, B19013, B25064, and B25077. Dollar estimates are expressed in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars. Values shown are point estimates; differences between places may fall within survey margins of error.
What the Numbers Show
1. Belle Glade, Palm Beach County
Belle Glade records the lowest median gross rent ($898) and the lowest median owner-occupied home value ($163,100) among the 63 qualifying municipalities. Its estimated population is 16,972 and median household income is $48,001. Those two lowest housing-cost ranks place it first in this comparison.
2. Lauderdale Lakes, Broward County
Lauderdale Lakes combines a median gross rent of $1,663 with a median owner-occupied home value of $214,100. Its estimated population is 36,404 and median household income is $50,006. Its especially low home-value estimate moves it to second in the combined ranking.
3. Opa-locka, Miami-Dade County
Opa-locka has a median gross rent of $1,351, the second-lowest renter estimate among qualifying municipalities, and a median owner-occupied home value of $295,800. Its estimated population is 16,282 and median household income is $37,532.
4. Hallandale Beach, Broward County
Hallandale Beach reports a median gross rent of $1,653 and a median owner-occupied home value of $279,100. Its estimated population is 41,854 and median household income is $52,340. The combination places it fourth under the equal-weight method.
5. Palm Springs, Palm Beach County
Palm Springs has a median gross rent of $1,669 and a median owner-occupied home value of $269,800. Its estimated population is 27,356 and median household income is $61,739. Its home-value estimate is the third-lowest in the eligible group.
6. Lauderhill, Broward County
Lauderhill records a median gross rent of $1,684 and a median owner-occupied home value of $272,900. Its estimated population is 74,896 and median household income is $51,165. Both housing measures place it toward the lower-cost end of the three-county comparison.
7. Greenacres, Palm Beach County
Greenacres reports a median gross rent of $1,756 and a median owner-occupied home value of $291,000. Its estimated population is 44,373 and median household income is $70,491. The relatively low home-value estimate is the stronger part of its combined ranking.
8. Margate, Broward County
Margate has a median gross rent of $1,750 and a median owner-occupied home value of $316,200. Its estimated population is 59,198 and median household income is $62,450. Its two housing estimates produce the eighth-lowest average rank.
9. Sweetwater, Miami-Dade County
Sweetwater records a median gross rent of $1,771 and a median owner-occupied home value of $294,200. Its estimated population is 20,085 and median household income is $54,967. The lower home-value estimate helps offset its higher renter rank.
10. Florida City, Miami-Dade County
Florida City reports a median gross rent of $1,362, the third-lowest renter estimate in the eligible group, and a median owner-occupied home value of $399,200. Its estimated population is 12,943 and median household income is $47,482.
11. Riviera Beach, Palm Beach County
Riviera Beach records a median gross rent of $1,702 and a median owner-occupied home value of $354,500. Its estimated population is 38,657 and median household income is $68,060. Its renter estimate is the stronger of its two ranking measures.
12. Pompano Beach, Broward County
Pompano Beach has a median gross rent of $1,724 and a median owner-occupied home value of $349,300. Its estimated population is 114,147 and median household income is $67,195. These measures place it twelfth in the combined point-estimate ranking.
13. Lake Worth Beach, Palm Beach County
Lake Worth Beach reports a median gross rent of $1,545, the fifth-lowest among qualifying municipalities, and a median owner-occupied home value of $401,200. Its estimated population is 43,365 and median household income is $61,200.
14. Homestead, Miami-Dade County
Homestead has a median gross rent of $1,674 and a median owner-occupied home value of $380,000. Its estimated population is 82,807 and median household income is $65,423. Its balanced renter and owner rankings place it fourteenth.
15. North Miami, Miami-Dade County
North Miami records a median gross rent of $1,702 and a median owner-occupied home value of $365,000. Its estimated population is 60,344 and median household income is $57,188. It completes the top 15 under the stated tie-breaking rules.
What This Ranking Does Not Measure
This comparison is a screening tool, not a recommendation to rent or buy. It does not rank schools, crime, commute time, insurance availability, flood exposure, property taxes, association fees, current inventory, or future appreciation. Those questions require separate, address-specific research.
Before making a housing decision, verify current listings and ask for property-specific estimates. The
Florida Department of Revenue explains why assessed value, taxable value, exemptions, and a seller’s current tax bill may not carry over to a buyer. The
Florida Department of Financial Services provides homeowners-insurance guidance, and the
FEMA Flood Map Service Center provides official flood-map research.
Local Screen-Enclosure Resources for the Ranked Communities
If you already own or are evaluating a South Florida home with a screened patio, lanai, or pool cage, inspect the enclosure and include repair or maintenance in the property budget. Use the relevant TD Screen FL local page:
For project planning, compare
pool screen repair,
screen enclosure rescreening, and
screen enclosure repair and replacement. You can also use the
screen enclosure cost calculator as an initial planning tool. A public calculator is not a property inspection or binding quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable place to live in South Florida in this comparison?
Belle Glade ranks first under this article’s method. It has the lowest median gross rent and lowest median owner-occupied home value among the 63 qualifying municipalities. The result uses Census point estimates and does not mean every available home or rental in Belle Glade will cost less than every property elsewhere.
Are these current 2026 home prices and rents?
No. This 2026 guide uses the newest complete place-level Census dataset available when the article was updated: the 2020–2024 ACS five-year estimates released January 29, 2026. The figures are pooled survey estimates expressed in 2024 dollars, not current listings, appraisals, quotes, or July 2026 transaction prices.
What does median gross rent include?
The Census Bureau defines gross rent as contract rent plus estimated renter-paid utilities and fuels, including electricity, gas, water, sewer, and fuel when those costs are paid separately. “Median” means half of measured renter-occupied units fall below the estimate and half fall above it.
Why are schools and crime not included in the ranking?
School assignment and public-safety information require separate, current, location-specific analysis. Broad labels such as “best schools” or “safest city” can be misleading and may not apply to a particular address. This ranking stays limited to the stated Census housing measures and does not make neighborhood-quality judgments.
What other costs should I verify before moving?
Check current rent or purchase price, property taxes after a sale, homeowners and flood insurance, HOA or condo assessments, utilities, commuting, inspections, and maintenance. For homes with outdoor screening, also inspect mesh, doors, fasteners, framing, and storm damage before estimating repair or replacement costs.
Sources and Limitations
Limitations: ACS five-year values are period estimates pooled across 2020–2024, not five-year averages and not point-in-time market prices. Each estimate has a margin of error. The ranking averages two separate point-estimate ranks and does not establish a statistically significant difference between neighboring positions. It excludes municipalities below 10,000 residents, unincorporated communities, and places outside Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Decision disclaimer: These indicators are historical survey benchmarks, not an appraisal, insurance quote, tax estimate, financial forecast, fair-housing recommendation, or advice to rent or buy. Verify current listings, assigned schools, flood exposure, taxes, association costs, inspections, and property-specific insurance before making a decision.
