6 Florida Cities Where Housing Costs Are Cooling
Florida remains one of the country's most popular states to buy a home, but it's also one of the most expensive housing markets. The good news is that home values have fallen in several cities in the Sunshine State.
Here are six Florida cities where housing affordability may be improving.
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1. Cape Coral
Average home value: $338,328 (down 6.8% year over year)
Data from Zillow shows the average home value in Cape Coral has fallen 6.8% over the past year. Cody Schuiteboer, president and CEO of Best Interest Financial, identified Cape Coral as one of Florida's emerging buyer-friendly markets, citing price declines and increased negotiating leverage.
2. Fort Myers
Average home value: $310,245 (down 8.4% year over year)
The average home value in Fort Myers has fallen 9.4% over the past year, according to Zillow. In April 2026, nearly 87% of homes sold below list price, according to the same report.
3. Tampa
Average home value: $379,284 (down 2.7% year over year)
Zillow data shows 64.5% of homes sold below list price in April. Combined with modest home value declines, those figures suggest Tampa's housing market is becoming less competitive for buyers.
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4. Jacksonville
Average home value: $287,325 (down 2.2% year over year)
The average home value in Jacksonville has fallen 2.2% over the past year, per Zillow. About 65% of homes sold below list price in April.
5. Ocala
Average home value: $268,844 (down 2.9% year over year)
According to Zillow, the average home value in Ocala has fallen 2.9% over the past year. At roughly $269,000, Ocala's average home value remains lower than many Florida housing markets. The same data also reports that 74.5% of homes sold below list price in April.
6. Daytona Beach
Average home value: Approximately $250,051 (down 4.6% year over year)
About 79% of homes sold below list price in April, according to Zillow. Combined with falling home values, that suggests buyers may have more negotiating power than they did just a few years ago.
The Bottom Line
Some Florida housing markets are becoming more buyer-friendly as sellers adjust their expectations, and buyers gain more negotiating power. However, a lower listing price doesn't automatically mean a home is affordable.
"The list price is the part everyone fixates on and the least important," said Robert Kirkland, a Realtor with Simply Real Estate in Volusia County.
Before making an offer, buyers should estimate the full cost of ownership, including homeowners insurance, property taxes, HOA fees and mortgage payments. Kirkland said factors such as a home's roof age and wind-mitigation features can have a major impact on insurance costs, which means two similarly priced homes may not cost the same to own.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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