Whether you want to call it by its nickname, “Hogtown,” or just by name, Gainesville is a great area to live on the Gulf Coast. This seaside city is known for many things, including its parks, nature, and historic architecture.
If you are looking to buy a house in Gainesville, expect to see the median home sales price to be $259,500 and the median sales price per square foot to be $177. And if you are looking to rent a apartment in Gainesvillethe median rental price for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,491.
Don’t worry if those prices don’t fit your budget—we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. To help you find the right city, we’ve put together a list of the 4 best affordable Gainesville suburbs to check out. And they are all less than 35 minutes from the city. No matter where you live, you’ll still be close enough to Gainesville to explore all the city has to offer without the price of living there.
#1: Starks
Median home price: $149,900
Average sales price per square foot: $165
Driving distance from Gainesville: 35 minutes
Homes for Sale in Starke, FL
Apartments for Rent in Starke, FL
With a median home sales price of $149,900, Starke is the most affordable Gainesville suburb on our list. About 5,800 people live in this suburban area, and you’ll be just a 35-minute drive from downtown Gainesville. If you’re considering a move to this area, be sure to explore the Bradford County Fair, visit the charming downtown area, or check out Crosby Lake.
#2: High Springs
Median home price: $274,900
Average sales price per square foot: $193
Driving distance from Gainesville: 35 minutes
Homes for sale in High Springs, FL
Apartments for rent in High Springs, FL
Slightly more expensive than Starke is High Springs. About a 35-minute drive from downtown Gainesville, you can explore the Butterfly Rainforest and Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park in no time. When you live in this suburb of 6,200, you can also spend the day visiting the downtown High Springs area.
#3: Newberry
Median home price: $310,990
Average sales price per square foot: $175
Driving distance from Gainesville: 35 minutes
Newberry, FL Homes for Sale
Apartments for rent in Newberry, FL
Just 35 minutes away, you’ll find the suburb of Newberry. Even with a population of around 7,300, there are many unique places to visit in Newberry. If you’re moving to the third most affordable suburb, be sure to explore the Watermelon Pond Wildlife and Environment Area, where you’ll find a pond and walking trails.
#4: Alachua
Median home price: $357,245
Average sales price per square foot: $181
Driving distance from Gainesville: 25 minutes
Homes for sale in Alachua, FL
Apartments for rent in Alachua, FL
Only slightly more expensive than Newberry is none other than Alachua. There are several top attractions that you may want to visit in suburban Gainesville. Be sure to visit Turkey Creek Preserve or check out one of the golf courses.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether the median home sales price in a suburb or median sales price per square foot is less than Gainesville and is less than a 35-minute drive from downtown Gainesville. Data on the average sale price of the house in the Redfin Data Center during March 2023. Average rental data for rent.com March 2023. Population data obtained from the United States Census Bureau.
