If you're considering moving to the Sunshine State and settling in a brand new home, you'll have abundant options. The state is home to many of the best markets in the nation for new home construction.
Whether you're looking to purchase a home on the northern edge around Jacksonville or the south toward Miami and Fort Myers, you will discover numerous new home developments with affordable new construction homes in Florida. There are excellent choices throughout the state.
That said, some cities are more attractive than others, with some offering the perfect blend of Floridian living, excellent job prospects and high-quality affordable homes.
In this guide, we've listed our picks for the best new construction markets in Florida, which should help you make a more informed decision when deciding on your upcoming new home purchase.
Before revealing the best places to secure a brand-new home in Florida, it's worth looking at why the state has become the go-to destination for families, young professionals and retirees searching for a brand-new house to move into.
First and foremost, it's delivering numbers of new single-family housing units at a rate unmatched anywhere else in the country. While 212,000 new single-family home construction permits were issued in Florida in 2022 (placing the state second nationally behind Texas), that number has increased steadily.
Through Q2 2024 alone, the state issued 56,175 permits – a 10% year-over-year increase. Some areas are well above the state average, with Lee County (which covers most of the Fort Myers metro area) reporting a 72% year-over-year increase in new home construction.
With the further incentives of no state income tax, fantastic weather year-round, two coastlines with incredible beaches and the increasing freedom many employees have to work remotely, new home construction shows no signs of slowing down in the Sunshine State. The rate of new construction authorizations in Florida (21.1 per 1,000 existing homes) is nearly double the national rate (11.7).
Thanks to fierce competition among home builders, prospective homebuyers have plenty of choices and can enjoy high-quality homes with modern finishes and top-class community amenities.
Florida is one of the best places to purchase a new home; many homebuyers struggle with deciding where. With so many cities and well-known metropolitan areas, deciding which one best suits you and your family can be challenging.
With that in mind, the list of markets below has been compiled based on numerous factors such as housing availability, quality of life and job prospects. We hope this helps you make a more informed decision about where to start the search for your new home.
There's no better place to start than Jacksonville, the state's largest city by population and the largest by land mass in the United States. The city boasts 22 miles of uninterrupted coastline (more than any other US city) and a thriving local economy bolstered by industries tied to the naval base and air station. As if that wasn't enough to attract you to the so-called "Gateway to Florida," it boasts the country's most extensive urban park system, professional sports teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars and family attractions such as Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.
Despite being such an attractive place to live and work, many new construction homes in Jacksonville still fit most American families' budgets. For instance, brand-new 3-bedroom homes with a wealth of upgrades and community amenities included at no extra cost are currently on the market in the high $200s. Meanwhile, 4-bed and 2-bath homes closer to the center are available for $375,000.
Check out our affordable homes near Middleburg at Jennings Farm
Tampa is rarely ranked outside the top 5 places to live in Florida (currently ranked #4 by US News), and it's easy to see why. Not only do you have sun, sand, and sea on your doorstep, but you also benefit from world-class attractions, including Busch Gardens, Adventure Island Waterpark, and the Florida Aquarium, to name just a few.
The economy is strong in Tampa, too, with a robust healthcare and financial industry. Other highlights include a wealth of Major League sports teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), Tampa Bay Rays (MLB) and Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL).
Tampa has new homes for various buyer preferences and budgets. Luxury homebuyers will find spacious residences in a gated neighborhood on two- to five-acre homesites. Buyers looking for more modest accommodations will discover these3-bedroom homes with over 1,200 square feet of living space for less than $360,000.
These affordable new construction homes in Tampa are approximately $72,000 less than the median listing price of homes throughout the state, which was $432,425 in December 2024. This pricing advantage makes Tampa an attractive destination for homebuyers looking for new construction without breaking the bank.
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Orlando needs no introduction. Known for its world-famous attractions, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, this buzzing city offers a superb quality of life. During downtime, families can watch pro sports teams, including the Orlando Magic and Orlando City, and explore over 100 lakes on the weekends.
Theme parks and resorts are unsurprisingly the leading employers here. However, strong healthcare and financial sectors and big-name employers such as Lockheed Martin and the University of Central Florida also help round out the local economy. Orlando has also been a city that has experienced recent increases in new housing inventory, with supply increasing by 18% in Q4 2024.
The boosted inventory has kept home prices stable, and you can find brand new 3-bed homes in Orlando from the low $300s. If you're part of a growing family, new 5-bedroom homes are available for less than $425,000.
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Fort Myers might be the best location if you are looking further south for your upcoming home move. Currently the fastest-growing city in the United States, it's no surprise that it's also become a hub for new residential construction. Last year saw a 16% year-on-year increase for new home construction in Lee County, making it one of the leaders for new homes state-wide. As a prospective homebuyer, you can snap up a brand-new 3-bed, 2-bathroom home in Fort Myers with almost 1500 square feet of living space for less than $400,000.
Fort Myers boasts many of the best features of Florida living. You can enjoy white sandy beaches and boat trips to sea and inland via the Caloosahatchee River. Nature lovers will love fast access to the several aquatic preserves and wildlife parks in Lee County. There's plenty of culture on offer, too, with multiple events held throughout the year, including the Southwest Florida Music Festival and Artfest Fort Myers.
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Ocala is another nature lover's paradise, the 'Horse Capital of the World.' Even if you're not into equestrian pursuits, you have rivers, lakes, rolling hills and the Ocala National Forest to explore during your downtime. You can spend evenings in the quaint historic downtown area with bars, restaurants and retail stores in Victorian-style architecture.
There's a strong local economy, too. While the number one industry is equestrian, there are excellent job prospects for those working in healthcare, retail, hospitality and agriculture. There's excellent availability for new construction homes in Ocala, and prices are significantly below the state average. You can purchase a brand new 3-bedroom home for less than $300,000. Meanwhile, you can buy a five-bed home for less than $350,000, representing incredible value for money.
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While it might not attract the same headlines as other leading Florida cities, Lakeland is one of the best places to buy a new home nationally. It's undergoing a boom in new home construction and has recently been ranked 3rd nationally for the number of new homes being built per 1000,000 people. That ranking places it ahead of both Orlando and Tampa. Due to that inventory glut, new construction homes in Lakeland are also within financial reach of most prospective buyers, with 3-bed homes starting in the low $300s and 4-bed homes starting in the high $300s.
As well as being one of the best places for new construction, there's plenty to like about living in Lakeland. Not only are you on the doorstep of all those world-leading theme parks on the outskirts of Orlando but there are also plenty of things to do closer to home. You can explore many of the 38 lakes that give this city its name, head out to Circle B Bar Reserve (a 1,267-acre reserve with numerous trails), or view the latest exhibits and displays at the Florida Air Museum.
Take advantage of extra savings on homes in Lake Alfred
We've run through our top picks for new home construction markets in Florida. However, some other locations are worth considering that also deliver a high quality of life and affordable housing costs.
While you might know this city for the Daytona 500, it offers over 20 miles of unspoiled beaches and attractions such as the Daytona Beach Boardwalk, making it appealing to most demographics. New homes in the Daytona Beach area are affordable, too, with 3-bedroom homes starting in the low $300s.
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Currently rated by US News as the second-best place to live in Florida, Sarasota has been described as a 'year-round playground' with stunning beaches and tons of opportunities for outdoor adventures. Add in a robust and diverse local economy and recent increases in new home construction, and there's plenty to like about this location. New construction homes start in the low $300s for a 3-bed, 2-bath property.
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As the name suggests, Winter Haven offers the best of Florida, with year-round sunshine and Orlando, Lakeland and Tampa all just a short drive away. You also have the Disney and Universal resorts on your doorstep, making this city an excellent choice if you have a family. There's also the added advantage of greater affordability being a little way out from the major urban centers on either side. You can snap up a 2-bed starter home for less than $300,000, while large 3-bed homes remain less than $350,000.
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If you're looking for a laid-back beach-town vibe, then Fort Pierce might be the perfect choice. Situated on the Treasure Coast, you can enjoy sandy beaches and year-round sunshine without the hustle and bustle of a much bigger city. New construction homes here remain affordable, with plenty of 3 and 4-bedroom floor plans available for less than $400,000.
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Florida is undoubtedly one of the best places to own a new construction home. The state boasts several cities leading the way in single-family homes under construction. It offers residents many benefits, including no state income tax, sunshine year-round and fast access to beaches and top-tier attractions.
LGI Homes is committed to giving you the best possible start to homeownership in Florida. Our homes are all move-in-ready and feature upgraded finishes and appliances at no extra cost. You can also benefit from many community amenities, including swimming pools, hiking/biking trails, and private parks.
If you want to learn more about affordable LGI Homes in Florida, speak to one of our New Home Consultants and schedule a tour of our new homes and communities.
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