Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Gainesville, FL
Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Gainesville are Cricket Club, Kirkwood, and University Heights South. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Gainesville, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of December 25, 2025, the average rent in Gainesville is $1,253, which is 2% higher than last year. However, it's important to remember that rental prices can vary significantly based on factors such as location, amenities, and floor plans.
Cricket Club
Average Rent
$1,124/Month
TransitScore® Rating
0/100
Units Available
12 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Gainesville neighborhood on a budget, check out Cricket Club. The average rent is $1,124, compared to the city average of $1,253. Cricket Club is convenient to Tower Plaza, Markets West at Tower Road, and University of Florida. The community is car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 19.
Kirkwood
Average Rent
$1,303/Month
TransitScore® Rating
0/100
Units Available
37 Rentals
Kirkwood is an affordable neighborhood in Gainesville with an average rent price of $1,303. Compare this to the city average of $1,253. Kirkwood provides easy access to Bivens Arm Nature Park, Boulware Springs Park and Historic Waterworks, and University of Florida. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 44.
University Heights South
Average Rent
$1,321/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
5.5%
TransitScore® Rating
0/100
Units Available
40 Rentals
If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Gainesville, University Heights South might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,321, while the city’s average stands at $1,253. In the last year, prices have increased by 5.5%. University Heights South is near The Shops at 700, Univ of Florida Observatory, and Boulware Springs Park and Historic Waterworks.
Downtown Gainesville
Average Rent
$1,372/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
2.4%
TransitScore® Rating
0/100
Units Available
33 Rentals
Downtown Gainesville is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Downtown Gainesville is $1,372 while the city average is $1,253. This is a 2.4% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to College of Central Florida, Morningside Nature Center, and Univ of Florida Observatory. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 83.
Portofino
Average Rent
$1,372/Month
Units Available
16 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Gainesville neighborhood on a budget, check out Portofino. The average rent is $1,372, compared to the city average of $1,253. Portofino is convenient to Cofrin Nature Park, McGuire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity, and Gainesville Regional.
Westchester Manor
Average Rent
$1,382/Month
Units Available
13 Rentals
Westchester Manor is an affordable neighborhood in Gainesville with an average rent price of $1,382. Compare this to the city average of $1,253. Westchester Manor provides easy access to Tower Center, Gainesville Regional, and McGuire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity.
Hermitage
Average Rent
$1,387/Month
Units Available
10 Rentals
If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Gainesville, Hermitage might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,387, while the city’s average stands at $1,253. Hermitage is near Santa Fe College, Cofrin Nature Park, and Gainesville Plaza.
Brandywine Condominiums
Average Rent
$1,394/Month
TransitScore® Rating
0/100
Units Available
48 Rentals
Brandywine Condominiums is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Brandywine Condominiums is $1,394 while the city average is $1,253. Residents enjoy convenient access to McGuire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity, Century Shoppes at Archer, and Gainesville Regional. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 46.
South Gainesville
Average Rent
$1,410/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
2.2%
TransitScore® Rating
0/100
Units Available
235 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Gainesville neighborhood on a budget, check out South Gainesville. The average rent is $1,410, compared to the city average of $1,253. Rent prices have increased by 2.2%. South Gainesville is convenient to McGuire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity, Gainesville Regional, and University of Florida. The community is car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 41.
Innovation District
Average Rent
$1,420/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
2.4%
TransitScore® Rating
0/100
Units Available
83 Rentals
Innovation District is an affordable neighborhood in Gainesville with an average rent price of $1,420. Compare this to the city average of $1,253. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 2.4%. Innovation District provides easy access to Gainesville Regional, Sun Center, and Bivens Arm Nature Park. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 83.
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Methodology
Transit Score measures access to public transit. Scores range from 0 (minimal transit) to 100 (rider’s paradise). Learn more about the Transit Score methodology. Rental data is sourced from CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As a leading authority in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar performs in-depth research to build and sustain an extensive database of commercial real estate insights.
We've combined this data with public records to provide the most current rental information available.