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With its laid-back surf culture, sun-swathed sandy stretches and charming downtown thronged with locally owned cafes, New Smyrna Beach has long been a favorite among Floridians looking for a quieter alternative to Orlando or Key West. Now, it’s gaining attention for another reason: affordability among digital nomads.
According to a new study by digital business card provider Wave Connect, New Smyrna Beach ranks among the cheapest beach towns in the country for digital nomads this summer, with the median monthly rent for a studio apartment coming in at $1,700.
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“New Smyrna never built big resorts or high-rises; it has stayed a small ‘Old Florida’ beach town, and that keeps rent and everyday costs low,” a Wave Connect spokesperson told Moneywise over email of the beachline with a shoreline that runs 13 miles. “It's one of the few Florida beaches where you can drive right onto the sand.”
As remote work continues to reshape where Americans choose to live, coastal destinations are increasingly competing not just on scenery, but also on internet speeds, cost of living and laptop-friendly infrastructure.
Affordable beach living still exists in some corners of the coast
Wave Connect analyzed 40 coastal towns across the U.S., evaluating them based on factors including internet speeds, coworking spaces, average summer temperatures, rent prices, cost of living and neighborhood safety.
While Naples, Florida, claimed the No. 1 overall spot for remote workers thanks to its 303 Mbps internet speeds, established work-from-home community and three coworking spaces, New Smyrna Beach stood out for its affordability.
The beach town boasts a median monthly rent of just $1,700 — hundreds less than Naples’ typical $2,300 monthly rent and significantly below many California beach communities, where median rents range from roughly $2,400 to $3,500 per month.
“Out of the 10 towns in the ranking, New Smyrna Beach is the cheapest on two things: its median monthly rent (around $1,712 according to the U.S. Census data) is the lowest in the top 10 and its cost-of-living index of 94.9 is also the lowest of the 10,” a Wave Connect spokesperson told Moneywise. “That means living costs there are about 5% below the U.S. average. Most of the better-known towns on the list are 13% to 65% above it.”
The study gets its cost-of-living numbers from BestPlaces, the spokesperson said. BestPlaces sets the U.S. average at 100, then adds up the cost of everyday basics: housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare and other goods and services, as well as taxes and childcare.
“Housing is the biggest reason for New Smyrna’s low cost of living, while basic utilities run about $190 a month,” the spokesperson said. “For comparison, that's roughly 20% cheaper than Miami — and far cheaper than coastal California.”
New Smyrna Beach also offers download speeds averaging 275 Mbps, which is fast enough for video meetings, streaming and large file transfers. Average summer temperatures hover around a warm but manageable 81.5 F. And it’s also one of the safest towns in the study (97 out of 100).
“Its motto is ‘a swan among ducks,’” the spokesperson said of Florida's second-oldest city.
Although the town doesn’t currently have any dedicated coworking spaces, more than one in five residents already work remotely, suggesting that digital nomads won’t be alone when setting up at a local coffee shop or beachfront cafe. It’s also only about an hour from Orlando (and its airport) and 20- to 30-minute drive from Daytona for those who want to venture out to bigger cities from time to time.
Best neighborhoods in New Smyrna Beach for digital nomads
Of the neighborhoods to check out in New Smyrna Beach, Wave Connect tells Moneywise that Flagler Avenue (by the beach) is a perfectly “walkable strip right by the sand.” It’s full of cafes, surf shops, galleries and restaurants, and most of the rentals are there, too.
“It's the easiest place to walk to dinner and meet people,” the spokesperson said.
North Beach — just north of Flagler, next to the dog-friendly Smyrna Dunes Park — is another great location with “older cottages and some newer homes.” Meanwhile, Central Beach offers “a mix of homes and condos with beach access,” but they still offer lower prices than the priciest spots, making it “a good value pick.”
Wave Connect also recommends checking out Canal Street on the mainland, the town's arts district, which it describes as boasting “tree-lined streets, historic homes, galleries and coffee shops. “ While it’s not right on the beach, it’s only “a short drive to the sand” and “good for someone who wants culture and lower rent.”
“It has a lively arts scene,” the spokesperson said. “The Canal Street district and The Hub on Canal feature more than 70 local artists with monthly art walks.”
Lastly, Bethune Beach on the south end of the city is the quietest, most residential area. It sits next to the undeveloped Canaveral National Seashore, and Wave Connect tells Moneywise that it’s a “great for focused work.”
Remote work is changing where Americans live
The rise of digital nomads isn’t slowing down. According to an MBO Partners’ most recent State of Independence study, 18.5 million American workers were considered digital nomads in 2025, marking a 2.2% increase over the previous year. Meanwhile, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics research shows remote work remains far above pre-pandemic levels, even as many employers have adopted hybrid work arrangements.
Wave Connect’s rankings reflect how established remote-work communities can make destinations more attractive beyond typical tourist attractions and pretty views.
Naples, for example, has more than 37% of residents working from home, while Manhattan Beach, California, boasts an even higher share at 39.1%. Santa Monica is considered California’s top beach town for digital nomads thanks to its 13 coworking spaces, nearly 350 Mbps internet speeds and mild summer temperatures averaging just around 65 F.
Florida dominated the rankings overall, claiming six of the top 10 spots, including Miami Beach, Marco Island, Sunny Isles Beach, Jacksonville Beach and New Smyrna Beach.
“Florida and California being all over this ranking is no surprise at all,” George El-Hage, founder and CEO of Wave Connect, said in a statement shared with Moneywise. “These are the states with the best beaches in the country and a remote-work scene that’s been growing for years.”
For remote workers hoping to trade four office walls for ocean views without paying luxury beach-town prices, New Smyrna Beach may offer one of the best values this summer — combining relatively affordable rent, reliable internet and easy access to one of Florida’s most beautiful beaches.
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