Hidden Gems to Live in Florida: Underrated Palm Beach County Towns Compared With Clear Criteria

Some of the best hidden gems to live in Florida are small towns that sit right next to famous names. In Palm Beach County, buyers often start with Boca Raton, Jupiter or Wellington. Then the prices push them to look a little harder. That is when places like Lantana, Tequesta, Lake Clarke Shores and Palm Springs show up. None of them tops the glossy "best places" lists. Yet each one offers something specific, from a town beach to a freshwater lake. This guide compares the four on clear criteria, with honest trade-offs, so you can decide which ones deserve a weekend drive.

Key takeaways

• We compare four small towns on price, water access, location, rent and inventory.
• According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, median list prices range from $157,900 in Palm Springs to $750,000 in Lake Clarke Shores.
• Lantana and Tequesta offer ocean access. Lake Clarke Shores sits on a freshwater lake. Palm Springs is a central, inland village.
• Small towns mean small samples. Lake Clarke Shores had just 15 active listings and Tequesta 98, so the numbers can swing quickly.
• Rankings age fast. Check current listings, flood zones and insurance quotes before you rely on any comparison.

How we picked these hidden gems to live in Florida

A "hidden gem" can mean almost anything, so we set rules first. Each town had to be its own municipality in Palm Beach County, with its own local government. It also had to be small and less searched than its big neighbors. Then we judged each one on five points:

1. Price: the median list price of active listings, from Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026
2. Water access: beach, Intracoastal or lake access within or next to the town
3. Location: how close the town sits to I-95, jobs and shopping
4. Rent: the median asking rent, useful if you want to rent before you buy
5. Inventory: how many homes are for sale at once

One note on the numbers. A median list price is the middle asking price of homes for sale now, with houses and condos mixed. It is not a sale price. So use it to compare towns, not to price a specific home. For county context, Miami Realtors reported a $650,000 median sale price for single family homes in Palm Beach County in August 2026.

Lantana: a beach town hidden in plain sight

Lantana sits between Lake Worth Beach and Boynton Beach. The town says it was incorporated in 1921, covers about 3 square miles and still keeps the feel of the old fishing village it grew from. It is one of the older towns in the county.

Water access is the big draw. Lantana runs its own municipal beach park on the barrier island, plus Sportsman's Park on the Intracoastal with a boat ramp. For a town this size, that is a lot of public waterfront. I-95 runs along the west side of town, so the commute north or south starts fast.

According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, Lantana had 168 active listings with a median list price of $372,500 and a median of $339 per square foot. The median asking rent was $2,495.

Trade-offs: Many homes are older, which brings roof, insurance and flood questions. Inventory is also modest. See what is on the market now on our Lantana page.

Tequesta: a quiet river village at the county's north edge

Tequesta sits at the north tip of Palm Beach County, just above Jupiter and below Martin County. The village incorporated in 1957 and spreads from the Loxahatchee River east to the ocean on Jupiter Island. Life here centers on boats, the river and quiet streets.

Coral Cove Park, at 1600 Beach Road in Tequesta, has 600 feet of guarded ocean beach and 600 feet of Intracoastal frontage, according to Palm Beach County Parks. Meanwhile, Jupiter's shops and restaurants are a short drive south.

As of October 1, 2026, Pure Equity's MLS data shows 98 active listings in Tequesta, a median list price of $700,000 and a median of $439 per square foot. The median asking rent was $4,425. That is a small sample.

Trade-offs: Tequesta is small and built out, so few homes come up at once. Most homes are decades old, and there is little nightlife. It is a gem for buyers who want calm over variety. Track listings on our Tequesta page.

Lake Clarke Shores: one of the hidden gems to live in Florida on fresh water

Lake Clarke Shores is a town of about one square mile, between West Palm Beach and Lake Worth Beach. According to the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, property owners incorporated it in 1957, and it sits west of I-95. So downtown West Palm Beach and the airport are a short drive.

The town sits on Lake Clarke, part of a freshwater chain that also includes Lake Osborne. It keeps five small parks, including a boat ramp park. That makes it a rare option for buyers who want lakefront living without Intracoastal prices or salt air.

Pure Equity's MLS data shows just 15 active listings as of October 1, 2026, with a median list price of $750,000 and $417 per square foot. With only six active rentals, the $8,250 median asking rent says little about typical rents.

Trade-offs: Inventory is tiny, so you may wait months for the right home. Lakefront buyers should check seawalls, dock permits and the flood zone. Freshwater boating also differs from ocean boating. Watch our Lake Clarke Shores page for new listings.

Palm Springs: a central village with lower prices

Palm Springs is not the California desert resort. This Palm Springs is a village of about 2.5 square miles in central Palm Beach County, between Lake Clarke Shores and Greenacres. It incorporated in 1957 on land that was once a dairy farm, and the original barn is now part of a church on Henthorne Drive.

The village sits along major roads such as Lake Worth Road, Congress Avenue and Military Trail. So most errands stay short, and I-95 is close. The village also runs its own police department and water utility.

According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, Palm Springs had 179 active listings with a median list price of $157,900 and $189 per square foot. The median asking rent was $2,100. Because houses and condos are mixed, that median does not describe a typical single family home.

Trade-offs: There is no beach or Intracoastal frontage in town. Some addresses that say "Palm Springs" sit outside village limits, so check the Property Appraiser record. Browse listings on our Palm Springs city page.

Side by side: hidden gems to live in Florida compared

Here is a quick summary using the criteria above, based on Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026.

• Lantana: $372,500 median list price, ocean and Intracoastal access, next to I-95, $2,495 median rent, moderate inventory.
• Tequesta: $700,000 median list price, river and ocean access, north end of the county, $4,425 median rent, small inventory.
• Lake Clarke Shores: $750,000 median list price, freshwater lake access, central near I-95, too few rentals for a useful rent figure, very small inventory.
• Palm Springs: $157,900 median list price, no direct water access, central with easy road access, $2,100 median rent, moderate inventory.

So each town suits a different buyer. Lantana fits beach lovers on a budget. Tequesta fits boaters who want quiet. Lake Clarke Shores fits buyers who want a lake view near the city. Palm Springs fits buyers who want the lowest entry price in a central spot.

Costs to check in these hidden gems to live in Florida

A low list price is only part of the monthly cost. In small, older towns, a few other items can change the math a lot.

First, look at insurance. Older roofs and homes near water can cost more to insure, and some carriers ask for a four-point inspection on older homes. Next, check the tax bill. Each town sets its own millage rate, and that shows up on the bill along with county and school taxes. Also ask about HOA or condo fees, since condos and many communities carry monthly dues.

Then compare the total. A $372,500 condo with high dues may cost more each month than a pricier house with no association. So run the full numbers for each home on your list.

Before you rely on any ranking

Lists like this one age quickly. A new project, a change in insurance rules or a few big sales can shift a small town's numbers in a month. So treat this as a starting point.

• Pull current listings and recent sales for each town.
• Look up the flood zone for every address. FEMA's maps for the county changed in December 2024.
• Get insurance quotes early, especially for older homes near water.
• Check crime maps and school assignments for the exact address.
• Read city council agendas for planned projects nearby.
• Visit at different times, including a weekday rush hour and a Saturday night.

Frequently asked questions

What are some hidden gems to live in Florida near Palm Beach?

Small towns such as Lantana, Tequesta, Lake Clarke Shores and Palm Springs get less attention than Boca Raton or Jupiter, yet each offers its own mix of price, water access and location.

Which of these towns is the most affordable?

Palm Springs had the lowest median list price, $157,900, as of October 1, 2026. That figure mixes condos and houses, so compare single family homes on their own before you decide.

Which town is best for boating?

Tequesta and Lantana offer river, Intracoastal and ocean access. Lake Clarke Shores offers freshwater boating on its lake chain, which suits smaller boats and paddling.

Why are there so few homes for sale in these towns?

They are small and mostly built out. Lake Clarke Shores covers about one square mile, so only a handful of homes list at once.

Are these towns good for families?

Many families live in all four. Check the assigned public schools for each address with the School District of Palm Beach County, since boundaries can change.

Sources

• Town of Lantana, About us
• Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Tequesta
• Palm Beach County Parks, Coral Cove Park
• Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Lake Clarke Shores
• Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Palm Springs
• Village of Palm Springs, FAQ
• Miami Realtors, Palm Beach County August 2026 home sales
• Palm Beach County, Update on flood zones
• U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Gazetteer file for Florida places

Own a home in one of these small towns? Low inventory can work in your favor when you sell. See what your home is worth. Thinking of moving here? Request a free relocation consultation and we will help you compare towns street by street.