New Port Richey is a riverfront city on the Pithlachascotee River, known locally as the Cotee River, with a revitalized historic downtown and Gulf access. Developers in the 1920s hoped it would become a winter retreat for movie stars (Homes.com). Today it offers some of the most affordable homes near the water in the Tampa Bay area.
New Port Richey at a glance
- Median sale price: around $269,000 (Zillow, September 2026)
- What you’ll find: historic bungalows near downtown, canal and river homes with Gulf access, and older, affordable single-family homes throughout
- Getting to Tampa: about 40 minutes to an hour via the Suncoast Parkway or SR-54
- County: Pasco (incorporated 1924)
Downtown and the river
The heart of town is Sims Park, set between the Cotee River and Orange Lake. It was the city’s first public park, named in 1924 after founder George Sims (Florida Nature Coast). Main Street has restaurants, breweries and the restored Hacienda Hotel, and the Richey Suncoast Theatre hosts live shows. Historic bungalows sit within walking distance of downtown.
Neighborhoods and communities to know
- Downtown New Port Richey: walkable streets with older bungalows, close to Sims Park and Main Street
- Gulf Harbors and Flor-A-Mar: canal communities west of US-19 with Gulf access for boaters (Homes.com)
- River neighborhoods: homes along the Cotee River, some with docks
- Inland subdivisions: affordable single-family homes from the 1970s to the 2000s east of US-19
Getting around
US-19 runs north–south through the city, and SR-54 and SR-52 connect east to the Suncoast Parkway. Clearwater and Tarpon Springs are 20–30 minutes south, and Tampa International Airport is about 40 minutes away.
The trade-offs (straight answers)
- Flood and storm surge near the water. Coastal and river homes can sit in high-risk flood zones, and storm surge from recent hurricanes has flooded parts of coastal Pasco. Get the elevation certificate, flood history and quotes before you offer.
- Older homes. Much of the housing dates to the mid-20th century. Roof age, electrical and plumbing drive insurance cost.
- US-19 traffic. The main corridor is busy. Choose your location with your daily drive in mind.
- Neighborhood by neighborhood. Downtown has been revitalizing quickly, and conditions vary from street to street. Tour at different times of day.
Things to do
- Sims Park and Main Street: concerts, festivals, restaurants and the riverfront boardwalk
- Cotee River: kayaking, paddleboarding and boating out to the Gulf
- Robert K. Rees Memorial Park: a Gulf-front park with a boardwalk and observation tower
- James E. Grey Preserve: walking trails close to downtown
Thinking about New Port Richey?
Tell me whether you want walkable downtown, a dock on the river or the most home for the money, and I’ll send recent sales along with the flood and insurance numbers that come with each.