Americans love Florida! And why wouldn’t you? Sunkissed beaches, zero income tax, great healthcare, and low cost of living mean that the Sunshine State consistently ranks amongst the top 5 states with high inbound migration.
300,000 Americans moved to Florida last year. The monthly cost of living is just $4,224. That’s 2% lower than the national average. And zero state income tax means it’s not just the snowbirds, but also Californians and New Yorkers who love Florida.
Between Pensacola and Miami, you’ll find it all. That’s true, whether you are a young professional looking to elevate your career or an old-timer looking for a retirement destination. Let’s explore the best places to live in Florida!
Find Homes in Some of the Best Places in FL
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Find Homes in Some of the Best Places in FL
View 243,262 Homes For Sale in Florida
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3 Reasons to Live in Florida 🏖️
- Flourishing Job Market: By 2030, job markets in Florida will rise by 17.3%. Defense, research, tourism, and healthcare are the growing sectors.
- Ample Tax Benefits: Florida is a zero-income tax state. For retirees, the state doesn’t tax retirement benefits. All homeowners enjoy tax exemptions up to $50,000 on their primary residence. Limited partnerships or LLC businesses also get tax exemptions.
- Affordable Living: Necessities like food, clothing, and groceries cost 2% less than the rest of the country.
Best Places to Live in Florida in 2024
| # | Region | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | North | Jacksonville | 971,319 | $295,018 | $6,594 | 2.3% | 59/100 |
| 2. | North | Pensacola | 53,876 | $258,715 | $6,413 | 2.3% | 55/100 |
| 3. | North | Tallahassee | 201,731 | $261,700 | $6,522 | 2.5% | 54/100 |
| 4. | Central | Tampa | 398,173 | $391,949 | $6,941 | 3.2% | 59/100 |
| 5. | Central | Melbourne | 86,441 | $375,504 | $6,641 | 2.4% | 59/100 |
| 6. | South | Naples | 19,618 | $594,106 | $7,360 | 2.1% | 64/100 |
| 7. | South | Miami | 449,514 | $568,926 | $7,549 | 2.1% | 64/100 |
Best Places to Live in Northern Florida
North Florida has ample work opportunities and good healthcare facilities. Here are the top 3 places to live in North Florida in 2024:
1. Jacksonville: Best City to Move on a Budget
| Home Value | ⬇️ 0.2% |
| Median Household Income | $58,263 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,594 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 59/100 |
Jacksonville is a good choice if you want to move on a budget. The median home value in River City is $295,018, a significant $97,904 less than the median value in the state.
The cost of living is 6% below the national average. Banking, healthcare, and transportation are the growing sectors in Jacksonville.
» Homes For Sale in Jacksonville, FL: Find your dream home in the River City.
2. Pensacola: Best City for First-Time Home Buyers
| Home Value | ⬆️ 2.4% |
| Median Income | $59,119 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,413 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 55/100 |
Pensacola offers affordable housing in Florida. A median house costs $258,715, 13% lower than the state average. Pensacola also has a flourishing job market. Therefore, the unemployment rate in the city is 1.1% less than the national average.
» Homes For Sale in Pensacola, FL: Browse thousands of property listings in Pensacola.
3. Tallahassee: Best City for Post-High School Education
| Home Value | ⬆️ 6.0% |
| Median Income | $49,077 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,522 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 54/100 |
Home to Florida State University, Tallahassee is an ideal college town to pursue post-high school education. Tally provides immense job and research opportunities in public policy and political science.
Tallahassee’s median home sale price is $261,700, significantly lower than the national average of $412,000. Housing and utility expenses cost 12% to 13% less than the national average.
» Homes For Sale in Tallahassee, FL: View thousands of properties for sale in this college town.
Best Places to Live in Central Florida
Central Florida is a perfect blend of culture and a sunny climate. Here are the 2 best places to live in Central Florida in 2024:
4. Tampa: Best City for Young Professionals
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.8% |
| Median Income | $59,893 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,941 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 59/100 |
Tampa is a good option for young adults and families. The metro area is home to major sports teams such as the Lightning and the Rays. Tampa offers a gateway to pristine beaches on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
Tourism and MacDill Air Force Base are prominent employment providers in the service and manufacturing industries. Tampa is well-connected to other cities in Florida. For instance, you can drive to Orlando or Miami in 2 to 4 hours.
» Homes For Sale in Tampa, FL: Discover the top single-family homes listed in Tampa.
5. Melbourne: Best Place to Live for Weather
| Home Value | ⬆️ 2.4% |
| Median Income | $55,543 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,641 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 59/100 |
Melbourne combines a warm climate, work opportunities, and a rich culture. With over 230 sunny days, Melbourne is the best place to live in Florida for weather.
Situated on the Space Coast, Melbourne is home to rocket launches and beach vacations. You can find opportunities in space research and aerospace technology. Apart from that, there are many cultural events, art galleries, and dining places in Melbourne downtown.
» Homes For Sale in Melbourne, FL: Find best properties in the Melbourne neighborhood.
Best Places to Live in South Florida
South Florida is famous for its vibrant nightlife and sunny beaches, ideal for young adults. Here are the 2 best places in South Florida:
6. Naples: Best City for Professional Growth
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.1% |
| Median Income | $125,306 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,360 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.1% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 64/100 |
Naples is the best area in Florida to live for professional growth. The job market in the Golf Capital of the World will grow by 39.3% over the next decade. Also, the city’s crime rate is 37% lower than the state average.
The living costs in this city are 20% higher than the national average. This makes Naples one of the most expensive cities to live in Florida.
» Homes For Sale in Naples, FL: View best luxurious properties for sale in Naples.
7. Miami: Best City for Luxurious Lifestyle
| Home Value | ⬆️ 8.4% |
| Median Income | $47,860 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,549 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.1% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 64/100 |
Miami is Florida’s second most populated city, with a population of 449,514. Miami’s fast-growing job market has made it “The New Silicon Valley”. The city is a good place to work in the aviation, finance, healthcare, and tourism industries.
Miami is less preferred by families due to a high crime rate and an expensive cost of living. However, you can use first-time home buyer programs to buy a home in Miami.
» Homes For Sale in Miami, FL: View the best waterfront properties in Miami.
Best Places to Live in Florida for Families
School districts, safe neighborhoods, and good connectivity are necessary when moving with your family. Here are the best cities to live in Florida for families:
- St. Petersburg: This city is home to many reputable private schools in Florida. The Pinellas County School District has several educational programs. St. Petersburg also hosts various family-friendly activities and events, such as St. Pete Pier events.
- Miami Beach: Home to over 165 public schools, Miami Beach is the best place to stay in Florida for education. However, this beach town’s living and housing expenses are a bit steeper.
Best Places to Live in Florida for Young Adults
Florida offers some of the best places for young adults looking for educational and employment opportunities.
- Coral Gables: The City Beautiful is a vibrant place to live in Florida. It is home to the University of Miami which gives this city a youthful vibe. Coral Gables has work opportunities in the educational, healthcare, and retail sectors.
- Gainesville: A median age of just 26.5 makes Gainesville ideal for youngsters. The city offers a college-town atmosphere and has some of the best school districts in the state.
Where to Live in Florida for Retirees?
The following are the best places to live in FL for retirees:
- Ocala: The city is a close-knit community surrounded by lush natural beauty. The inland location protects Ocala against hurricanes and storms. Costs of housing, utilities, food & groceries, and goods & services are 6% to 15% below the national average.
- Sarasota: It is the best place to live in Florida if you want to retire in a beach town. The population’s median age here is 54, which shows Sarasota is bustling with retirees.
Best Places in Florida to Live for Young Professionals
Here are the top places to live in Florida for professional growth:
- Orlando: By 2030, employment opportunities in O-town may grow by 10.2%. Orlando is leading the nation in biotech, space research, defense, and aerospace technologies.
- Fort Lauderdale: Job opportunities in Fort Lauderdale will grow by 6.9% by 2030. Some of the fastest-growing sectors are healthcare, food, and scientific research.
Bottom Line
Florida is one of the best places to live in the US due to its tax-friendly policies and warm climate. Other things that contribute are the flourishing job market and sunny beaches.
The Sunshine State offers a decent cost of living, just 1.1% higher than the national average. However, the housing prices are 4% higher than in other states and are uneven throughout Florida.
In some places, the median prices are around $250,000, whereas in some Florida cities, it can go up to $560,000. So, do your research before you move to Florida. To start your home search, browse properties online.
Find Homes For Sale by Type and Style in FL
Research Methodology
We considered North, Central, and South regions to rank the best places in Florida. Comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Florida and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Florida Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in Florida for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, retirees, and working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Florida a good place to live?
Yes, Florida is a good place to live. The Sunshine State has a warm to sunny climate throughout the year. The state authorities charge no income tax from citizens. And the job market in Florida is expected to grow by 17.3% by 2030. Here are the nicest places to live in Florida.
What is the best city to live in Florida?
Jacksonville is the best city to live in Florida. It offers an affordable cost of living and immense educational and work opportunities. Also, the median home value in Jacksonville is $97,904 below the state average.
What is the nicest part of Florida to live?
South Florida is a good region to live in Florida. It has some of the most scenic beach towns and a vibrant nightlife. South Florida is more suited for retirees due to the high cost of living and expensive housing. Check out some of the best cities to live in South Florida.
Where is the nicest but cheapest place to live in Florida?
With a cost of living 16% below the national average, Lake City is one of the cheapest places to live in Florida.
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