Sunny beaches all year round, the cost of living just 2.8% higher than the national average according to data from The Council for Community and Economic Research, no state income tax, access to good health care, and a high concentration of bustling businesses place Florida firmly in the top ten states where Americans, and not only, want to relocate . What are the best places to live in Florida? Let’s discover them.
Table of Contents
Naples
Nestled along the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida, the pristine beaches of Naples are some of the most beautiful in the state. With spreading golf courses, a great selection of restaurants, shops, and plenty of leisure activities, Naples tops the list of the best places to live in Florida. This is no secret for the rich who choose it as their favorite winter retreat and over-50s who find a corner of earthly paradise in Naples, where they can retire in Florida while enjoying all the amenities the area has to offer.
Property values in Naples are high and local authorities rely heavily on property taxes, which vary from area to area in Collier County, as a primary source of income.
Florida residents can take advantage of the homestead exemption according to which homeowners may be entitled to reduce the taxable value of the property that is their permanent residence or the permanent residence of a family member.
# 1 in Best Places to live in Florida
# 2 in Best Places to Retire
# 3 in Best Place to Live for Quality of Life
# 4 in Fastest-Growing Places
# 7 in Best Places to live
NAPLES | Value |
|---|---|
Metro Area Population* | 371.453 |
Average Annual Salary | $47.980 |
Average Home Price | $ 345.000 |
Average Monthly Rent | $1.317 |
Median Age | 50.8 years old |
Average Annual Rainfall | 39” |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Source: the Research U.S. News – 150 best Places to live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
Sarasota
Located south of Tampa Bay and some than 60 miles from the city, Sarasota is another favorite spot for people seeking peace and relaxation on its beautiful, powder-white beaches and lush natural surroundings. It is a delightful city of just over 800,000 people, characterized by a vibrant arts community and a wide range of fine dining venues for discerning palates.
Sarasota was once dismissed as a playground for the retired but that is changing. More and more young professionals are starting to make this place their own, like in the Rosemary District, one of the city’s most up-and-coming neighborhoods, with its eclectic murals decorating shop windows and trendy cafés.
For a metropolitan area of its size, Sarasota is not a cheap place to live in Florida. Residents pay a combination of local property taxes charged by the county, the cities, and school districts.
# 2 in Best Places to live in Florida
# 9 in Best Places to live in the USA
# 1 in Best Places to retire
# 2 in Fastest-Growing Places
SARASOTA | Value |
|---|---|
Metro Area Population* | 803.709 |
Average Annual Salary | $ 46.040 |
Average Home Price | $ 387.630 |
Average Monthly Rent | $1.209 |
Median Age | 52.5 years old |
Average Annual Rainfall | 53” |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Source:the Research U.S. News 150 best Places to live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
Melbourne
Positioned near the Indian River along Florida’s Space Coast, Melbourne is close to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Centre making it a hub for high-tech companies, many of which have connections with NASA. This is where all of NASA’s manned space flights took off, and it is also where Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the first private aerospace company, is based.
Melbourne also offers heavenly beaches, stunning natural landscapes, great public golf courses, and many water-based activities centered along the Indian River. The city center and surrounding areas offer a blend of restaurants, bars and shops, museums, art galleries, and a host of things to do for people of all ages.
The average sale price of a house in Melbourne is lower than the national average and so is sales tax. However, commodities such as gas and food, tend to be more expensive here than elsewhere.
# 3 in Best Places to live in Florida
# 4 in Best Places to retire
# 7 in Best Places to Live for Quality of Life
# 10 in Fastest-Growing Places
MELBOURNE | Value |
|---|---|
Metro Area Population* | 585.507 |
Average Annual Salary | $ 51.180 |
Average Home Price | $ 217.400 |
Average Monthly Rent | $ 1.068 |
Median Age | 47.3 years old |
Average Annual Rainfall | 52” |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Source:the Research U.S. News 150 best Places to live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
Jacksonville
Situated on Florida’s northeast Atlantic coast, Jacksonville is the largest metropolitan city in the USA by geographic extent after Alaska. It is crossed by the St. Johns River and where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. The area is full of beautiful beaches and culturally diverse neighborhoods, all well connected by the many bridges across the river. Authentic local cuisine, craft beer, and fun, cosmopolitan nightlife make Jacksonville a great destination.
The cost of homes in Jacksonville is lower than the national average sales price although costs vary depending on the neighborhood and type of building. For many residents, the biggest daily expense is transport, because most people use their cars to get around.
# 4 in Best Places to live in Florida
# 18 in Fastest-Growing Places
# 22 in Best Places to live
# 24 in Best Places to retire
JACKSONVILLE | Value |
|---|---|
Metro Area Population* | 1.503.574 |
Average Annual Salary | $ 48.270 |
Average Home Price | $ 303.789 |
Average Monthly Rent | $ 1.093 |
Median Age | 38.3 years old |
Average Annual Rainfall | 49” |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Source:the Research U.S. News 150 best Places to live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
Pensacola
The westernmost city of Florida is about 13 miles from the Alabama border. It is also known as the City of the Five Flags because five governments – Spanish, French, British, the Confederate States, and the United States – ruled it during its history and it still bears the marks of this troubled and fascinatingly diverse history.
Pensacola attracts a large number of tourists every year, for the natural beauty of the place, the wonderful beaches overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, its waters great for fishing, which attract all deep-sea fishing enthusiasts, and for the bustling cultural events and festivals, like the Pensacola Seafood Festival and the Pensacola Crawfish Festival, to name but a few.
The cost of living in Pensacola is cheaper than what the US average pays mostly due to the low housing costs in the area. The average house value is generally lower than the national average.
# 5 in Best Places to live in Florida
# 10 in Best Places to retire
PENSACOLA | Value |
|---|---|
Metro Area Population* | 448.246 |
Average Annual Salary | $ 43.920 |
Average Home Price | $ 200.800 |
Average Monthly Rent | $ 1.015 |
Median Age | 38.3 years old |
Average Annual Rainfall | 58” |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Source:the Research U.S. News 150 best Places to live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
Tampa
With about 400,000 inhabitants, Tampa is the third-largest city in Florida after Jacksonville and Miami. It is the commercial heart of Florida’s west coast, with a bustling business district, full of banks and hi-tech companies, and a busy port where cruise and cargo ships dock. The city also has a thriving Hispanic community, best known for Ybor City, once known as the cigar capital of the world.
Residents of the Tampa Bay area enjoy lush nature, beautiful beaches for water sports, numerous outdoor activities for all tastes, museums, a wide range of entertainment options, and plenty of dining opportunities.
The cost of living in the Tampa Bay area is on par with the national average even though the housing market has become increasingly competitive in recent years.
# 6 in Best Places to live in Florida
# 6 in Best Places to retire
# 15 in Fastest-Growing Places
TAMPA | Value |
|---|---|
Metro Area Population* | 3.097.859 |
Average Annual Salary | $ 49.590 |
Average Home Price | $ 301.963 |
Average Monthly Rent | $ 1.115 |
Median Age | 42.1 years old |
Average Annual Rainfall | 46” |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Source:the Research U.S. News 150 best Places to live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
Fort Myers
Fort Myers, which is becoming one of Florida’s largest tourist destinations and economic hubs, is located on the southwest coast of Florida.
Also nicknamed the City of Palms, it attracts new residents and holidaymakers with its glorious year-round weather, lush flora, waterways, and proximity to white sandy beaches, in addition to an array of outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, and plenty of cultural and gastronomic opportunities. These qualities in the past attracted famous seasonal residents, such as Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone.
The population of Fort Myers grew by almost 40 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to data from the US Census Bureau. This has led to a competitive real estate market, although properties remain less expensive than in other Florida cities.
The sales tax rate in Fort Myers is lower than the national average. However, property taxes in Fort Myers are among the highest in the state.
# 7 in Best Places to live in Florida
# 7 in Best Places to retire
# 3 in Fastest-Growing Places
FORT MYERS | Value |
|---|---|
Metro Area Population* | 737.468 |
Average Annual Salary | $ 45.300 |
Average Home Price | $ 277.900 |
Average Monthly Rent | $ 1.154 |
Median Age | 48.5 years old |
Average Annual Rainfall | 53” |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Source:the Research U.S. News 150 best Places to live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
Port St. Lucie
Located on the Atlantic coast of South Florida, Port St. Lucie is about halfway between Orlando and Miami. It has a more relaxed atmosphere than the larger cities, thanks to its quiet neighborhoods and lush golf courses, which weave around the picturesque waterways of the St. Lucie River that runs through it, used by locals mainly for boating and fishing.
The city is also home to a large number of parks and nature reserves, rich specimens of local flora and fauna, ideal for anyone who enjoys getting in touch with nature. The New York Mets come to town every year for spring training.
As the popularity of the city has increased in recent years, the cost of accommodation in Port St. Lucie has also risen, although the area is less expensive than other Florida cities, such as Miami. Groceries and restaurants are slightly more expensive than in other parts of Central and North Florida.
# 8 in Best Places to live in Florida
# 8 in Best Places to retire
# 8 in Fastest-Growing Places
PORT ST. LUCIE | Value |
|---|---|
Metro Area Population* | 472.012 |
Average Annual Salary | $ 45.630 |
Average Home Price | $ 233.133 |
Average Monthly Rent | $ 1.162 |
Median Age | 47.8 years old |
Average Annual Rainfall | 40” |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Source:the Research U.S. News 150 best Places to live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
Ocala
Ocala, an inland town in Florida, surrounded by hills and green pastures, is known as the Horse Capital of the World, with deep roots in horse riding and the annual training of Kentucky Derby racehorses.
The verdant landscape of the surrounding horse farms, used in many Hollywood films, frames the city, where home to a thriving logistics industry that takes advantage of the strategic location in the heart of Florida.
The average selling price of a home in Ocala is lower than the national average, but as with many other metropolitan areas in the United States, home values are steadily on the rise. Property taxes in Ocala are also close to the state average.
# 9 in Best Places to live in Florida
# 16 in Best Places to retire
# 6 in Fastest-Growing Places
OCALA | Value |
|---|---|
Metro Area Population* | 353.526 |
Average Annual Salary | $ 39.640 |
Average Home Price | $ 168.850 |
Average Monthly Rent | $ 896 |
Median Age | 48.7 years old |
Average Annual Rainfall | 42” |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Source:the Research U.S. News 150 best Places to live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
Orlando
Orlando is the third-largest city in Florida, with a population of over 1.5 million living around its 100 lakes, each of which offers something unique between birdwatching and outdoor activities on the water, also ideal for escaping the chaotic entertainment industry, the most impressive in the world. For most people, Orlando means Disney World, the world’s most visited amusement park, Universal Studios, and the 50 other theme parks that make Orlando the most visited city in Florida with over 50 million visitors each year.
The subtropical climate, pleasant lifestyle, excellent healthcare, recreational facilities, quality education, and modern infrastructure have fueled population growth in Orlando over the years.
The cost of housing in Orlando is close to the national average selling price, although it has risen dramatically in recent years.
# 10 in Best Places to live in Florida
# 18 in Best Places to retire
# 9 in Fastest-Growing Places
ORLANDO | Value |
|---|---|
Metro Area Population* | 2.508.970 |
Average Annual Salary | $ 46.140 |
Average Home Price | $ 338.974 |
Average Monthly Rent | $ 1.210 |
Median Age | 37.2 years old |
Average Annual Rainfall | 51” |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Source:the Research U.S. News 150 best Places to live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is located in Volusia County on the Atlantic coast. Known for the famous Daytona 500 motor race of the NASCAR International Circuit, the city offers many other attractions that make it a good place to choose to live in Florida. Fishing, the most popular pastime for locals, outings to the beach, golf, plenty of other outdoor activities, and, of course, motorsports. The Daytona International Speedway regularly welcomes NASCAR fans from all over the country throughout the year. There is no shortage of museums, theatres, performing arts centers, antique markets, restaurants, and shopping malls that enliven the city in any season.
The development of the Daytona Beach metropolitan area and adjacent communities, like Port Orange, South Daytona, Ponce Inlet, Ormond Beach, and Holly Hill, offer a wide choice of housing solutions at various price points. The cost of living in Daytona Beach is lower than the national average.
# 11 in Best Places to live in Florida
# 3 in Best Places to retire
# 7 in Fastest-Growing Places
DAYTONA BEACH | Value |
|---|---|
Metro Area Population* | 646.288 |
Average Annual Salary | $ 40.930 |
Average Home Price | $ 278.897 |
Average Monthly Rent | $ 1.076 |
Median Age | 47.5 years old |
Average Annual Rainfall | 50” |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Source:the Research U.S. News 150 best Places to live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
Tallahassee
Tallahassee is the capital of Florida and is very different from the typical Florida famed for white sandy beaches and summer all year round. Given its location, the city has four different seasons. Spring and autumn are pleasant, winters are short but chiller than in the coastal regions of Florida, although rarely with temperatures below zero, and summers are long, hot, and humid. Tallahassee is characterized by a landscape of red clay hills, natural springs, and underwater caves.
It is a family-friendly area of Florida, known for its parks and sporting events, and boasts three higher education institutions: Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College.
The economy of Tallahassee is heavily dependent on the public sector, being the state capital and seat of Leon County, and relies on a public university campus. The main industries are food, tobacco, wood, and publishing companies. Property in Tallahassee is more affordable than in other Florida cities, despite rising property values and home sales prices, while the property tax rate is close to or below the national average.
# 12 in Best Places to live in Florida
# 14 in Best Places to live for Quality of Life
TALLAHASSEE | Value |
|---|---|
Metro Area Population* | 382.197 |
Average Annual Salary | $ 46.500 |
Average Home Price | $ 190.500 |
Average Monthly Rent | $ 991 |
Median Age | 33.8 years old |
Average Annual Rainfall | 47” |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Source:the Research U.S. News 150 best Places to live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
Lakeland
Located between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland, aptly named for its 38 beautiful lakes, is steeped in Old Florida history and natural beauty.
Remnants of Lakeland’s past, such as the Polk Theatre and Munn Park, remind residents of its 19th-century roots, with antique dealers, specialty shops, art galleries, museums, including the Polk Museum of Art and the Florida Air Museum, restaurants and pubs, right in the heart of downtown Lakeland.
Lakeland is a great place for families in Florida and is full of attractions, including the quaint lagoon landscape, while in spring residents can watch the Detroit Tigers prepare for the upcoming baseball season at Joker Marchant Stadium.
The cost of living in Lakeland is lower than in neighboring Orlando or Tampa, but so is the average annual salary.
# 12 in Best Places to live in Florida
# 14 in Best Places to live for Quality of Life
LAKELAND | Value |
|---|---|
Metro Area Population* | 382.197 |
Average Annual Salary | $ 46.500 |
Average Home Price | $ 190.500 |
Average Monthly Rent | $ 991 |
Median Age | 33.8 years old |
Average Annual Rainfall | 47” |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Source:the Research U.S. News 150 best Places to live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
Miami
Miami is the third most populated metropolitan area on Florida’s east coast. Nicknamed The Magic City, it is one of the most vibrant metropolitan areas in the United States, as well as one of the world’s largest international shopping malls, year after year.
Miami’s suburbs, such as Doral, Coral Gables, and Key Biscayne, are beautiful and family-friendly, while Miami Beach retains its proverbial party atmosphere. Each city district reflects the different communities that live and work there, giving character to the entire metropolitan area.
This tropical city offers perfect weather all year round, perfect for enjoying the outdoor shops and watching professional teams of all major sports. And there is no shortage of nature trips to explore the natural areas near Miami, like the Biscayne National Park and the Everglades.
The cost of living in Miami is higher than the national average, and the most expensive investment is housing.
# 14 in Best Places to live in Florida
# 2 in Most Expensive Places to Live
# 24 in Best Places to live for Quality of Life
# 48 in Best Places to retire
MIAMI | Value |
|---|---|
Metro Area Population* | 6.090.660 |
Average Annual Salary | $ 50.060 |
Average Home Price | $ 247.112 |
Average Monthly Rent | $ 1.363 |
Median Age | 41 years old |
Average Annual Rainfall | 62” |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
Source:the Research U.S. News 150 best Places to live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
If you are ready to move to Florida, the next step is to find your dream home. There is no shortage of great real estate proposals on the NEO platform.
