If you like amazing beaches, favorable taxes, and affordable real estate, the Sunshine State may be the place for you. But where in Florida should you call home? We researched cities from the Panhandle to the Keys to find the best places to live in Florida based on features that are on top of most homebuyers’ minds.
How we picked the best places to live in Florida
We’re big fans of just about every place you can live in Florida, so picking the best wasn’t easy. Ultimately, we came up with these five categories to help us choose.
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Cost of living: The cost of living index is a measure used to compare the cost of living in one area versus another based on what people typically spend on basic necessities. Costs included in the index include housing, utilities, healthcare, entertainment, transportation, gas and commuting, food, child care, and taxes.The cost of living index is expressed relative to a baseline of 100. A city with a cost of living index of 105, for example, is considered to have a cost of living that is 5% more expensive than the national average. The overall cost of living index for Florida is 102.8, or 2% higher than the national average. For our list, we awarded higher scores to cities with a lower cost of living index.
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Housing costs: Housing costs are up everywhere in 2024, and Florida is no exception. Most of the cities on our list have seen extreme increases in home values over the last several years. Cities with median home sale prices under $250,000 scored highest on our list, with mid-range scores given to cities with home prices between $350,000 and $400,000. Note: Home median sales are accurate as of publication date.
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Lifestyle: Our lifestyle score is based on the cultural, recreational, and entertainment opportunities available in each city.
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Crime rate: We used data from NeighborhoodScout to assess Florida cities’ crime rates.
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Schools: We focused our schools analysis on average test scores based on data from Public School Review.
Our top ten Florida cities could earn up to 10 points in each category for a possible total of 50 points. The chart below shows our scores for each category.
Top 10 Best Places to Live in Florida
|
Total |
Cost of Living |
Housing |
Lifestyle |
Crime Rate |
Public Schools |
|
|
Ocala |
30 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
3 |
3 |
|
Tampa |
28 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
4 |
6 |
|
Daytona Beach |
28 |
7 |
6 |
10 |
3 |
2 |
|
Jacksonville |
26 |
6 |
5 |
9 |
1 |
5 |
|
Port St. Lucie |
26 |
5 |
4 |
7 |
6 |
4 |
|
Fort Myers |
25 |
4 |
4 |
8 |
4 |
5 |
|
Cape Coral |
24 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
|
Pensacola |
24 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
3 |
2 |
|
Naples |
23 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
4 |
8 |
|
Sarasota |
22 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
2 |
7 |
1. Ocala
Score: 30/50
Located in central Florida, Ocala stands out as the only city on our list that isn’t located on the ocean. The result is a different lifestyle than many of its beach town counterparts. Ocala is best known for its equestrian roots, with rolling hills and green pastures dominating the scenery.
Housing costs in Ocala are reasonable.The median home sale price in Ocala is $260,000, and the cost of living index is 87. Ocala’s historic district boasts several unique types of homes, including Queen Anne, Tudor, and Mediterranean styles.
2. Tampa
Score: 28/50
Tampa is a sports fan’s dream location. Not only do professional football, baseball, and hockey teams call the city home, but several major league baseball teams hold their spring training camps in the area. While the city is a great place for anyone who loves being on the water, it also offers a lively mix of museums, hot night spots, and family-friendly attractions.
Perhaps the most important qualities are its cost of living index,104.2, and median home sale price, $430,000.
3. Daytona Beach
Score: 28/50
There’s more to Daytona Beach than just the Daytona International Speedway, though that is a major attraction for car enthusiasts. Like many people living in Florida, Daytona residents like being outdoors, whether that means fishing, golfing, or just enjoying the beach. However, Daytona balances recreational activities with a vibrant cultural scene that offers several museums and theaters.
Daytona is also a very affordable city. The median home sale price is $286,000, and the cost of living index is 94.9.
4. Jacksonville
Score: 26/50
Like many Florida cities, Jacksonville boasts beautiful beaches where residents can swim, surf, and sail. But the opportunities to get outside don’t stop there. The St. Johns River also flows through the city, and the area has the largest urban park system in the country.
Add to this a growing job market, a median home sale price of $260,000, and a cost of living index of 95.7, and it’s easy to see why Jacksonville is one of the best places to live in Florida.
5. Port St. Lucie
Score: 26/50
If chill is your thing but you still want to be close to the bustle of a big city, then you may find that Port St. Lucie is the best place to live in Florida. It’s halfway between Miami and Orlando, giving you access ty= bars and restaurants by night and amusement parks by day. And you’ll still find people around Port St. Lucie paddleboarding along scenic waterways or playing a few rounds of golf.
Port St. Lucie’s premium location does mean you’ll pay a bit more to live there. Typical home prices are around $434,000 and the cost of living index is 98.6.
6. Fort Myers
Score: 25/50
Fort Myers is one of the top retirement communities in America, and much of the city's lifestyle reflects its older demographic. However, there are plenty of recreational opportunities for residents of all ages, including fishing, kayaking, hiking, and biking. Moreover, Fort Myers is a fairly affordable city, with a cost of living index of 104.2 and typical home prices of $355,000.
7. Cape Coral
Score: 24/50
Dreaming about owning a home on the waterfront? Then Cape Coral may be the place for you. Not only is the city located on a peninsula, but Cape Coral has more than 400 miles of canals for your enjoyment, many of which take you to the Gulf of Mexico.
Residents pay for the sights both in terms of median home prices around $380,000. And while our first source doesn’t list a cost of living index for the city, Yahoo! Finance puts it at 105, making Cape Coral one of Florida’s most expensive cities.
8. Pensacola
Score: 24/50
Located in the Florida Panhandle, Pensacola is known for its emerald green water and white sand beaches. The local architecture and cultural activities highlight the city's Spanish and Native American influences, as do many of the city’s festivals. All of this also comes with a low cost of living index that’s 11% lower than the rest of the state and median home prices around $402,000.
9. Naples
Score: 23/50
Fashionistas may want to take a closer look at Naples as many high-end retailers have stores in the area. But if browsing boutiques is not your thing, you might still consider Naples for its fine restaurants, amazing beachfront, or world-class golf.
Living in Naples doesn’t come cheap. As of June, 2024, the average home sale price in the city is $665,00 and the cost of living index is 113. That said, Naples is considered safer than 28% of all US cities, with a crime rate of 16.67 per 1,000 residents.
10. Sarasota
Score: 22/50
Sarasota feels like a small town with some big-city amenities, including several performing arts venues. The city is also home to several well-known art festivals, ranging from street painting to improv.
The average home sale price in Sarasota is high at $427,000, and the cost of living index, 105.3, is moderate. But the combination of outdoor activities, art, and culture make Sarasota a town worth considering for your forever home.
If Florida isn’t your cup of tea, then check out our article on the best places to live in the US!
