What Are The Best Places To Live In Florida
It’s no secret that Florida is a great place to live. The weather, beautiful beaches and year-round outdoor activities make it extremely desirable. So, if you’re looking to relocate to a new neighborhood, I’ve put together this list of where I feel are the best places to live in Florida.
Florida is one of the hottest holiday destinations in the US. With its mild climate, proximity to the sea and ample tourists spots Florida truly is a paradise. Florida is also a popular place for immigration and currently has more immigrants than any other state in the US. The great number of immigration stems from its favorable social conditions, favorable taxes and low crime rate. Apart from immigration many people relocate to Florida for their retirement as it offers great services for old people e.g. medical care, accommodation facilities and entertainment etc. This means that there are millions of people looking for the best places to live in Florida where they can enjoy both comfort, lifestyle and great weather. In this article you will learn about some of these places and find out why they are so special…
The following list is the top places that I recommend people move to in Florida. I have made this review with the highest standards and here are my results!
If you want to live in a beautiful place with everything you need just outside your doorstep, then the Sunshine State is for you. Florida has amazing all-year-round weather, some of the best beaches and attractions in the world, and it is filled with some of the friendliest people in the country.
What Are The Best Places To Live In Florida
When you’re moving to another state, it’s a big deal. You want somewhere that you can call home, somewhere where you feel safe and secure. The place that you spend all of your time in, come home to in the evenings and celebrate the special moments of life with your family. The place you retire to once the kids have left home or graduated. You just want a decent quality of life — no more, no less.
Are the endless warm-weather days, paradise beaches and zero state income taxes of Florida calling your name?
Whether you’re moving the whole family, scoping out a new young-professionals scene, or looking for your dream retirement destination—we’ll help you narrow down the best places to live in Florida.
Let’s dive in!
14 Best Places to Live in Florida
First, let’s admit all “best places” lists are subjective. Still, they can inspire you with ideas on where to live. With that said, let’s dig into some of the most popular places in Florida so you can compare their stats and features to see if any stand out to you.1
1. Naples
Nestled in the southwest corner of Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico, Naples holds the top spot for places to live in Florida. Naples is known for its paradise weather, gentle waters and “sugar” sand beaches. There’s plenty to do there like fine dining, boutique shopping—and dolphin viewing!
| Metro Area Population* | 371,453 |
| Average Salary | $47,980 |
| Median Home Price | $345,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,3172 |
| Average Annual Rainfall | 39”3 |
*For each city, the Metro Area Population numbers include the
city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.
2. Sarasota
Also lapping up the Gulf Coast shores, just below Tampa, is Sarasota—home to some of America’s best beaches, like Siesta Key Beach. The water is clear and warm and the sand is so soft and white you’ll feel like you’re sinking your toes into powdered sugar (just don’t sprinkle any on your French toast).
| Metro Area Population | 803,709 |
| Average Salary | $46,040 |
| Median Home Price | $387,630 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,209 |
| Average Annual Rainfall | 53”4 |
3. Melbourne
Okay, now let’s hang out on the east side of Florida. With a front-row view of the Atlantic Ocean, Melbourne is part of Florida’s Space Coast thanks to its close proximity to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. This is where every crewed spaceflight by NASA has been launched. It’s also where Elon Musk’s SpaceX has been flying astronauts and cargo into space.
| Metro Area Population | 585,507 |
| Average Salary | $51,180 |
| Median Home Price | $217,400 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,068 |
| Average Annual Rainfall | 52”5 |
4. Jacksonville
Now let’s travel up to the northeastern corner of Florida, just south of the Georgia state line. That’s where you’ll find Jacksonville—the largest city in the U.S. by land area (outside of Alaska). Several bridges make it convenient to travel between the vibrant downtown area and Jacksonville’s gorgeous beaches. Plus, Jacksonville gives you a front-row seat to cheer on the Jaguars NFL team among other sports teams.
| Metro Area Population | 1,503,574 |
| Average Salary | $48,270 |
| Median Home Price | $303,789 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,093 |
| Average Annual Rainfall | 49″6 |
5. Pensacola
If you head to the westernmost point on Florida’s panhandle, you’ll find Pensacola. Known as the “City of Five Flags,” Pensacola has a long history of other governments laying claim to the area (Spanish, French, British, Confederate, U.S.). This is another beautiful city with that sugar-white sand. There you’ll find emerald-green waves from the Gulf gently splashing along the shoreline. The area also offers plenty of boat ramps to launch you into a deep-sea fishing adventure.
| Metro Area Population | 488,246 |
| Average Salary | $43,920 |
| Median Home Price | $200,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,0157 |
| Average Annual Rainfall | 58”8 |
6. Tampa
With Tampa, you get the best of both worlds—one world, of course, referring to Disney World, which is only a short trip away. And the other world meaning the laid-back beach lifestyle of the Tampa Bay area—which connects to the Gulf of Mexico. Tampa also has its own popular African-themed animal amusement park, Busch Gardens. Tampa’s schools are good and the city is full of diverse culture—including a thriving Hispanic community. The metro area is also home to a number of professional sports teams.
| Metro Area Population | 3,097,859 |
| Average Salary | $49,590 |
| Median Home Price | $301,963 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,115 |
| Average Annual Rainfall | 46”9 |
7. Fort Myers
If you follow Florida’s southwestern river of Caloosahatchee, you’ll spot Fort Myers. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford put Fort Myers on the map when they chose to build their winter homes there. The famous sight of Edison’s royal palm trees along McGregor Boulevard earned Fort Myers the nickname “City of Palms.” As you travel past the gateway of Fort Myers and head closer toward the Gulf, you’ll come across a series of islands—including the shelling beach of Sanibel.
| Metro Area Population | 737,468 |
| Average Salary | $45,300 |
| Median Home Price | $277,900 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,154 |
| Average Annual Rainfall | 53”10 |
8. Port St. Lucie
On the Atlantic coast of southern Florida, Port St. Lucie sits between Orlando and Miami. Home of the spring training grounds for the New York Mets of the MLB, Port St. Lucie offers year-round perfect weather. Along with all the water activities like boating, fishing and paddling near manatees, you can work on your swing at the PGA Golf Club. And, hey, why leave the golfing lifestyle at the green? Keep your golf cart rolling to one of the many grocery stores in Port St. Lucie that provide golf cart parking.