Are you considering a move to Florida? With its long stretches on the Atlantic Ocean coastline on the East, Florida’s Gulf Coast on its West, vibrant cities, theme parks, and sunny weather, it’s no wonder why Florida is one of the most popular relocation destinations in the United States.
According to one statistic, Since the golden era of the 1960s, it has been one of the best places to settle for America.
If you’re looking to move to the Sunshine State and live a laid-back beach lifestyle, you may be wondering which city would be the best place to live in Florida.
We bring you this comprehensive article to provide all the information you need to make an informed decision. From major metro cities, theme parks, amusement parks, and golf courses to sandy beaches, you’ll find an overview of the top places to live in Florida, the cost of living, safety ratings, and much more.
1. Reasons to Move to Best Places to Live in Florida
There are two major reasons to consider moving to Florida.
Florida is called the “Sunshine State,” and for obvious reasons. The state has warm weather with an average annual temperature of around 74 degrees, making it one of the warmest places to live in the United States. You can expect the average temperature in Florida to fluctuate between 57 and 90 degrees throughout the year.
Apart from the weather, Florida is known as a vacation spot, ranging from sandy beaches to water sports activities and award-winning restaurants.
While Florida is warm all year round, it does experience mild variations in weather throughout the seasons. Florida’s climate is classified as humid subtropical, with various weather conditions.
The state’s humidity is among the highest in the country, so you can expect to see plenty of rain throughout the year. You can also expect hurricanes, a natural part of the season, lasting from June to November.
The second reason is that Florida does not impose state taxes; Florida residents only pay federal taxes.
2. Ten Best Places to Live in Florida
Now, Let’s get down to the meat of the subject; here are the top 10 places to live in Florida.
On a SideNote:- Here is a study that goes over real estate in more status detail, as it’s more of a generalized list of places.
North and Northwest Florida
North and Northwest Florida is the only area bordering the neighboring states, Georgia State Line to the North and Alabama, Mississippi to the Northwest in the United States. The fact that it is connected makes it an attractive site for relocation.
Famously known as the Florida panhandle, the Northwestern Florida borders of Florida at the Gulf of Mexico are popular for the white sand beaches and blue-green waters.
Some popular destinations around here are the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, Crescent Beach, Pensacola Beach, and Big Lagoon State Park. The major cities in this area are Jacksonville and Tallahassee.
2.1 Jacksonville:
Jacksonville is the “River City” of Florida and also the largest. If you are moving to Jacksonville, you will instantly notice the city’s culture and vibrancy, with approximately 63 inches of rain each year.
Jacksonville has a population of roughly 54% White, 25% Black or African American, and 17% Hispanic or Latino. If you want to move to Jacksonville, it’s important to note that the city has one of the highest crime rates in Florida.
However, you will be safe when choosing neighborhoods within Jacksonville with a lower crime rate. You might have second thoughts here, but Jacksonville reportedly has Florida’s most affordable housing environment in 2022.
2.1.1 Median Home Price:
Jacksonville has one of the least expensive houses; it is 8% lower than the national average.
2.2 Tallahassee:
Tallahassee is known for its urban and suburban mix of housing communities. Surrounded by several National parks, Tallahassee Antique Car Museum, Grayton Beach Park, St.Andrews State Park, and Panama City Beach are a few to mention here.
The crime rates are considerably low, and several safe neighborhoods are available. Feel free to visit this site to shortlist the safe areas.
2.2.1 Median Home Price:
According to one study on Statista, The average housing price reported in Tallahassee in October 2022 is around USD 296,000/- making it one of Florida’s highly preferred buying markets.
Central Florida
Central Florida is a place for tourists with many attractions, such as Walt Disney or the Orlando Metropolitan Area. If you are moving to Central Florida, one of the best places to live in Florida, you can expect to enjoy a low cost of living and a low crime rate.
Central Florida has moderate rainfall each year and remains one of the best places to live in Florida, thanks to its friendly community and many cultural attractions.
2.3 Orlando
Orlando is for those looking for culture, history, and scenic beauty. Orlando is the most visited city in the Sunshine State and is home to the world’s theme park capital, Walt Disney World.
Orlando has a roughly 46% White population, 19% Hispanic or Latino, and 14% Black or African American. The cost of living in Orlando is moderately high, but the city remains one of the best places to live in Florida.
Orlando is a fairly safe city with a low crime rate, so you can feel safe and secure in your home. You can also expect moderate rainfall in Orlando, with an average of roughly 60 inches yearly.
2.3.1 Median Home Price:
Various reports state the average price is around USD 390,000/- with a 16-17% rise from the previous year’s price.
2.3.2 Major Advantages
In addition to the Walt Disney Theme parks, Downtown Orlando is one of the most lively cities in Florida. Downtown Orlando is filled with trendy shopping centers and fine-dining restaurants.
Also, Orlando is reported to have good public schools in Florida for your children’s bright future, making it highly suitable for families and raising children.
Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral National Seashore, and the famous Daytona International Speedway racetrack are close to Orlando. You can visit the renowned track and watch the events in person; for more details, visit the official website.
Daytona Beach is another popular attraction spot in Volusia County. With the least number of Florida residents, Daytona Beach’s population is reported to be 74,000 people, making it one of the top relaxation spots for tourists and residents.
2.4 Tampa
Tampa is the largest city in the Tampa Bay region and one of the most affordable cities in Florida, making it a great place to live for people with a limited budget. Tampa is the best place to live if you’re looking for a quiet and relaxed place to call home.
The Tampa Bay area is located on the Southwest coast of Florida, and the Tampa Bay metro area is the major populated metro area on the West coast of Florida, constituting Tampa, St. Petersburg, and a few more counties.
Tampa is a historic Southern city and is home to many Southern traditions. If you’re looking to move to Tampa, you should know that the city has a low cost of living but a high crime rate. Tampa experiences an average amount of rainfall each year, but temperatures will be fairly moderate all year.
In Tampa, Hyde Park is a high-end neighborhood known popularly for custom home models surrounded by premium shopping malls, grocery stores, and restaurants.
If you are particular about gated communities in the Tampa Bay region, look out for Valencia Del Sol, one of the best communities to live in.
2.5 St. Petersburg:
St. Petersburg is a cultural hub home to the Salvador Dali Museum, the YMCA Indian Trading Post, and the John G. Wingate Herbarium. One of the advantages of moving to St. Petersburg is the low cost of living and being close to some of Florida’s most beautiful beaches.
You can expect roughly 60 inches of rainfall yearly in St. Petersburg. The city has a higher-than-average crime rate, so you may want to consider moving to a different neighborhood to reduce your risk of being a victim of crime.
2.5.1 Median Home Price: Tampa and Surrounding Cities
According to Realtor, the median listing price is around USD 430,000/- and is sold at USD 400,000/-
South Florida
2.6 Fort Lauderdale:
Fort Lauderdale is a cultural hub that has a long and colorful history. This is the perfect place to live if you want to be part of a thriving cultural scene and experience the best Florida offers.
Fort Lauderdale is also home to various tourist attractions, making it the perfect place to settle down if you enjoy visiting museums and historic sites.
If you want to move to Fort Lauderdale, you should know that the city has a high cost of living and a moderate crime rate. You can expect roughly 86 inches of rainfall yearly in Fort Lauderdale.
Pompano Beach is among the popular resting spots. On the flip side, within an hour’s drive south, you have Miami, packed exclusively for Young adults.
2.7 Miami:
The City of Miami is the most populous in Florida and is one of the most populated metropolitan cities in South Florida. Miami is one of the country’s most multicultural cities and the perfect place to live if you’re looking to be a part of a thriving cultural scene.
If you want to move to Miami, the best place to live in Florida, it’s important to remember that it has one of the country’s highest cost of living rates and is most popular with young adults.
Being one of the costliest cities, Miami is also one of the most dangerous cities in Florida and the entire country, so you should keep crime in mind if you’re considering a move. Miami’s average annual temperature is around 75 degrees. The city sees roughly 86 inches of rain each year.
2.7.1 Median Home Price:
The Realtor reports that the average cost is around USD 500,000/-, 40% higher than the national average.
While Miami might be too costly, within Miami is Coral Gables County, which has a great housing community. Coral Gables offers a sense of safety with a low crime rate and a well-planned road structure with less traffic.
2.7.2 Major Attractions
Miami has a lot to offer to anyone visiting or staying in Florida. Miami is filled with major popular attractions; Miami Beach, South Beach, and Highland Beach are a few of the popular beaches. Being on the Atlantic coast and living among the coastal community of Miami gives the vibe of a permanent vacation.
Several professional sports teams from Miami participate in all major sports activities in the country, attracting tourists and play season crowds.
You can always visit the Florida Keys for a long drive by the sea. Key Largo is the first spot away from mainland Florida, known for bird watching and enjoying the natural beauty.
Key West is the most preferred location, considering the distance from the city’s hustles and busy streets. Key West is the Southernmost point of the Continental USA and has a beautiful coral reef to explore.
Additionally, there are several water sports activities with popular Yacht clubs and professional Golf courses in Miami. With gorgeous beaches, beach parks, art galleries, and nightlife, Miami is among the best cities to spend your life as a Young Professional.
Southwest Florida
Heard of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates or the famous Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary? Well, these popular attractions are in Southwest Florida.
If you consider moving, you can expect a moderate cost of living and a low crime rate.
2.8 Fort Myers:
Fort Myers is one of the oldest cities in Florida and is known for being an ideal retirement destination. Fort Myers is home to the Florida Gulf Coast University and hosts various cultural and sporting events yearly.
It is popularly known as the Gateway of Southwest Florida and gives easy access to Texas and other major cities nearby. This is also one of the highest tourist attractions among major sites in Florida.
If you are looking to move to Fort Myers, one of the best places to live in Florida, you should know that the city has a low cost of living and receives moderate rainfall each year. You can expect roughly 68 inches of rainfall in Fort Myers each year. Fort Myers also has a low crime rate, making it one of Florida’s best places to live.
Also, Henry Ford and Thomas Edison used to live in their vacation houses in Fort Myers; these estates with lush green spaces are highly maintained and open for visiting.
2.8.1 Median Home Price:
If you are particular about gated communities, check out the Verandah community along the Orange River, providing multiple amenities and services.
2.8.2 Major Attractions
Fort Myers Beach is a popular beach, and a few outdoor activities like a Night kayaking tour, kayaking through mangroves, and a Dolphin Cruise are worth a try on weekends. Also, the city is filled with popular restaurants and shopping centers.
2.9 Naples
Naples is another major city with a high population and is highly regarded as the best place to live in Florida.
Widely popular for premium shopping malls and beautiful beaches, it is called the home of millionaires. Naples is one of the most sought-after places in Florida, with a little expensive housing and cost of living.
Naples is a considerably safer Florida city with a relatively low crime rate. Popular tourist attractions include several beautiful beaches and golf courses.
2.9.1 Median Home Price
The average cost of a home price is around USD 399,000.
2.10 Cape Coral:
Cape Coral is a coastal city located on the southern tip of Florida. This is the perfect place to live for people who love the ocean and want to be close to Florida’s many beautiful beaches.
If you want to move to Cape Coral, you should know that the city has a low cost of living and a fairly low crime rate.
On average, Cape Coral experiences roughly 64 inches of rainfall each year. Lido Beach is a major relaxation and attraction spot just a little North of Cape Coral.
2.10.1 Median Home Price:
Housing prices are 15% lower than the National average and are currently sold at an average of USD 290,000/-
Closing Thoughts
Listed are the best places to live in Florida; if you still have double thoughts on moving to the Sunshine State, how about you visit the desired city you’d love to move to and see how things work out?
To help you give an overview, we highly recommend you check this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the safest and cheapest place to live in Florida?
Cape Coral, Fort Myers
2. What is the cheapest and most excellent place to live in Florida?
Coral Gables and Orlando are part of the largest urban park system and are surrounded by natural beauty.
3. Where is the most peaceful place to live in Florida?
Cape Coral, Naples
4. What is the best city to live in in Florida?
When it comes to finding a truly great place to live in Florida, one must consider more than the location; while choosing to go with popular sites like northern Florida, Palm Beach County, or other big city locations like the Space Coast region. one must also consider other related factors like state income tax.
With all that in mind, Naples is often considered the best.
5. Does Florida have Lakefront bungalows for sale?
Yes, Florida does have lakefront bungalows with lush green spaces surrounding the house, especially in Key Largo and Key West areas.
6. Affordable Places to Live in Florida From the List
Coral Gables, Orlando, Fort Myers, and Jacksonville.
Last Updated on by Pragya Chakrapani
