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Best Places to Live in Florida in 2023

Florida has seen a lot of growth over the last three years. People seem to be flocking to the Sunshine State in droves from across the country for its warm weather, stunning coastlines, booming career opportunities, and zero state income taxes. (No taxes equal more prosperity—who knew?)

If you’re reading this, you might be one of those people considering the move. Are those endless warm-weather days calling your name? Does the idea of no state income taxes put a giant smile on your face? Can you live among gators and torrential rain?

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!

Choose Your Region

Florida Map by Regions
Florida can be divided into three broad regions: north, central and south Florida. Each one has a distinct identity brought about through decades of history, cultural crossover, environmental factors and changing industry centers. Though many native Floridians may argue the state is actually made up of many more regions, we’re going with these three for the sake of simplicity.

These regions may be different culturally, but they all share one thing: a subtropical climate. No matter which region you choose, you’ll probably encounter alligators and bugs, deal with high humidity (all the frizziness!), get rained on every summer afternoon, look out for sinkholes, and ride out a hurricane every so often.

But depending on where you land, the severity of these hazards could go up and down (just like your property insurance premiums). For example, the inland cities don’t get direct hits from hurricanes, but they still encounter lots of aftermath (which can be pretty harsh).

One more thing: Let’s admit all “best places” lists are subjective—including this one. While we did use some data (population, home and rent prices, etc.), it remains purely opinion and will ultimately depend on your personal likes and dislikes. For example, some people love busy city life while others prefer a more laid-back place in the suburbs. To add a little authenticity to our list, we consulted a few friendly former and current Floridians who graciously gave us insight based on their own personal experience.

With that said, let’s get into some of the best cities in Florida so you can compare their stats and features to see if any stand out to you. The cities on our list are presented by region and in no particular order.

The Best Places to Live in North Florida

The north Florida region covers what’s known as the Panhandle. This is the only part of the state that’s directly connected to the rest of the continental U.S. and resembles (you guessed it) the handle of a pan.

Because of its proximity to the rest of the American South, north Florida is the most “Southern” region of the state culturally. It’s also the oldest in terms of human settlement and has lots of history in its cities and towns.

Pensacola

If you head to the westernmost point on the Panhandle, you’ll find Pensacola. Known as the City of Five Flags, Pensacola has a long history of various governments laying claim to the area (Spanish, French, British, Confederate, and American)—and it’s no wonder why. In Pensacola, you’ll find sunny skies and emerald-green waves from the Gulf of Mexico gently splashing along the shoreline. Pensacola offers plenty of water activities like boating and deep-sea fishing.

Pensacola is also a military town—home to Naval Air Station Pensacola, the primary base of the world-famous Blue Angels. NAS Pensacola also hosts the National Naval Aviation Museum, where visitors can hop aboard sophisticated flight simulators to see if they also have “the right stuff.”

Metro Area Population

516,3881

Median Household Income

$59,1192

Median Home Price

$389,9003

Median Monthly Rent*

$1,3544

Average Annual Rainfall

58”5

*Median Monthly Rents refer to two-bedroom apartments.

Pros

  • Beautiful beaches
  • Great job market
  • Affordable cost of living
  • Good schools
  • Military town

Cons

  • Crime
  • Gulf coast weather considerations

Tallahassee

Even though it’s the state capital, you might say Tallahassee feels like the least Floridian city in all of Florida. For one thing, it enjoys four actual seasons because of its unique position in the Panhandle. If you’re used to seeing fall colors, look no further than Tally (as it’s called by some locals).

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With its gently rolling hills of red clay soil and surrounding natural springs and underwater caves, Tallahassee feels more like a little slice of Southern heaven. Aside from all the natural beauty, Tally also offers a college-town vibe thanks to Florida State University and Florida A&M University. So even though it has an old Southern look and history, Tally definitely has a youthful spirit.

Metro Area Population

387,1276

Median Household Income

$49,0777

Median Home Price

$325,2508

Median Monthly Rent

$1,2519

Average Annual Rainfall

47”10

Pros

  • Four distinct seasons with mild winters
  • College town
  • Good schools
  • Less tourist-oriented

Cons

  • Crime
  • Traffic

Gainesville

Speaking of college towns, Gainesville is a city practically built around the University of Florida. In fact, the university is the biggest employer in the city—almost 12% of the city’s total workforce!11 And because of the university, Gainesville is known as the birthplace of Gatorade.

But there’s more to Gainesville than Gator football and sports drinks. Even though Gainesville isn’t near any beaches, you’ll find plenty of outdoor opportunities in the city’s parks, botanical gardens and nature preserves—which includes the famous Satan’s Sinkhole. Gainesville’s arts community boasts everything from theater and public murals to museums like the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention.

Metro Area Population

344,88112

Median Household Income

$40,93713

Median Home Price

$371,62514

Median Monthly Rent

$1,18815

Average Annual Rainfall

42”16

Pros

  • College town
  • Vibrant arts community
  • Parks and nature preserves
  • Low cost of living

Cons

  • Crime
  • High property taxes

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 by population in Florida and the largest city in the U.S. by land area (outside of Alaska).17 If life in the big city is more your speed, Jacksonville might be for you.

Jacksonville is located along the banks of the St. Johns River and 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 at TIAA Bank Field, among other sports teams.

Metro Area Population

1,637,66618

Median Household Income

$58,26319

Median Home Price

$399,70020

Median Monthly Rent

$1,41221

Average Annual Rainfall

41"22

Pros

  • Big-city energy
  • Younger population
  • Lower cost of living
  • Great job market

Cons

  • Low-rated schools
  • Traffic
  • Crime

Ocala

A popular spot for retirees, Ocala offers a small-town feel with a tight-knit community. The city is surrounded by natural beauty—rolling hills and green pastures with no civilization for miles. It’s even home to one of the largest natural springs in America at Silver Springs State Park. You can board one of the park’s famous glass-bottom boats to observe the spring’s unique underwater ecosystem.

Ocala is also known for its connection to horses. In fact, Ocala rivals Lexington, Kentucky, for the title of Horse Capital of the World with its many horse farms. The World Equestrian Center, the largest horse complex on Earth, also calls Ocala home.

Metro Area Population

385,91523

Median Household Income

$46,84124

Median Home Price

$306,45025

Median Monthly Rent

$99326

Average Annual Rainfall

42”27

Pros

  • Low cost of living
  • Small-town feel
  • Direct access to major Florida highways
  • Horse Capital of the World

Cons

  • Geared more toward older residents
  • Lack of big-city activities
  • Limited job market

The Best Places to Live in South Florida

Because of its proximity to the Caribbean, the vibe of south Florida is decidedly more tropical and laid back. Everything from the food to the music scene is infused with Latin flavor, courtesy of people who have immigrated to the region for many decades from places like Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica and Colombia.

Sarasota

Along the southern Gulf Coast of Florida is Sarasota—home to some of America’s best beaches, like Siesta Key Beach. Sarasota consistently holds the top spots for places to live in Florida on many “best places” lists. 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).

Sarasota is an ideal place to hang your hat if you’re looking for a good life after your well-earned retirement. The median resident age of the Sarasota metro area is 54, so the population is made up of lots of retirees.28 That means more friends to reminisce about the good old days, complain about those darn kids, and play some serious shuffleboard with.

Metro Area Population

859,76029

Median Household Income

$62,61530

Median Home Price

$547,45031

Median Monthly Rent

$1,87532

Average Annual Rainfall

40”33

Pros

  • Beautiful beaches
  • Good schools
  • Small-town feel

Cons

  • High cost of living
  • Traffic
  • Red tide34
  • Social scene skews older

Naples

Just south of Sarasota on Florida’s Paradise Coast is Naples—which got its name from the famous Mediterranean community on the Italian coast. And there are definite similarities between the two: paradise weather, gentle waters and lots of fishing. Naples is especially known for its sugar sand beaches and beautiful coastal sunsets (with the legendary green flash in the summer!).35 But there’s more to Naples than beaches (though they are pretty cool). There’s fine dining, boutique shopping, botanical gardens, dolphin viewing and swamp buggies too.36

While Ocala may be the horse capital, Naples calls itself the Golf Capital of the World. If a day on the links does your heart good, there are over 90 golf courses throughout the city and many more in the vicinity. Bonus: If your ball lands near a gator, you get a free drop with no penalty!

Metro Area Population*

385,98037

Median Household Income

$125,30638

Median Home Price

$892,00039

Median Monthly Rent

$2,11940

Average Annual Rainfall

39”41

Pros

  • Beautiful beaches
  • Great job market
  • Golf Capital of the World

Cons

  • High housing costs
  • Lots of bugs and gators
  • Red tide
  • Very touristy

Port St. Lucie

Over on the Atlantic coast of southern Florida, well north of Miami, is Port St. Lucie. This city offers year-round perfect weather (compared to other areas of the state), along with all the water activities of a beach town—things like boating, fishing, and even paddling near manatees. Golf carts are a way of life there, and many of the businesses in Port St. Lucie provide golf cart parking.

Speaking of golf, sports can be enjoyed year-round in Port St. Lucie. It may not be the golf capital, but you can work on your swing at one of the 72 holes at the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Village Resort—it’s like a theme park for golfers! And the New York Mets visit the city every year for spring training.

Metro Area Population

503,52142

Median Household Income

$68,64743

Median Home Price

$459,90044

Median Monthly Rent

$1,59045

Average Annual Rainfall

40”46

Pros

  • Great for families
  • Low homeowners insurance rates
  • Laid-back lifestyle

Cons

  • Lack of high-paying jobs
  • High cost of living

Fort Myers

If you follow Florida’s southwestern Caloosahatchee River, you’ll spot Fort Myers. This is the is the sunniest place in Florida, averaging about 265 sunny days a year. 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 its official nickname: the City of Palms. Hurricane Ian did a number on the city back in 2022, and it’s still bouncing back.

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 (famous for the Sanibel Stoop tourists do when they pick up the shells). Fort Myers’ shoreline sits on a shallow water plateau, which makes collecting seashells really fun.

Metro Area Population

787,97647

Median Household Income

$51,68248

Median Home Price

$499,00049

Median Monthly Rent

$1,73750

Average Annual Rainfall

45”51

Pros

  • Low cost of living
  • Small-town feel
  • Great schools (both elementary and college)
  • Growing job market

Cons

  • Touristy
  • Population density
  • Crime
  • Traffic

Miami

Miami is the third most populated metro area on the East Coast. Seated on the southern tip of Florida, this tropical city has a lively beach scene and nightlife that attracts people from all over the world. In fact, celebrities from sports, music and movies can be regularly spotted at Miami’s beaches and resorts. Since a majority of its population is Hispanic (around 70%), Miami has a sizable Latin influence in its local culture, food, and customs.52 And don’t forget to check out the dancing scene in Little Havana for live Latin music.

Miami also offers year-round perfect weather, so you can enjoy outdoor shopping and watching pro teams from every major sport—like the Dolphins (football) and the Marlins (baseball). The popular Miami Open tennis tournament is also held there.

Metro Area Population

6,091,74753

Median Household Income

$47,86054

Median Home Price

$599,41055

Median Monthly Rent

$2,08756

Average Annual Rainfall

44”57

Pros

  • Vibrant culture and nightlife
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Great job market

Cons

  • High cost of living
  • Traffic
  • Spring break central
  • Crime
  • Very touristy

The Best Places to Live in Central Florida

Central Florida is where everything comes together, culturally speaking. It’s really the best of both worlds—the Southern charm of the north and the energy of south Florida. Central Florida is also the center of the state’s tourism industry and home to its most popular vacation destinations.

Melbourne

With a front-row view of the Atlantic Ocean, Melbourne is part of Florida’s Space Coast thanks to its proximity to Kennedy Space Center (KSC). This is where every crewed space flight by NASA has been launched. It’s also where Elon Musk’s SpaceX has been launching astronauts (and his Tesla) into space. Melbourne is also close to Port Canaveral, one of the busiest cruise and shipping hubs in the world.

Beyond the cool space and seacraft stuff, Melbourne’s beach-based community offers all kinds of fun activities for residents—a trendy downtown area, thriving art and festival scenes, and a variety of sports for both in and out of the water.

Metro Area Population

616,62858

Median Household Income

$55,54359

Median Home Price

$376,72560

Median Monthly Rent

$1,41361

Average Annual Rainfall

42”62

Pros

  • Great schools
  • Good job market
  • Low cost of living

Cons

  • Not-so-lively nightlife
  • Higher property insurance premiums

Orlando

When people think of Florida, chances are they think first of Orlando (well, maybe second after the alligators). After all, it’s one of the top family vacation destinations in not just the United States, but the world! It’s the home of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort—Mickey Mouse and Hogwarts. Not to mention SeaWorld Orlando and Legoland Florida Resort. It’s basically theme park heaven.

But there are also plenty of activities to enjoy in the Orlando area besides just the theme parks. Because of its multicultural base, the city boasts lots of cultural festivals and a variety of restaurants that’ll be sure to satisfy any hankering you have. There are also pro sports teams to watch and follow, like the Orlando Magic (basketball) and Orlando City SC (soccer). And because of its central location in the state, you can get to so many places other places in Florida in a matter of hours—including the beach.

Metro Area Population

2,691,92563

Median Household Income

$58,96864

Median Home Price

$440,99565

Median Monthly Rent

$1,58266

Average Annual Rainfall

43”67

Pros

  • Good job market
  • Great cultural makeup
  • Well maintained roads
  • Plenty of things to do
  • Lower cost of living

Cons

  • Very touristy
  • Traffic
  • Toll roads
  • Not-so-great schools
  • Crime

Tampa

With Tampa, you get the touristy energy of an Orlando-type big city combined with a laid-back beach lifestyle along the shores of Tampa Bay. It makes for a great combo. Tampa does have its own theme park: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay—the second largest in Florida—which has roller coasters and exotic animal exhibits. And if big-city life isn’t your thing, Tampa’s suburbs are a little quieter.

The city is full of intertwining cultures, including a thriving Hispanic community. In fact, Tampa has claimed to be the birthplace of the Cubano sandwich, one of the signature dishes of south Florida—though Miami would say otherwise. Every year, the city celebrates its legendary pirate history (pirates in the Caribbean—it’s a real thing) with the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. And the metro area is also home to three major sports teams: the Buccaneers (NFL), the Lightning (NHL), and the Rays (MLB).

Metro Area Population

3,219,51468

Median Household Income

$59,89369

Median Home Price

$411,00070

Median Monthly Rent

$1,64171

Average Annual Rainfall

44”72

Pros

  • Good job market
  • Great culture combo
  • Low cost of living
  • Family friendly
  • Great beaches

Cons

  • Very touristy
  • Traffic
  • Lots of snowbirds every winter73
  • Homeowners associations everywhere
  • High property insurance costs

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is probably known best as the home base of NASCAR—specifically for the famous Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. That’s pretty awesome all by itself.

But there’s more to Daytona than super fast stock cars. Daytona’s unique beach culture includes a beautiful boardwalk with restaurants, shops, a pier and an amusement park. You can also fish, golf, and visit museums and performing arts centers. Plus, trips to the beach are especially convenient because you’re still allowed to drive on the actual beach in certain areas!

Metro Area Population

685,34474

Median Household Income

$42,39275

Median Home Price

$399,00076

Median Monthly Rent

$1,43577

Average Annual Rainfall

41”78

Pros

  • Low cost of living
  • Friendly beach community
  • Good job market

Cons

  • Very touristy
  • High insurance costs
  • Crime

Lakeland

Our final city is a land of lakes (no, not the butter). Lakeland is home to nearly 40 beautiful lakes, so you’ll have plenty of options to enjoy Florida’s warm weather on the water. It’s also close to popular cities like Tampa and Orlando.

Lakeland is famous for having the largest collection of buildings designed by the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright—all located at Florida Southern College. This city is also home to nature parks and one of Florida’s top-ranked art museums, the Polk Museum of Art.

Metro Area Population

753,52079

Median Household Income

$52,97280

Median Home Price

$349,95081

Median Monthly Rent

$1,36082

Average Annual Rainfall

42”83

Pros

  • Good job market
  • Low cost of living
  • Nice downtown area
  • Good retirement community

Cons

  • Crime
  • Traffic
  • Job market

Best Places to Live in Florida for Families

If you’re moving the whole family to Florida, you probably want to find an area near the safest cities and the best school districts. To get you started on your search, here are a few places that our Florida friends recommended as great places to raise a family:

  • Harbour Island (Tampa)
  • Winter Springs (Orlando)
  • Oviedo (Orlando)
  • Nocatee (Jacksonville)
  • Virginia Park (Tampa)

What Part of Florida Is Good for Young Adults?

Now, if you’re a young professional moving to the Sunshine State, you’ll probably want to know more about Florida’s economy and where you can find the best job opportunities—not to mention where the other young adults are too.

Here are a handful of suburbs that are great for young adults:

  • North Bay Village (Miami)
  • Jacksonville Beach (Jacksonville)
  • Doctor Phillips (Orlando)

Best Places to Live in Florida for Retirees

For you folks who have been crushing it with your finances and can now enjoy your dream retirement, Florida is a great choice. It’s no secret that Florida ranks high on many “best cities to retire” lists year after year. After all, does any other state scream paradise as loud as sunny Florida?

Here are a few favorite Florida cities among retirees:

What’s the Most Affordable Place to Live in Florida?

If you’re anything like us at Ramsey, you know one of the most important things to do before moving to a new area is to make sure you can actually afford living there.

One way to know you can afford it is to research the cost of living in Florida. The biggest factor that’ll determine whether you can afford living there is the cost of housing.

Here are Florida areas that rank high for affordable housing:

  • Cape Coral

Keep in mind, these locations may be above or below your own housing budget. To figure out your housing budget, use the 25% rule—never buy or rent a home that comes with a monthly payment that’s more than 25% of your monthly take-home pay.

If you’re getting a mortgage, that 25% limit includes principal, interest, property taxes, home insurance and private mortgage insurance (PMI)—and don’t forget to consider homeowners association (HOA) fees (which are part of many Florida neighborhoods). Use our mortgage calculator to enter your down payment amount and try out different home prices within your budget.

If you want a mortgage you can pay off fast, talk to the home loan specialists we trust at Churchill Mortgage about getting a 15-year fixed-rate conventional loan. Any other type of mortgage will drown you in interest and extra fees and keep you in debt for decades.And don’t forget about the cost of the move itself. If you want to work with a company that’s been trusted with six million moves, check out PODS. They’re RamseyTrusted, which means we know they'll get the job done right. And all you have to do is fill one of their containers with all your belongings and they’ll deliver it anywhere in Florida.

Ready to Move to Florida?

If you’re ready to move to Florida, the next step on your relocation journey is to find a real estate agent. For a fast and easy way to find local Florida agents, look no further than our network of RamseyTrusted agents.

We only recommend agents who know their territory, will take care of you the Ramsey way, and are on a mission to help you crush your relocation goals.

Find a Florida real estate agent we trust!

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About the author

Ramsey Solutions

Ramsey Solutions has been committed to helping people regain control of their money, build wealth, grow their leadership skills, and enhance their lives through personal development since 1992. Millions of people have used our financial advice through 22 books (including 12 national bestsellers) published by Ramsey Press, as well as two syndicated radio shows and 10 podcasts, which have over 17 million weekly listeners. Learn More.

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