In this article, we will discuss the 20 most expensive cities to live in Florida. If you want to skip our discussion on Florida's economy, you can go directly to the 5 Most Expensive Cities to Live in Florida.
The cost of living is considerably different across the United States, with some states reporting significantly higher costs than others. On average, the Northeast and West Coast have higher costs of living than the South and Midwest. Florida stands out as one of the more affordable states in the US, with a cost-of-living index just 2.3% above the national average. In the state-wise cost-of-living ranking by the World Population Review, Florida holds the 21st position. These rankings are derived from standard household spending across various categories, including rent/housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services. Florida scores below the national averages in five out of six subcategories. However, it registers 10.5% above the national average, specifically in housing expenses, as indicated by the US Cost of Living Index (COLI), which compares these six subcategories. According to Zillow, while Florida has not traditionally been considered one of America's more expensive states, it now boasts some of the most expensive homes in the US, surpassing New York to claim the second position. California holds the first position in terms of real-estate market valuation. Read more about the Top 20 Most Expensive Cities To Live In California here.
Florida is famous globally for its beaches, resorts, amusement parks, and warm climate. It is also famous for attractions like the Kennedy Space Center, Walt Disney World, and Miami Beach, which draw tens of millions of visitors every year. Similarly, the Sunshine State is popular as a retirement destination as well as an employment center due to the large businesses that call the state their home. Some of the famous companies operating in the state include Carrier Global Corp (NYSE:CARR), Jabil Inc (NYSE:JBL), and NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE).
“During the quarter, we started a new position in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE), the owner of Florida Power & Light (FPL), a regulated utility, and NextEra Energy Resources, the largest unregulated alternative power producer (wind, solar, battery) in the United States. FPL has benefitted from Florida’s population and business growth. In addition, Florida’s regulators have been business friendly and allowed the utility to raise rates, earn a good profit, and build out its infrastructure. As a result, NextEra has historically shown earnings and dividend growth above the Utility group average. On September 30, the current dividend yield was 3.3%.
Florida's Economic Outlook
Following the pandemic, Florida experienced an increase in personal income, witnessing a growth of 6.6% in 2020 and 8% in 2021. This growth rate surpassed the national average and was largely supported by federal relief funds released during the pandemic. However, as post-pandemic relief measures stopped, the growth rate declined to 4.9%. In the future, Florida's income is projected to sustain a high growth of 7.8% due to ongoing salary increases. Florida was among the states most impacted by reduced wage growth rates, primarily due to the lockdown's effects on low-wage service staff employed in the service and tourism industries. Florida maintained an unemployment rate below 4% from January 2018 to February 2020. However, with the start of the pandemic, the unemployment rate rose to 14.1% in May 2020. This was significantly higher than the previous peak of 10.9% recorded in the initial four months of 2010 during the Great Recession.
The Florida Legislature Office of Economic and Demographic Research indicates a positive trajectory for the state, projecting population growth rates of 1.27% until 2030. This is nearly double the US average of 0.64%. This, combined with Florida's demonstrated economic resilience, paints a promising picture for the state's future. Fitch Ratings has emphasized that Florida's sound financial management has played a crucial role in supporting strong state revenues. Florida is also rapidly becoming a destination of choice for people earning well because it is one of the states that do not levy a state income tax. It is among the top 5 Tax-Friendly States for High Income in the US. Taxes in these states take up about 6% of the average household income, while the US average tax burden in the worst-taxed states can be as high as 17% for the average household. The state has an average combined state and local sales tax rate of 7.02%.
20 Most Expensive Cities to Live in Florida
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Our Methodology
To identify the 20 most expensive cities in Florida, we analyzed the overall cost of living and average house rent costs. This comprehensive approach allows us to understand which cities have higher living costs primarily due to elevated rental expenses. It's important to note that while the cost of living may be high in some places, the rental expenses could be lower, indicating higher costs in other aspects such as transportation. To gather information on cost-of-living indexes and housing rates, we utilized information from sources like BestPlaces, PayScale, Zillow, and LivingCost.com. With this context in mind, let's begin our cost of living comparison across cities in Florida.
Most Expensive Cities to Live in Florida
20. Jacksonville
Cost of Living Index: 94.2
Average House Rent: $1,631
Population: 971,319
Unlike some bustling tourist spots, Jacksonville has a more serene feel. Jacksonville's economy is diverse, with various financial institutions, a busy port, and big players like BellSouth and CSX Transportation operating in the city.
19. Port St. Lucie
Cost of Living Index: 98.6
Average House Rent: $2,502
Population: 231,790
Among one of the larger populated cities in this list, Port St. Lucie is a well-to-do city with an above-state average median income of $68,000. The city is more cosmopolitan and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida due to its mix of small-town and modern city vibes.
18. Palm Coast
Cost of Living Index: 98.7
Average House Rent: $2,029
Population: 98,411
Palm Coast is the 413th largest city in the US and is known for its golf courses, beautiful beaches, and natural beauty.
17. St. Petersburg
Cost of Living Index: 102.8
Average House Rent: $2,001
Population: 261,256
Residents of St. Petersburg enjoy its beaches as well as scenic parks. There are multiple seafood restaurants and musical entertainment options in the city. The average house rent in the city stands at $2,001, making it secure the seventeenth position on our list of the most expensive cities to live in Florida.
16. Clearwater
Cost of Living Index: 103
Average House Rent: $2,290
Population: 117,027
Clearwater is located on the Gulf Coast and boasts many scenic beaches. The city offers plenty of water-based activities as well as wildlife preserves.
15. Tampa
Cost of Living Index: 104.2
Average House Rent: $2,150
Population: 398,173
Tampa is often cited as one of the most expensive cities in Florida due to the higher costs of entertainment, food, and clothing, as well as rentals and housing costs.
14. Cape Coral
Cost of Living Index: 104.2
Average House Rent: $2,395
Population: 216,992
Cape Coral is the 139th largest city in the US. It is a popular vacation destination and offers multiple outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and kayaking. It also runs several baseball training camps.
13. Fort Myers
Cost of Living Index: 105
Average House Rent: $2,475
Population: 95,949
Fort Myers is a comparatively quieter city with appeal for tourists looking to vacation in a slower-paced environment. It also offers the benefit of easy access to the beach.
12. Sarasota
Cost of Living Index: 105.3
Average House Rent: $2,950
Population: 57,376
Sarasota is a popular tourist city, usually preferred by many visitors due to its short distance to Tampa and St. Petersburg. This city provides opportunities for numerous outdoor activities, including scenic hiking options.
11. Winter Garden
Cost of Living Index: 106
Average House Rent: $2,900
Population: 47,049
This small suburban city off Orlando is known for its historic buildings, prime dining options, and focus on ecotourism.
10. Deerfield Beach
Cost of Living Index: 110.5
Average House Rent: $2,600
Population: 86,772
Deerfield Beach has a cost-of-living index of 110.5, making it secure the tenth place on our list of the most expensive cities to live in Florida. The city is known for its clean beaches and sunsets.
9. St. Augustine
Cost of Living Index: 110.9
Average House Rent: $1,812
Population: 15,180
Located in St. Johns County, St. Augustine is popular for its “old city” style. The average house rent in the city stands at around $1812.
8. Hollywood
Cost of Living Index: 112.9
Average House Rent: $2,850
Population: 152,650
Hollywood features over 60 parks and seven golf courses. The city is known for its boutique shops and dining options all along the beachfront.
7. Naples
Cost of Living Index: 113
Average House Rent: $6,500
Population: 19,618
Naples is located along the Gulf Coast in Collier County. It attracts visitors around the year to its range of luxury resorts located along the white sandy beaches. It also offers plenty of sea-based activities as well as eco-tours in the Everglades National Park.
6. Boynton Beach
Cost of Living Index: 114.1
Average House Rent: $2,999
Population: 80,587
Boynton Beach is a city in Palm Beach County, about 57 miles from Miami. This is an old city with waterfront dining, numerous shopping options, and lively entertainment all through the week. Beyond the recreational offerings of cities like Boynton Beach, Florida is also home to some famous companies such as Carrier Global Corp (NYSE:CARR), Jabil Inc (NYSE:JBL), and NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE).
