The Cost of Living in Florida

Ready to pack up your bags and head to Florida? There’s more to love about the Sunshine State than just its warm weather. In fact, many are also attracted to the state’s lack of taxes, low cost of living and affordable real estate. In addition, Florida’s diverse population, booming economy and landmark attractions make it an excellent place for retirees, families and students to call home. So how affordable is it to live in sunny Florida? The cost of living in Florida varies by city. However, the overall cost of living in Florida tends to be slightly less than the national average.

As many Americans already know, Florida residents are not required to pay state income tax. This lack of state income tax allows Sunshine State residents to save thousands of dollars (if not more) every year. By saving money on state income tax, residents are able to save more (as well as spend more) on a regular basis. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Florida is $53,267, slightly below the national average of $53,267.

Regarding real estate, Florida home prices vary greatly depending on where you live in the Sunshine State. Overall, though, Florida real estate tends to be fairly affordable. Business Insider reports that the median home price in Florida is $245,169, making it the 25 th most expensive state to buy a house. For a more in-depth look at the cost of living in Florida, we’ve rounded up cost of living data (from AreaVibes and Realtor.com) for 10 popular cities in the state.

The cost of living in Florida cities

Fort Lauderdale

Jacksonville

Orlando

Miami

Naples

Port St. Lucie

Sarasota

St. Petersburg

Tallahassee

Tampa

Moving soon?

To learn more about these Florida cities (and others), check out Moving.com’s City Profile Report feature. Our reports include city demographics, real estate information, quality of life factors and more. Simply enter the zip code or the state and city of your potential move to get a free report at the click of a button. If you think you want to make one of these cities your new home, you may need to hire professionals to handle your relocation. Fortunately, Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers makes it easy to book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands.