Best Places in Florida to Buy a House

ten Min Read | January 10, 2022

Are the endless warm-conditions days, paradise beaches and zero state income taxes of Florida calling your proper 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 yous narrow down the best places to live in Florida.

Let's dive in!

14 Best Places to Alive in Florida

First, let'south acknowledge all "best places" lists are subjective. However, they can inspire you with ideas on where to live. With that said, let'south dig into some of the nearly popular places in Florida so you tin compare their stats and features to come across if any stand up out to you.ⁱ

1. Naples

Nestled in the southwest corner of Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico, Naples holds the elevation spot for places to alive in Florida. Naples is known for its paradise atmospheric condition, gentle waters and "sugar" sand beaches. There's enough to do in that location similar fine dining, boutique shopping—and dolphin viewing!

Metro Area Population*	371,453
Average Salary	$47,980
Median Habitation Price	$345,000
Median Monthly Hire	$one,317²
Average Annual Rainfall	39"³

^{*For each urban center, the Metro Area Population numbers include the
city together with the surrounding urban and suburban areas.}

2. Sarasota

As well lapping upwards the Gulf Coast shores, simply below Tampa, is Sarasota—abode to some of America'southward best beaches, like Siesta Key Embankment. The h2o is clear and warm and the sand is so soft and white yous'll feel like yous're sinking your toes into powdered sugar (just don't sprinkle any on your French toast).

Metro Area Population	803,709
Boilerplate Salary	$46,040
Median Abode Price	$387,630
Median Monthly Rent	$i,209
Average Annual Rainfall	53"⁴

3. Melbourne

Okay, now permit'due south hang out on the due east side of Florida. With a forepart-row view of the Atlantic Ocean, Melbourne is part of Florida'due south Space Coast thanks to its shut proximity to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Heart. This is where every crewed spaceflight by NASA has been launched. Information technology's besides where Elon Musk'south SpaceX has been flying astronauts and cargo into space.

Metro Area Population	585,507
Average Salary	$51,180
Median Domicile Price	$217,400
Median Monthly Rent	$one,068
Average Annual Rainfall	52"^v

iv. Jacksonville

Now let's travel upwardly to the northeastern corner of Florida, just south of the Georgia country line. That'south where you'll observe Jacksonville—the largest city in the U.South. by land area (outside of Alaska). Several bridges make it convenient to travel betwixt the vibrant downtown area and Jacksonville'south gorgeous beaches. Plus, Jacksonville gives you a forepart-row seat to cheer on the Jaguars NFL team among other sports teams.

Metro Surface area Population	1,503,574
Average Bacon	$48,270
Median Domicile Price	$303,789
Median Monthly Hire	$1,093
Average Annual Rainfall	49"⁶

5. Pensacola

If you lot caput to the westernmost point on Florida'southward panhandle, yous'll find Pensacola. Known as the "City of Five Flags," Pensacola has a long history of other governments laying claim to the expanse (Spanish, French, British, Amalgamated, U.S.). This is another beautiful city with that sugar-white sand. At that place you'll find emerald-green waves from the Gulf gently splashing along the shoreline. The area also offers enough of boat ramps to launch you into a deep-sea angling adventure.

Metro Area Population	488,246
Average Bacon	$43,920
Median Domicile Price	$200,800
Median Monthly Rent	$1,015⁷
Boilerplate Almanac Rainfall	58"^eight

6. Tampa

With Tampa, you get the best of both worlds—i earth, of course, referring to Disney World, which is merely a curt trip away. And the other world significant the laid-back embankment lifestyle of the Tampa Bay area—which connects to the Gulf of Mexico. Tampa besides has its own popular African-themed animal entertainment park, Busch Gardens. Tampa'due south schools are good and the urban center is full of diverse culture—including a thriving Hispanic community. The metro area is too home to a number of professional person sports teams.

Metro Area Population	3,097,859
Average Salary	$49,590
Median Habitation Cost	$301,963
Median Monthly Rent	$1,115
Average Almanac Rainfall	46"^ix

vii. Fort Myers

If you follow Florida'due south 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 wintertime homes there. The famous sight of Edison's regal palm copse along McGregor Boulevard earned Fort Myers the nickname "Urban center of Palms." As you travel by the gateway of Fort Myers and caput closer toward the Gulf, y'all'll come across a series of islands—including the shelling beach of Sanibel.

Metro Area Population	737,468
Average Salary	$45,300
Median Home Toll	$277,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,154
Boilerplate Annual Rainfall	53"¹⁰

8. Port St. Lucie

On the Atlantic declension 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-circular perfect weather. Along with all the water activities similar canoeing, line-fishing and paddling almost manatees, you can work on your swing at the PGA Golf game Club. And, hey, why leave the golfing lifestyle at the light-green? Go on your golf cart rolling to one of the many grocery stores in Port St. Lucie that provide golf game cart parking.

Metro Area Population	472,012
Average Bacon	$45,630
Median Habitation Price	$233,133
Median Monthly Rent	$1,162^xi
Average Almanac Rainfall	forty"¹²

9. Ocala

Ocala is ane of the Sunshine Land's inland cities. It offers a small-boondocks experience and is surrounded by rolling hills and light-green pastures. It rivals Lexington for the championship of "Horse Uppercase of the Earth" with its deep roots in horseback riding and annual Kentucky Derby racehorse preparation.

Metro Surface area Population	353,526
Average Bacon	$39,640
Median Habitation Cost	$168,850
Median Monthly Rent	$896^xiii
Boilerplate Annual Rainfall	42"¹⁴

10. Orlando

Dwelling house of Mickey Mouse and Hogwarts, Orlando is one of the top family vacation destinations of the world. But what is it like to live in Orlando every bit a resident? First, don't motion here unless you're okay living with a constant flux of tourists. Orlando is a great key location for anywhere you'd like to visit in Florida. But there are as well plenty of activities to enjoy in the area itself (besides just the theme parks)—including plenty of sports teams to follow.

Metro Area Population	ii,508,970
Boilerplate Salary	$46,140
Median Dwelling house Toll	$338,974
Median Monthly Hire	$1,210
Boilerplate Almanac Rainfall	51"^fifteen

eleven. Daytona Beach

Although probably known all-time for the Daytona International Speedway, which hosts NASCAR's famous Daytona 500, Daytona offers plenty of other things to practise. For case, there's fishing, golfing, and visiting museums and performing arts centers. Plus, trips to the beach are especially convenient because you lot're nevertheless allowed to drive on the bodily beach in certain areas.

Metro Area Population	646,288
Average Bacon	$twoscore,930
Median Habitation Price	$278,897
Median Monthly Rent	$one,076
Boilerplate Almanac Rainfall	50"^xvi

12. Tallahassee

Even though it's the country capital, y'all might say Tallahassee feels similar the to the lowest degree Floridian metropolis in all of Florida. For ane affair, it enjoys four different seasons equally a event of its unique position on the panhandle. Tally (as some locals phone call information technology) feels more like a footling slice of southern heaven. It has gently rolling hills of red clay soil and is surrounded by natural springs and underwater caves. You'll have enough of fun activities to practice since Tally offers a college-town vibe thanks to its surrounding universities.

Metro Area Population	382,197
Average Salary	$46,500
Median Home Price	$190,500
Median Monthly Hire	$991¹⁷
Average Almanac Rainfall	47"¹⁸

13. Lakeland

Our next metropolis is a land of lakes! (No, not the butter.) Lakeland is home to almost xl beautiful lakes, so you'll have plenty of options to enjoy Florida's weather on the h2o. It'southward likewise close to popular cities like Tampa and Orlando. That's correct! Disney Earth and Universal Studios are less than an hour's drive away! In that location'due south likewise plenty to practice right inside Lakeland with its nature park and 1 of Florida's summit-ranked art museums—the Polk Museum of Fine art.

Metro Area Population	686,218
Boilerplate Bacon	$43,150
Median Home Price	$237,710
Median Monthly Rent	$978
Average Annual Rainfall	52"^nineteen

fourteen. Miami

Miami is the third most populated metro surface area on the Due east Coast. While it may be on the pricier side than most Florida cities, information technology too has beautiful suburbs like Doral, Coral Gables and Primal Biscayne. Seated on the southern tip of Florida, this tropical metropolis offers year-round perfect atmospheric condition then you can enjoy outdoor shopping sites and pro teams from every major sport. And don't forget to check out the dancing scene at Footling Havana for alive Latin music.

Metro Area Population	6,090,660
Average Salary	$fifty,060
Median Habitation Toll	$247,112
Median Monthly Rent	$ane,363
Average Annual Rainfall	62"^twenty

Best Places to Live in Florida for Families

If yous're moving the whole family unit to Florida, you probably want to find an area almost the safest cities and the best school districts. To get y'all started on your search, hither are a few places that rank highest in Florida for raising a family:

Harbour Island (Tampa)
Palma Ceia West (Tampa)
Nocatee (Jacksonville)
Hyde Park (Tampa)
Virginia Park (Tampa)²¹

What Role of Florida Is Adept for Young Adults?

Now, if you're a young professional moving to the Sunshine State, yous'll probably want to know more well-nigh Florida'southward economic system and where you lot tin can find the all-time job opportunities—not to mention a place that's full of other young adults to socialize with.

Detect expert agents to help you buy your home in Florida.

Here are a handful of suburbs that rank loftier in Florida for young adults:

Miami Beach (Miami)
N Bay Hamlet (Miami)
Maitland (Orlando)
Jacksonville Beach (Jacksonville)
Medico Phillips (Orlando)²²

Best Places to Live in Florida for Retirees

For you folks who have been crushing it with your finances and tin can now savour your dream retirement, Florida is a dandy selection. Information technology'southward no secret that Florida ranks loftier on many all-time cities to retire lists yr after year. After all, does whatever other state scream "paradise" equally loud as Sunny Florida?

Here are a few favorite Florida cities amongst retirees:

Sarasota
Naples
Daytona Beach
Melbourne
Tampa²³

What'south the Most Affordable Place to Alive in Florida?

If yous're anything like usa at Ramsey, yous know ane of the most important things to do earlier moving to a new area is to make certain you can actually afford living there.

One mode to know you can afford it is to inquiry the cost of living in Florida. The biggest factor that'll determine whether you can afford living in that location is the cost of housing.

Hither are Florida areas that rank high for affordable housing:

Chuluota (Orlando)
Mims (Space Declension)
June Park (Melbourne)
Due east Milton (Panhandle)
Virginia Park (Tampa)²⁴

Keep in listen, these locations may be above or below your own housing budget. To figure out your housing upkeep, utilise the 25% dominion—never buy or rent a home that comes with a monthly payment that's more than 25% of your monthly have-habitation pay.

If you're getting a mortgage, that 25% limit includes principal, involvement, holding taxes, home insurance, individual mortgage insurance (PMI) and don't forget to consider homeowners clan (HOA) fees. Use our mortgage computer to enter your down payment amount and try out different habitation prices inside your budget.

If you want a mortgage you tin can pay off fast, talk to the home loan specialists we trust at Churchill Mortgage most getting a 15-year stock-still-rate conventional loan. Whatever other type of mortgage volition drown you lot in interest and extra fees and go along you in debt for decades.

Ready to Move to Florida?

If you're ready to move to Florida, the adjacent step on your relocation journeying is to notice a existent estate agent. For a fast and easy mode to find Florida agents we trust, endeavour our Endorsed Local Providers (ELP) program. We only recommend agents who are on a mission to assist you lot shell your relocation goals.

Discover a Florida real estate agent we trust!

Ramsey Solutions

Well-nigh the author