10 Best Places to Live in Florida, According to a Lifelong Floridian

From urban centers to tiny towns, these are 10 of the best places to live in Florida.

What used to be a go-to retirement plan is now something like the American dream for people of all ages and walks of life: Move to Florida. The popular vacation destination is home to more than 22 million year-round residents; there’s sunshine, more than 1,000 miles of coastline, and a desirable tax climate that draws transplants from all over the U.S. Florida has small towns, big cities, stunning natural preserves, luxury hotels, funky traditions, and even a chain of tropical islands that feel like a Caribbean getaway — no passport required.

Moving to Florida offers a chance to spend every day in paradise, but there’s no doubt the Sunshine State is an expensive place to live. According to America’s leading real estate marketplace, Zillow, as of August 2024, the average home value in the U.S. is around $360,000 (up over three percent from 2023), while the average home value in Florida is about $399,000 (up almost two percent from 2023).

Still, depending on your situation, the high quality of life and lack of state individual income tax — not to mention an abundance of both natural beauty and human-made attractions at your doorstep — can more than make up for the higher costs. Plus, the unemployment rate in Florida was 3.3 percent as of July 2024, compared to the U.S. at 4.3 percent, and the minimum wage in the state will go from $12 to $13 per hour starting this fall (versus the federal amount of $7.25).

We compiled housing data from Zillow, income and unemployment information from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and personal experience to round up 10 of the best places to live in Florida, from urban centers to tiny towns.

Miami

Arguably the most vibrant city in the Sunshine State, Miami packs a punch, and the typical home value in this coastal metropolis is currently $587,252, according to Zillow.

Of course, there are many different neighborhoods in this large, bustling city, with major price differences between South Beach and inland communities, for example. Still, as a global hub of finance, culture, arts, and international trade, Miami offers its residents a unique blend of business opportunities, Florida-Cuban culture, sizzling nightlife, fascinating history, and seaside living.

If you want big-city living with a tropical twist, Miami is your best bet — just look at all the celebrities and billionaires moving in. It can be a pricey place to live, but the unemployment rate here is 3.1 percent, lower than the national average — and while the per capita personal income is $56,419 in the U.S., you can expect to make more in Miami ($68,481), which can balance out the higher costs of living.

Related: 25 Best Things to Do in Miami, From Art Museums to Food Halls

West Palm Beach

Want to be close to Miami without the anonymity of big-city living? Move to West Palm Beach, where the average home value is $406,942 (up 3.8 percent from 2023).

I’ve spent decades visiting 49 countries and this is where I choose to call home, if that tells you anything.

While this world-class city has all the perks of a much larger metro area, it has retained an air of small-town charm thanks to its historic neighborhoods, longtime locals, and strict commitment to purposeful development. Ritzy Palm Beach is just over the bridge, Miami is a quick hour away on the Brightline, and there are three international airports within a 70-mile radius, so it’s easy to get anywhere else you want to go, too.

West Palm Beach has a population just over 120,000 and an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent. While the cost of living is higher than in less desirable metros, Palm Beach County has one of the highest per capita personal incomes in the state of Florida, at $109,055, and in recent years, has led the state’s growth in terms of income and population.

What West Palm Beach lacks in affordable housing, it makes up for in employment opportunities, outdoor activities (especially those in and around the water, including snorkeling and board sports), and lively arts, culture, and entertainment scenes downtown — there are Broadway shows, art galleries, and open-air amphitheaters within a few square miles.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville, the biggest city in Florida (and, believe it or not, the largest city by area in the contiguous U.S.), has a typical home value of $301,690 — lower than the statewide and national values.

Add to that the abundant employment opportunities (the unemployment rate in Jacksonville is 3.8 percent), 22 miles of beaches, well-connected highways, 270 days of sunshine per year, and tons of things to do, and you’ll see why so many families flock to this city. In fact, teachers relocate here from all over to teach in the award-winning St. Johns County School District, a top public school district in Florida.

It’s also one of Florida’s youngest cities, with an average age of 36, and it's home to the largest urban park system in the nation, according to Visit Jacksonville.

Jacksonville is a city that has it all, including plenty of space to welcome newcomers.

Tampa

One of the most desirable locations to live in Florida is Tampa, with an average home value of $385,903 and an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent.

Located on the scenic Tampa Bay along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa is a hub for business, cultural institutions, and outdoor activities, with some of the state’s top restaurants and a high standard of living.

Plus, the popular Busch Gardens amusement park is just as fun as any Orlando theme park, with no long drive required (though Orlando is about an hour and a half away, if you want to make the trip).

You can head to Tampa’s historic Ybor City neighborhood, developed by Cuban and Spanish cigar factory workers in the early 1900s, for dining and nightlife unlike anything else you’ll find in the Sunshine State.

Across the bay, Clearwater and St. Petersburg are becoming increasingly popular for young professionals and families — I’m a big fan of St. Pete’s famous pink hotel and the floral latte at Bandit Coffee Co.

Related: Florida’s New ‘It’ City Has an Over-the-top Pirate Festival, Beautiful Parks, and Michelin-starred Dining

The Villages

The Villages — a massive, master-planned, age-restricted community covering portions of Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties in Central Florida — is the top active adult retirement community in the nation.

With three old-fashioned town squares (all with nightly live entertainment), world-class medical facilities, boutique shopping, and plenty of recreation opportunities, it’s like living at a theme park built for those of a certain age.

As someone raised nearby who attended The Villages Charter Schools from elementary through high school, I can confirm that it is indeed "Florida’s friendliest hometown."

Best of all, nearly all of the 32-square-mile community is connected via a golf cart path, so despite the concentration of things to do, you can forget the headaches of highway traffic.

While only those ages 55 and up can live in The Villages-owned communities, anyone can move into the surrounding neighborhoods and benefit from the array of facilities open to the public. According to Zillow, the average home value in The Villages is $409,251. This value decreased by 2.8 percent in the last year, so now’s a great time to snap up your dream home.

Orlando

Orlando, one of the most popular cities in Florida, has an average home value of $385,207 and an unemployment rate of 3.7 percent.

As one of the top tourist destinations in the state — Orlando is home to more than a dozen theme parks and various other attractions — this city has no shortage of things to do. You can choose from a range of lifestyles, from downtown condo living to suburban single-family homes, and a university draws thousands of students each year, so the city is poised to continue growing.

Plus, who doesn’t want to move to a city where becoming a Disney Annual Passholder is practically a requirement?!

Related: How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Orlando, According to Theme Park and Travel Experts

Ocala

Ocala has long been a haven for horse lovers thanks to its thriving equine community, and it’s also one of the top cities in Florida with the lowest average home values, according to Zillow. As of August 2024, the average home value in Ocala was $273,783, much lower than the U.S. value.

The city may be on the smaller side, but within an hour or two of driving, you can reach beaches, the theme parks of Orlando, and some of the most beautiful freshwater springs in Florida. Plus, with the recent opening of an $800 million resort, it’s safe to say Ocala is on the rise.

Related: The 10 Best Small Towns in Florida

Cape Coral

Cape Coral is a small city near Fort Myers and the Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s southwest coast. Its population of about 217,000 enjoys living near Gulf Coast beaches, golf courses, and other attractions, including 400 miles of canals (and thus ample opportunities for boating, fishing, and water sports). Here, the average home value is $382,205, down 4.7 percent in the last year.

If you want the full Florida experience, you can trust there are a lot of ways to enjoy being outside in Cape Coral, including tennis courts and nature preserves. Plus, you’ll share your hometown with some of Florida’s most charming wildlife, like manatees and birds. Life is quieter and slower in Cape Coral, and for some, that’s exactly the goal.

Lake City

Lake City in northern Florida is another option close to the state's stunning natural springs, but there's also history, cultural attractions, state parks, boutique shopping, and — thanks to its location just below the Georgia line — some mouthwatering Southern cooking.

If you want to move to Florida, but can’t afford expensive destinations like Naples or Key West, Lake City, with a population a little over 12,000 — is a solid option. Lake City saw a notable increase in average home values in the last 12 months, rising 5.3 percent to $259,446, but it is still nearly 100 grand lower than the national number.

Wauchula

Whether you’re looking to move to Florida or already live here, chances are you’ve never heard of the tiny inland town of Wauchula.

But it’s a promising place to look for a Florida home: With a population just under 5,000, it had one of the most sizable year-over-year increases in typical home value, up almost nine percent in the last year. And as of August 2024, the typical home value was $217,647 — a fraction of the national number. Affordable and on the upswing? Two major green flags.

Plus, according to Visit Florida, Wauchula has attractions “well worth your while” — its claim to fame is the Center for Great Apes, the only accredited orangutan sanctuary in the country, and there’s also the Peace River, where you can canoe, kayak, spot wildlife, and hunt for fossils along the riverbanks. On Main Street, you’ll find antiques shops and sandhill crane sculptures (“Wauchula” comes from a Miccosukee word meaning “call of the sandhill crane”); drive 20 minutes and you’ll find Solomon’s Castle, a three-story building made of aluminum and recycled art, with tours led by the artist himself.

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