For many, Florida evokes living in the sunshine with palm trees blowing in the breeze. With warm weather and beautiful beaches, there is no doubt that Florida is a premier tourist destination. For Sunshine State residents, Florida is so much more. If you’ve thought about relocating to Florida, we’ll help you learn some of the ins and outs.
Is Florida a Good Place to Live?
Yes, Florida can be a great place to live. Its year-round warm weather and lack of state income tax make it an attractive location for transplants, particularly from New York, California and New Jersey. Remote work is also allowing more flexibility for people to move here.
“Since COVID, people have realized they can work from anywhere,” says Joseph Beltrand, a South Florida resident for 37 years and Realtor with Coldwell Banker. “This is a great place to be, especially in the winer.”
Florida is the third-most populous state in the country with over 22 million residents. It’s proving to be an extremely popular place to relocate. After decades of rapid growth, Florida now claims the title of the fastest-growing state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Between 2021 and 2022, its population rose 1.9%. Wildwood-The Villages, Lakeland-Winter Haven, Ocala and Port St. Lucie are among the areas that helped fuel this growth.
The increase in residents is helping shift the landscape of this already diverse state. Between 2010 and 2020, Florida’s Latino population saw the greatest growth of any other group. Florida’s rich cultural heritage is part of what makes it a great place to live.
Fast Facts About Florida
| Population | 21.5M |
| Median Household Income | $69,303 |
| Employment Rate | 56.8% |
| Healthcare Coverage | 88.8% |
Pros of Living in Florida
Florida offers a warm escape year-round, but the sunshine is just the beginning. Florida offers a variety of outdoor activities and cultural events. Florida’s lack of state income tax is also a potential perk if you’re moving from another state.
Warm Climate Year-Round
Florida is the southernmost state in the continental U.S. Ask any snowbird, and they’ll tell you that one of the best things about Florida is the warm winters. When compared with northeastern states, Florida has nearly double the amount of sunlight hours and much warmer temperatures in the winter, according to a report by Florida Climate Center. Temperatures vary by location. Key West has an average January low of 65 F, while Tallahassee has an average low of around 38 F.
No State Income Tax
Florida residents do not have to pay state income tax. This means more money in your pocket with each paycheck. It also saves some extra filing during tax season. This can make a significant financial difference, especially for transplants from California, New York and other high income tax states.
“A lot of my clients are trying to escape higher taxes,” Beltrand says. “If you’re from New York or California, you’re saving a tremendous amount of money.”
Beautiful Beaches and Outdoor Activities
As a peninsula, Florida is uniquely positioned to have the longest coastline in the contiguous United States. Florida residents can watch the sun rise over the Atlantic and set on the Gulf of Mexico. Coastal living offers not only waterfront views but also a wide variety of activities; just make sure to have sunscreen on hand. Boating, fishing, shelling and relaxing with a book are a part of everyday life.
Each beach provides something unique. Southeast Florida offers snorkeling along the tropical reef. On the Gulf Coast, Sanibel Island is a popular spot for shelling. The panhandle offers unique coastal ecosystems with scrubs and longleaf pine forests.
Diverse Cultural Experiences and Events
Florida fun doesn’t stop at its beaches. Festivals and events are great places to sample some of the state’s iconic food, music and art. Some festivals also pay homage to the state’s rich cultural heritage.
Thanks to Florida’s warm weather, events take place here throughout the year. Here are just a few of Florida’s favorite festivals:
- Calle Ocho: Based in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood, the Calle Ocho Music Festival is the country’s largest Latin music festival. Every March a million people attend the festival, featuring street performers, live entertainment on 30 stages, conga lines, a parade and authentic street food. Fifteen blocks are reserved for the festival, including shops, murals and other attractions.
- Art Basel: Miami hosts its own rendition of this art fair also held in Hong Kong, Paris and Basel, Switzerland. Held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the December event showcases works of modern and contemporary art by artists from around the world. It attracts serious art collectors and investors, but casual art appreciators can wander the galleries to get a glimpse of world-class pieces. Art Basel is held in conjunction with Miami Art Week, featuring satellite art fairs and exhibits at local museums.
- Florida Seafood Festival: The Florida Seafood Festival provides a glimpse at small-town Florida along with some fantastic food. Located in Apalachicola in the panhandle, this two-day festival in November draws tens of thousands of visitors with seafood, live music and craft exhibits. It also features blue crab races and oyster eating and shucking contests. Visitors enjoy the festivities with views of the Apalachicola River under shady oak trees.
- Gasparilla Pirate Fest: This festival is Tampa’s signature event and one of the most unique festivals in Florida. Originating in 1904, the pirate-themed festival in January nods to the mythical pirate Jose Gaspar, who was thought to sail along Florida’s west coast. Hundreds of vessels sail into the festival, including a fully rigged ship with a band of pirates who invade the city. The event culminates in a parade down Bayshore Boulevard. Onlookers are encouraged to don pirate garb.
Cons of Living in Florida
One of the biggest trade-offs for Florida’s year-round warmth can be a high cost of living, particularly if you’re planning to move to a popular coastal town. The Sunshine State is also prone to high heat and humidity, as well as a hurricane season that residents need to be prepared for.
High Humidity and Heat
Florida’s year-round warmth sometimes gets extreme. South Florida has a tropical climate, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms in the summer. North and Central Florida have a subtropical climate, noted for long, hot and humid summers.
Key West has an average August high of 91 F, with a heat index that can reach the mid-90s. Tallahassee has an average August high temperature of 93 F. Sea breezes can provide some reprieve in coastal areas.
Florida Is Prone to Hurricanes
Hurricanes are a part of life each year from June 1 to November 30. Peak season is between mid-August and late October. Areas around Tampa, Jacksonville and the Big Bend are less likely to be struck directly, according to the Florida Climate Center.
Since 1850, each area of the state’s coastline has seen at least one hurricane. Florida building codes, varying by risk zone, require homes to have wind-resistant features for these natural disasters. When a hurricane approaches, there is typically enough warning to stockpile water and make other preparations.
High Cost of Living in Some Areas
Florida’s statewide cost of living is 3.1% higher than the national average, according to data reported by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. Some Florida cities have a particularly high cost of living.
Orlando, Sarasota, Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Miami and Fort Lauderdale rank as the top five most expensive cities in the state, according to a Business Insider analysis. Single-family homes have a median price of $705,000 in Miami and $670,000 in Fort Lauderdale, according to Homes.com data. A trip to the beauty salon in those cities might cost upwards of $73, Business Insider says.
Seasonal Tourist Crowds
Visit Florida, a tourism marketing agency, reports that a record-breaking 140.6 million people visited Florida in 2023, an increase from pre-COVID numbers. The influx of crowds is a double-edged sword for the state and its residents.
While tourism dollars help fuel the economy, it can also impact day-to-day life. One of the biggest impacts is added traffic, especially at big events. “Fort Lauderdale has the largest boat show in the world, which causes a tremendous amount of gridlock,” Beltrand says. “In Miami, Art Basel puts that town at a standstill.”
Best Places to Live in Florida
From the hustle and bustle of Miami to the family-friendly attractions of Orlando, Florida offers unique cities that each have their own unique charm. If you’re planning to move to Florida, these cities are among the best places to live.
Miami, FL
One of Florida’s most iconic cities, Miami needs little introduction. At once an international vacation destination, business hub and entertainment haven, it’s the vibrant center of South Florida. A majority Hispanic and Latino population shapes this city’s food, language, politics and culture.
Miami’s soaring skyline is made up of multinational business headquarters and million-dollar condos. Despite its pricey cost of living, the city continues to grow.
South Beach is one of Miami’s most well-known areas, with historic Art Deco hotels opening up to white sand beaches. The Miami Design District offers an upscale experience with Michelin-starred restaurants and designer stores. Buildings serve as art canvases in the Wynwood neighborhood, with massive murals around every corner. Historically a haven for Cuban immigrants, Little Havana is a vibrant site of authentic food, music and festivals.
The Miami metro area is just east of the Everglades, a wetland ecosystem unlike any other in the world. Spanning 1.5 million acres across the southern part of Florida, it’s a vast area that is home to many threatened and endangered species like the Florida panther, West Indian manatee and American crocodile. There are various ways to experience it, like taking a guided kayak tour, walking the boardwalks and much more.
Orlando, FL
Home to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and other parks, Orlando attracts more than 70 million visitors each year. It’s also become a relocation destination. Since 2020, Orlando has added more than 144,500 new residents.
Many Orlando residents take advantage of the theme parks with an annual pass. Disney fanatics can spend a morning in the parks and be back home in time to log into work in the afternoon. The city is also rich with food, culture and entertainment options beyond the theme parks. It boasts four Michelin-starred restaurants, cultural events like Come Out with Pride and music events like the Electric Daisy Carnival.
Orlando is also close to some of the state’s most unique nature. Central Florida has over 700 freshwater springs, where crystal-clear water maintains a year-round temperature of 72 F. These are some of Florida’s most picturesque spaces, with Spanish moss draping over ancient cypress trees and manatees floating on the vibrant blue waters. Glass-bottom boat tours, kayaks and swimming offer an up-close look at the springs.
Tampa, FL
On Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa is a bustling city that blends an active urban environment with waterfront amenities. It is Florida’s third-largest city, with a population approaching 400,000.
Tampa has a diverse economy based on tourism, agriculture, construction and other sectors, as well as Florida’s largest port. A strong job market and rich cultural scene help to attract new residents. So does its location in the larger Tampa Bay area, which includes St. Petersburg.
Tampa makes the most of its location on the water, from boating to seafood to unique events. The 2.4-mile Tampa Riverwalk offers waterfront views and leads to some of Tampa’s cultural centers like the Tampa Museum of Art. The city is known in part for the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, bringing in 300,000 people each year. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL team, the Lightning NHL team, and the Rays MLB team all make a splash in this city.
Jacksonville, FL
In Florida’s northeast corner, Jacksonville is the largest city in the state, and in the contiguous United States by land mass at 840 square miles. This port town is a significant transportation and commercial center and a major point of wholesale distribution for the Southeastern U.S., especially for motor vehicles. The city is on the rise, with 14,066 people moving here between July 2022 and 2023. It is also relatively affordable, with a lower cost of living than the national average.
Business and shipping help make Jacksonville a destination for more than just retirees. It is Florida’s youngest city, with an average age of 36, compared with the state average of 42. Over 23,000 people work at the Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the city’s biggest employer.
Football reigns supreme in the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have captured four division titles since their first game in 1995. Outdoor recreation is also a highlight for Jacksonville, which boasts the country’s largest urban park system. Outdoor spaces also include 22 miles of beaches.
Considerations When Moving to Florida
Moving to Florida requires careful consideration. While job opportunities are plentiful and the state boasts a strong education system, housing costs can vary greatly depending on location. Here are the key factors to consider before making the Sunshine State your home.
Cost of Housing
When viewed statewide, Florida’s home prices are on par with the national average. However, housing can be expensive in some of the state’s more desirable areas. Florida houses can also be a good investment.
Florida home prices rose 3.1% between 2023 and 2024, and continue to rise. Residents may also benefit from renting out their homes part-time. Especially in touristy areas, rental properties can help generate extra income.
Job Opportunities
Florida’s strong job market can help make the move easier. The state’s unemployment rate is 3.3%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is slightly lower than the national unemployment rate of 3.9%. Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and Miami made the Wall Street Journal’s 2024 list of the top 10 job markets in the country.
Quality of Education
By some metrics, Florida ranks as one of the top states for education. In May 2024, U.S. News and World Report ranked Florida as the No. 1 state in the nation for education. The ranking considers strong performances in both higher education and K-12 metrics. According to Niche, Sarasota County Schools, St. Johns County School District, and Seminole County Public Schools rank as the state’s first, second and third-best school districts, respectively.
In 2023, Florida increased funding to its public universities by $1 billion. Top universities are located throughout the state, including the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of Miami.
Healthcare Facilities
Generally, Florida ranks about average for healthcare. According to a 2023 Forbes Advisor ranking of the best and worst states for healthcare, Florida received a score of 22 out of 50. The analysis considers healthcare access, healthcare outcomes, healthcare cost and quality of hospital care.
In Florida’s more expensive cities like Miami, some residents struggle to afford health insurance on top of expensive housing and food costs. According to Census data, about 11.2% of Floridians don’t have healthcare coverage, compared with 7.9% nationally.
Is It Smart to Move to Florida?
There is no doubt that Florida has a lot to offer, from diverse nature to international attractions and iconic cities. It’s no wonder why more people are moving here than any other state. Yet making the move can be a difficult decision.
When making the decision to move to Florida, consider what is most important to you. If kids are a factor, or you’re in college, Florida could be a good contender. If access to quality healthcare is a priority, it might be wise to choose a Florida city that stands above the rest for hospitals. It might also be wise to consider the cost of living, since that can vary from city to city.
Long-Term Planning and Financial Stability
Making any move requires financial planning. The move itself can be a considerable expense. Buying a home is another consideration. Although it is possible to find a home within budget, some areas in Florida have competitive housing markets, which means that it could take longer. Making a competitive bid on a house might require additional time and expense.
Liz Coughlin is an experienced journalist who spent three years as a reporter in the Villages, Florida, where she specialized in local news, human interest and entertainment stories. With a track record for quality hyper-local reporting, she loves to zoom in on neighborhoods across the country to uncover what makes each one special. Liz holds a B.A. in English with an emphasis on Editing, Writing and Media from Florida State University.
