Florida’s 3.4% unemployment rate is low compared to the US median of 4.1%. Even its cost of living is 2% below the national average! What better reasons could you need to move to the Sunshine State in 2025?
From Disney World to Miami’s vibrant nightlife, Florida caters to all age groups. Is it even surprising that 467,347 people moved here in 2024 alone? Read on for our list of the 10 best places to live in Florida in 2025. Don’t keep your dream home waiting!
What Are the Best Places to Live in Florida?
| # City | Weighted Average Scores* | Median House Price | Median Income | Cost of Living ⬆️/⬇️ | Community Wellbeing | Crime Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. 🥇 Gainesville | 68.68 | $258K | $43,783 | 0.06% ⬇️ | 64.00 | 9.00 |
| 2. 🥈 Pensacola | 66.96 | $312K | $67,722 | 0.13% ⬇️ | 55.00 | 11.00 |
| 3. 🥉 Jacksonville | 66.70 | $300K | $64,138 | 0.07% ⬇️ | 59.00 | 1.00 |
| 4. Tallahassee | 57.12 | $294K | $52,899 | 0.07% ⬇️ | 54.00 | 10.00 |
| 5. Palm Coast | 56.39 | $347K | $68,824 | 0.13% ⬇️ | 51.00 | 53.00 |
| 6. Daytona Beach | 51.43 | $300K | $47,608 | 0.02% ⬇️ | 53.00 | 7.00 |
| 7. Ocala | 50.85 | $256K | $50,618 | 0.08% ⬇️ | 47.00 | 10.00 |
| 8. Punta Gorda | 44.78 | $414K | $75,898 | 0.03% ⬇️ | 53.00 | 40.00 |
| 9. Tampa | 43.33 | $485K | $66,802 | 0.03% ⬇️ | 59.00 | 16.00 |
| 10. Sebastian | 38.49 | $398K | $65,650 | 0.05% ⬇️ | 54.00 | 49.00 |
*These cities are ranked based on 8 major parameters.
10 Best Places to Live in Florida 🏝️
1. Gainesville
- Median House Price: $258K
Cost of Living: 6% ⬇️ than the national average.
Crime Score: Safer than 9% of U.S. cities.
Unemployment: 5.5%
Walkability Score: 37; it’s a car-dependent city.
Home to the University of Florida, Gainesville is known for its youthful vibe and lively nightlife. It has a bustling downtown filled with shops, restaurants, and theaters that cater to tourists. Even for residents, it serves as the epicenter of Florida’s music, food, and art scene.
The city is also home to the Florida Gators Football team and hosts several sports events year-round. Affordable housing and an active sports, music, and arts culture make it ideal for young professionals who seek an active lifestyle.
» Gainsville Homes for Sale: Find the most affordable places to live in Gainesville.
2. Pensacola
- Median House Price: $312K
- Cost of Living: 13% ⬇️ than the national average.
- Crime Rate: Safer than 11% of U.S. cities.
- Unemployment: 5.50%
- Walkability Score: 36; it’s a car-dependent city.
With turquoise water and sprawling beachfront properties, Pensacola feels like a tropical paradise. Fishing, paddling, and scuba are popular recreations for residents in beachfront properties. You could also explore the city’s plethora of seafood restaurants and pubs.
The city hosts the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show, Pensacola Seafood Festival, and Gulf Coast Jazz Festival. With its low cost of living and reasonably priced housing, it is one of the best places for retirees to live in Florida.
» Pensacola Homes for Sale: Look for properties in one of the best cities to live in Florida.
3. Jacksonville
- Median House Price: $300K
- Cost of Living: 7% ⬇️ than the national average.
- Crime Rate: Safer than 1% of U.S. cities.
- Unemployment: 4.8%
- Walkability Score: 26; it’s a car-dependent city.
Jacksonville is home to the renowned Museum of Science and History. It also appeals to sports enthusiasts and is home to the Jacksonville Axemen Rugby team. Besides, other outdoor activities like fishing, surfing, and biking are also popular among locals.
The healthcare sector employs 13.8% of Jacksonville residents, which is the largest locally. The retail and financial sectors closely follow suit. With a low 4.8% unemployment rate, it is one of the best places to live in Florida for young professionals.
» Jacksonville Homes for Sale: Explore the best places to move in Jacksonville.
4. Tallahassee
- Median House Price: $293K
Cost of Living: 7% ⬇️ than the national average.
Crime Rate: Safer than 10% of U.S. cities.
Unemployment: 6.50%
Walkability Score: 30; it’s a car-dependent city.
The capital city is home to some of the most iconic parks and nature reserves in Florida. You can explore 700 miles of trails, zipline through treetops, or visit the Imagination Fountain at Cascades Park.
Education is the largest sector with around 15.8% of residents employed, followed by government and retail sectors. Due to its moderate housing costs and abundance of recreational activities, it is one of the best cities for single families to live in Florida.
» Tallahassee Homes for Sale: Find top properties in Tallahassee.
5. Palm Coast
- Median House Price: $346K
Cost of Living: 13% ⬇️than the national average
Crime Rate: Safer than 53% of U.S. cities.
Unemployment: 4.10%
Walkability Score: 6; it’s a car-dependent city.
The city is known for its world-class golf courses, including Ocean Course at Hammock Beach Resort. Apart from this, 70-plus miles of salt and freshwater canals and plenty of parks in the city make it perfect for fun family activities.
The retail sector is the largest employer here, with around 16.1% of civilians employed, followed by the healthcare and hospitality sectors. With a low cost of living and crime rate, it is a top choice for families.
» Palm Coast Homes for Sale: Find top properties in Palm Coast.
6. Daytona Beach
- Median House Price: $300K
Cost of Living: 2% ⬇️ than the national average.
Crime Rate: Safer than 7% of U.S. cities.
Unemployment: 5%
Walkability Score: 37; it’s a car-dependent city.
Daytona Beach has a jam-packed event calendar. It’s home to the Daytona International Speedway and hosts the annual DAYTONA 500 -. Moreover, with 60+ popular art and music festivals, it’s no surprise that this city is the sports and festival capital of Florida.
Young professionals flock to Daytona to enjoy the perfect blend of urban seaside living and affordable housing.
» Daytona Beach Homes for Sale: Explore homes in one of the best cities to live in Florida.
7. Ocala
- Median House Price: $255K
Cost of Living: 8% ⬇️ than the national average.
Crime Rate: Safer than 10% of U.S. cities.
Unemployment: 8.30%
Walkability Score: 27; it’s a car-dependent city.
Ocala is home to over 600 horse farms and ‘Horses in the Sun’, one of the USA’s largest horse shows. Besides, the city is highly outdoor-friendly with 77-plus square miles of waterways for boating, kayaking, and fishing.
The healthcare sector employs the most people locally, around 20.1% of residents. It is followed by the retail and hospitality industries. Low housing prices and cost of living make it one of the cheapest cities to live in Florida for families.
» Ocala Homes for Sale: Find top properties in the best places for families to live in Florida.
8. Punta Gorda
- Median House Price: $414K
Cost of Living: 3% ⬇️ than the national average.
Crime Rate: Safer than 40% of U.S. cities.
Unemployment: 4.90%
Walkability Score: 14; it’s a car-dependent city.
Punta Gorda is situated in Western Florida, along the Peace River. Its proximity to Charlotte Harbor makes it a top choice for water sports. You can spend your holidays yachting, sailing, or spotting dolphins on a sunset cruise.
Besides, the nearby Fishermen’s Market is a lively shopping hub for gifts and apparel. It is also a great spot if you love seafood. This city is a popular choice for retirees due to its low crime rate and moderate cost of living.
» Punta Gorda Homes for Sale: Browse homes in one of the best areas to live in Florida.
9. Tampa
- Median House Price: $485K
Cost of Living: 3% ⬇️ than the national average.
Crime Rate: Safer than 16% of U.S. cities.
Unemployment: 5.20%
Walkability Score: 50; it’s somewhat walkable.
From the quiet Riverwalk to the bustling Armature Works market, Tampa caters to a varied demographic. The Busch Gardens and Florida Aquarium are popular recreational spots and the latter houses over 8,000 marine animals.
Tampa is known for its infused Cuban-Spanish culture and a lively downtown area with several eateries and pubs. The city’s low cost of living, combined with a decent walkability score of 50, makes it one of the best cities to live in Florida for retirees.
» Tampa Homes for Sale: Explore houses in one of the best towns to live in Florida.
10. Sebastian
- Median House Price: $379K
Cost of Living: 5% ⬇️ than the national average.
Crime Rate: Safer than 49% of U.S. cities.
Unemployment: 9.60%
Walkability Score: 15, it’s a car-dependent city.
Sebastian is a coastal city in Florida, close to Cape Canaveral Beach. You must also visit the nearby Kennedy Space Center, an important rocket launch-pad used by NASA. Besides, you can enjoy stunning sunset views at the Sebastian Inlet State Park.
The city hosts major cultural events like the annual ‘Sebastian Riverfront Fine Arts & Music Festival’. It is also safer than almost half of all US cities, which makes it a popular option for single families with children.
» Sebastian Homes for Sale: Find homes in one of the best towns to live in Florida.
Best Places to Live in Florida Based on Demographics
We have taken the ranking process one step forward and ranked the best cities based on the different age groups as shown in the following table:
| Demographic | 1🥇 | 2🥈 | 3🥉 |
| Single Families | Tallahassee | Palm Coast | Ocala |
| Young Professionals | Daytona Beach | Jacksonville | Gainesville |
| Retirees | Punta Gorda | Pensacola | Tampa |
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Is Florida the Right Place for Your Next Move?
Florida is one of the best places to live in the US due to its tax-friendly policies and warm climate. It also has a flourishing job market and sunny beaches. Moreover, the cost of living in Florida is 2% lower than the national average.
Browse Homes For Sale in Florida by Price and Type
Research Methodology for the Best Places to Live in Florida
This study ranks cities using a weighted average scoring model based on eight parameters:
- Median House Price: Redfin[1]
- Population: Zipatlas[2]
- Median Income: Zipatlas[3]
- Expenses: Zipatlas[4]
- Unemployment Rate: Zipatlas[5]
- Cost of Living: Rentcafe[6]
- Community Well-Being: Sharecare[7]
- Crime Index Score: Neighborhoodscout[8]
The total score for each city combines a weighted score for its rank. Here’s the weightage: population (10%), home price (20%), income (20%), expenses (15%), unemployment (15%), cost of living (10%), crime index (5%), and well-being (5%).
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in Florida for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, and retirees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which part of Florida is best to live in?
Metropolitan areas like Jacksonville and Tampa are best for young professionals. Small cities with lower cost of living and moderate population are the best option for retirees and families.
What's the cheapest place to live in Florida?
Lake City is one of the cheapest places to live in Florida with a median house price of $256,530.
Where is the nicest but cheapest place to live in Florida?
The best city to live in Florida is Gainesville with a median house price of $258,000 and cost of living 13% lower than the national average.
