Top LOOKS for Florida
Moving to Florida: What It’s Like to Live in the Sunshine State
For decades, Florida has symbolized warmth, reinvention, and open skies. People move here for year-round sunshine, no state income tax, and a laid-back rhythm that still offers career opportunities. The state now attracts not only retirees but also remote professionals, healthcare workers, and entrepreneurs drawn to its affordability and energy.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Florida gained more than 365,000 new residents in 2023, the largest population increase in the nation for the second consecutive year. Most newcomers come from high-cost states like New York, Illinois, and California, looking for lighter taxes and outdoor living.
Cost of Living in Florida
Florida’s cost of living is shaped by geography: coastal metros like Miami, Naples, and Sarasota cost far more than inland or northern cities such as Orlando, Gainesville, or Jacksonville.
- Home prices: The median home value statewide is around $390,000. Expect closer to $550,000 – $600,000 in Miami or Naples and about $325,000 – $375,000 in Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville.
- Rent: The average one-bedroom runs $1,700–$1,900, higher along the coasts.
- Taxes: Florida’s lack of income tax saves most residents 4–6 percent compared with other large states.
- Insurance: Home insurance costs average $3,000 – $5,000 per year, among the highest in the U.S., due to hurricane exposure.
- Utilities: Typical monthly utility bills fall near the national average, though air-conditioning use drives summer spikes.
Florida remains financially appealing for households moving from high-tax states, even if insurance and housing offset some of those savings.
TL;DR: Florida Regions at a Glance
Region-----------------------------What Works--------------------------------Good Fit For
South Florida-----------------------Beaches, culture, jobs-----------------------Professionals, int'l movers
(Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm)
Tampa Bay-------------------------Coastal living, affordability, arts---------------Families, remote workers
(Tampa–St. Pete–Clearwater)
Orlando & Central Florida-----------Jobs/attractions/master-planned burbs-------Families, first-time buyers
Jacksonville & NE Florida-----------Affordable, growing job base------------------Military, families, value seekers
Gulf Coast & Southwest------------Retiree paradise, scenery--------------------Retirees, snowbirds
(Sarasota, Naples, Fort Myers)
Panhandle-------------------------Low cost, beaches, slower pace--------------Remote workers, military families
(Pensacola, Panama City)
Where in Florida Should You Live?
South Florida
Home to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, this region has world-class beaches and a global energy unlike any region in the United States. There are thriving Latino and Caribbean communities, filled with young professionals and families, and amazing high-end dining, and nonstop nightlife.
What Works: Year-round warmth, international connectivity, strong creative and tech sectors.
Watch Out For: Expensive housing, traffic, and rising flood insurance rates.
Tampa Bay
Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater balance coastal beauty with livable cost. The area’s economy has expanded into healthcare, tech, and education, and it's pulling in surprising numbers of young professionals. St. Pete stands out for its arts and LGBTQ+ communities, while nearby suburbs offer affordability.
What Works: Manageable prices, coastal scenery, and steady job growth.
Watch Out For: Storm insurance premiums and fast suburban sprawl.
Orlando and Central Florida
Orlando offers a surprising mix. It has major employers like Disney, AdventHealth, and tech firms. And abundant master-planned communities. Beyond theme parks, it’s a family-focused region with good schools and a reasonable cost of living.
What Works: Job availability, newer housing, and a central location for exploring Florida.
Watch Out For: Summer traffic and high tourism demand around key corridors.
Jacksonville and Northeast Florida
Jacksonville has grown into one of the most affordable big cities in Florida, offering beaches, suburban space, and a major port economy. It’s also home to a large military community.
What Works: Lower housing costs, job diversity, and a long coastline.
Watch Out For: Hurricane exposure and commute times across the metro’s vast area.
Southwest Florida and the Gulf Coast
Sarasota, Naples, and Fort Myers deliver the postcard version of Florida: white sand, turquoise water, and manicured neighborhoods. The area is affluent but offers a remarkable quality of life.
What Works: Beauty, calm pace, and well-maintained infrastructure.
Watch Out For: High cost of living and vulnerability to major storms.
The Panhandle
From Pensacola to Panama City, the Panhandle feels more Southern than tropical. It’s popular with military families and remote workers looking for beaches without the big-city prices of southern Florida.
What Works: Affordable homes, friendly pace, and access to the Gulf.
Watch Out For: Limited jobs outside defense and tourism.
Best Cities in Florida to Consider
Miami
International and fast-paced with unmatched nightlife and culture.
Tampa
Balanced metro with coastal charm and strong job growth.
Orlando
Central, affordable, and family-oriented with a wide job base.
St. Petersburg
Artsy and LGBTQ+ friendly with walkable coastal neighborhoods.
Jacksonville
Affordable, spacious, and growing quickly.
Sarasota
Refined, scenic, and a top pick for retirees.
Fort Lauderdale
Laid-back but cosmopolitan, great for professionals near the coast.
Pensacola
Small-city affordability with beach access and military ties.
Is Florida Right for You?
Florida is for people who want sunny days, water sports/leisure, and a lighter tax load, but who can handle heat, humidity, and insurance paperwork. The trade-off works for many: your cost of living may rise in some areas, but your quality of life and access to outdoor activity usually follow. If sunshine and diversity matter more to you than winter sweaters, Florida could be your match.
FAQs About Living in Florida
Q: Is Florida affordable?
A: It depends. Inland and northern metros are reasonable, but coastal cities carry high housing and increasing insurance costs.
Q: What are the safest cities in Florida?
A: Weston, Palm Beach Gardens, and Cape Coral often rank among the safest midsize cities.
Q: How bad is the hurricane risk?
A: Coastal counties face yearly exposure. Most residents manage risk through insurance and building codes, not avoidance.
Q: Do I need a car?
A: Yes. Even in Miami, car ownership is common. Some metros like Tampa and Orlando have expanding transit, but driving dominates.
Q: How’s the job market?
A: Strong and diverse, healthcare, logistics, hospitality, and tech are growing. Unemployment sits below the national average.
Q: Is Florida only for retirees?
A: No. While retirees remain a big part of the population, new arrivals increasingly include young families and remote workers.
Ready to Find Your Florida Fit?
Whether you’re dreaming of coastal calm or big-city sun, Florida offers a version of the good life for nearly everyone.
Take the LookyLOO Quiz to match your lifestyle with the best Florida cities and save them in your Movebook.