10 Best Places to Live in Florida in 2024
Looking back to the start of the pandemic, state relocation has become an ever-growing trend in the United States. And it is unsurprising that of all the US states, Florida has seen some of the highest growth of newcomers. For many, the allure of this southeastern state is tied to a few intriguing factors: Florida's lack of state income tax, the gorgeous landscapes, and the persisting sunshine.
While people of all ages continue to move here, it is also no secret that this Sunshine State has become somewhat synonymous with its retiree population. Yet, alongside these thriving seniors, “young people are flocking to Florida” more than ever, according to sources like Business Insider. And with this blended demographic, there are countless factors to consider when making your decision on where to move in Florida, whether as a long-time or first-time Floridian.
Luckily, Florida has a remarkable range of cities and towns with different price points, locations, and values to consider, whether you are hoping to find a city with a spirited, youthful energy or a quieter town to retire or raise a family. Taking these different desires and demographics into account, here are 10 of the best places to live in Florida in 2024.
Tallahassee
Year after year, Tallahassee continues to rank as one of Florida’s best places to live. The cost of living is definitely one of the biggest perks of this state capital, at 5% lower than Florida’s average and 7% lower than the national rate. Along with a medium house price of $312,500-USD (lower than the US average), you can see why the city is so highly admired. It is especially popular with young adults looking to embrace the college scene or job-hunt in the region’s more popular fields of health care, education, state government, and tech.
Home to Florida State University, several historic districts, and the Railroad Square Art District, this college city is a flourishing cultural hub with a youthful energy and timeless art scene. As a Designated Trail Town, there are also tons of green spaces and outdoor attractions in Tallahassee, like Cascades Park or Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. The latter is world-renowned for its pristine gardens, reflection pools, and access to Lake Hall for fishing, swimming, and kayaking. The state park also brings the Tallahassee community together throughout the year with events like the upcoming Tour of Gardens held in May and the Camellia Christmas event later in December. Beyond the park, Tallahassee residents have tons of other events and festivals to look forward to, like the Springtime Tallahassee Festival, taking place April 5th to 6th this 2024.
Gainesville
With a cost of living 4% lower than the state average, Gainesville is another city popular with Floridians on a budget, making it especially well liked by families, young adults, and retirees. The latter will appreciate Gainseville’s world-class healthcare facilities, like the UF Health Shands Hospital, which is listed on the U.S News & World Report’s 2019-2020 Best Hospital list. Young adults, on the other hand, are probably more inclined to appreciate Gaineville’s college town feel. As the home of the University of Florida, the academic atmosphere and lively population of young people is continuously thriving. But regardless of demographic, all Gainesville locals can appreciate the city’s endless list of things to do, from museums to parks and everything in between. The Florida Museum of Natural History, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, and Newnans Lake State Forest are just a few of the diverse attractions in this sought-after city.
Marco Island
Contrasting the previous cities, Marco Island has a comparably high cost of living, but for some, this is worth every penny when considering that it is one of the safest areas in all of Florida. This Gulf of Mexico barrier island has an 86% lower crime rate compared to other Florida communities, making it a stand-out choice for those with families and people hoping to retire with peace of mind.
You may also take into account that since Marco Island is a tourist destination, you will have daily access to the attractions many come to visit from across the country and even overseas. As the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands, beaches are in high supply, and public shores like Tiger Tail Beach are gorgeous year-round. Companies like Paddle Marco Island also make kayak rentals easy if you do not already own your own. Plus, not all attractions are beach-based in this island community, with features like the Marco Island Historical Museum and Marco Island Center for the Arts. But if you are hoping to embrace that quintessential island lifestyle, there are also countless outdoor events throughout the year celebrating just that, like the annual Marco Island Seafood and Music Festival in March.
Naples
Close to Marco Island, Naples is another Gulf of Mexico city with miles of white-sand shore and world-class tourist attractions. From the Naples Pier to the Barefoot Beach Preserve, life in Naples is reminiscent of a permanent tropical getaway. But like Marco Island, this means you would be paying higher waterfront prices. For this reason, Naples is more commonly favored by retirees than people just starting off, affirmed by Niche ranking it as one of the best places to retire in the state.
But for families prioritizing safety and education, Naples offers both. Safer than around 30% of US neighborhoods and ranked by Niche as having one of the “Best School Districts in Florida,” while Naples may be expensive, it is undeniably a great place to raise a family. There are also countless educational attractions and events for the city’s youngsters, like the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens and the annual Earth Day Festival. This year, the free family-friendly event will take place April 20th.
Pensacola
As the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle, Pensacola is a great option for those looking to embrace a beach lifestyle without the coastal costs. The city’s cost of living is 5% lower than the national average, and compared to other communities on the Gulf of Mexico, the housing is on the lower end of the scale. With a median listing home price of $315,000-USD as of 2024, you can see why Pensacola is such a sought-after place to live in Florida.
As a gateway to Pensacola Beach, a drive to the Santa Rosa barrier island will generally take less than 15 minutes across the Pensacola Bay Bridge. The sugar-sand shores and 1,471-foot-long Pensacola Beach Pier are a blissful escape from everyday life for Pensacola residents. But with a bridge and bay between the city and beach, there is also a healthy boundary for those wishing to avoid an overly touristy atmosphere. But most Pensacola residents will agree that certain tourist attractions and events should be embraced, like exploring the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail or watching the Pensacola Beach Airshow in July.
Longboat Key
If you are more of an introverted Floridian looking to savor a secluded and laid-back beach lifestyle, the town of Longboat Key may be your ticket to paradise. Located on a barrier island, this town of under-8000-residents is less about big city lights and more about embracing the slow pace of a small beach town. And while the cost of living is on the higher side, Longboat Key also has a much lower crime rate compared to the US average, as well as having above average public schools, making it a great place for young families and retirees alike.
With 12 miles of pristine white-sand beachfront, including Whitney Beach, living in Longboat is like a permanent vacation. But the outdoors do not end beachside, with other island attractions like Joan M. Durante Community Park, a protected wetland for wildlife spotting and nature hikes. And whether you would prefer to keep to yourself or stay active in the community is up to you—but if you would prefer to embrace the latter, Longboat hosts fun community events throughout the year, like the annual Longboat Key Arts Festival.
Sarasota
Around 30 minutes from Longboat, Sarasota is a city you have probably seen at the top of countless “Best Places to Live in Florida” lists. With a population of a little under 55,000, Sarasota contrasts Longboat Key, not only in size, but by offering a more active beach community with even more attractions and recreational opportunities. Some examples include the 35-plus miles of beach, the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and the Sarasota Jungle Gardens to name a few. To add, the cost of living in Sarasota is around 34% cheaper than living in Longboat Key, making Sarasota the more cost effective of the 2. Bear in mind, the cost of living in Sarasota is still 4% higher than the national average—but with so much to see and do in this popular coastal city, for many, this is justifiable.
Lynn Haven
For those looking to move somewhere more affordable to raise a family, the town of Lynn Haven is a far cheaper alternative with an excellent atmosphere for raising young children. Along with high-rated schools, Lynn Haven has low crime rates, and the cost of living is nearly 5% lower than the US average and over 7% lower than the Florida average. For these reasons and more, Niche listed Lynn Haven as the “#1 Best Place to Raise a Family in Bay County.”
Additionally, due to its location on Florida's Emerald Coast, Lynn Haven has ample outdoor attractions and activities to keep the youngsters active and engaged. This includes countless scenic parks and nature areas for hikes and bike rides, like A.L. Kinsaul Park, Sharon J. Sheffield Park, and Lynn Haven Bayou Park & Preserve. And just 30 minutes away by car, the town of Panama City Beach opens up a whole new world of nearby attractions as well, like the ZooWorld Zoological Park and St. Andrews State Park.
Port St. Lucie
Ranked as the “Second Safest City in the Country” in 2022 by US News and World Report Magazine, Port St. Lucie is another city great for blossoming families or those looking to enjoy city life without the fear of high crime rates. With the added advantage of a lower cost of living (around 4% lower than the Florida average), residents can savor the comfort of a safe community without the high costs other safe Florida cities are known to have.
With a population of over 256,000, community building is an integral part of life in Port St. Lucie, with year-round events like the annual St. Lucie Seafood Festival which took place this previous January and the St. Lucie Earth Day Festival coming up on April 20th, 2024. In terms of year-round outdoor recreation, the nearby Atlantic coast and St. Lucie River makes this city an outdoor playground. Nature can be explored at settings like the Spruce Bluff Preserve, Oak Hammock Park, Savannas Preserve State Park, and the city’s crown jewel, the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens.
Cape Coral
Last but not least, we have Florida’s “Venice of America,” the city of Cape Coral. Home to 400 miles of canals, when you first visit and behold the gorgeous city of waterways, you will see why it earned a nickname comparing it to the iconic Italian capital. Bordered by the Caloosahatchee River with the Fort Myers coast just 15 minutes away, picturesque scenes and outdoor recreation are a thing of beauty in this southwestern city. Home to Sirenia Vista Park (popular for its manatee viewing areas and kayak launches) and the Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve’s scenic boardwalk trail, these are just a fraction of the ways to enjoy Cape Coral’s natural beauty. As with other Florida settings, some consider the higher cost of living a forgivable price to pay in exchange for the glorious surroundings and gateway to nature. Also considering the city’s high safety rating (the total crime rate here is 49% lower than the Florida average) Cape Coral is an especially fabulous spot for retirees.
Final Thoughts
While Florida has maintained a strong reputation for welcoming seniors, we are seeing a continued increase in young people wanting to make this Sunshine State their home as well. In some ways, both demographics want the same things: warm weather, lots of sun, and gorgeous gateways to the coast. But in other cases, there are contrasting factors to consider, such as access to academics, attractions for young families, and the cost of living. Whether embracing Tallahassee’s college scene, Gainesville’s popularity with retirees, or Lynn Haven’s family-friendly atmosphere, one thing connects each of the 10 towns and cities on this list: the welcoming communities and endless sunshine.
