23 Pros and Cons of Living in Florida

From pastel sunsets and palm trees to no state income tax, Florida knows how to market the good life. For retirees, remote workers, and sun-seekers alike, the Sunshine State has long offered warm weather and wallet-friendly perks.

But there’s more to Florida than flip-flops and freedom. Hurricane season is real. So are rising insurance costs, flood zones, and critters you didn’t sign up to live with. So is Florida your forever home, or just your favorite vacation spot?

We’re breaking down the key pros and cons of living in Florida, from housing costs to lifestyle trade-offs, so you can decide if it’s the right move for you.

Methodology: We used internal Apartment List data and cross-referenced it with housing trends from Rent.com and Apartments.com to give you the most accurate snapshot of Florida living as of September 2025. Crime insights are sourced from CrimeGrade.org and Weichert.

Key Insights

• Housing costs: As of August 2025, the average rent in Florida stands at $1,694/month. That number shifts dramatically depending on the city: in Jacksonville, one-bedroom units average $1,448, while Miami’s one‑bedroom rent hovers near $2,673. Across the state, two‑bedrooms also vary widely.
• Unemployment Rate: Florida’s unemployment rate was 3.7% in July 2025, steady for recent months, slightly below or near U.S. averages, indicative of consistent job demand.
• Population & Demographics: Florida is the third most populous state in the U.S., home to over 23 million residents as of 2025. The state saw an inflow of nearly 637,000 in 2024 alone, largely driven by retirees, remote workers, and tax-conscious transplants. Florida is also one of the most age-diverse states: while nearly 21% of residents are 65 or older, major cities like Orlando and Tampa are seeing growth among millennials and Gen Z renters.

Quick Facts About Florida

1. Pro - Low Tax Burden

Florida is one of the few U.S. states with no state income tax, which means more of your paycheck stays in your pocket. For example, someone earning $70,000/year might save several thousand dollars annually compared to states like California or New York, where state income tax brackets can cut 6‑12% or more. Over time, that extra take‑home pay can cover things like monthly utilities, or even extra insurance premiums that Florida often requires.

2. Con - High Cost of Living in Popular Cities

Popular Florida cities like Miami and Orlando can come with a surprisingly high price tag. Miami’s overall cost of living is roughly 18.9% higher than the national average, with housing alone sitting 36% above U.S. norms, making it one of the least affordable cities in the state.

Orlando is a bit more balanced, with a cost of living 6% higher than the national average. Essentials like food and electricity tend to cost more statewide. Groceries in Miami, for example, run 7% higher than the national average. While Florida offers no state income tax, daily living in high-demand areas can quickly eat into any savings.

3. Pro - Warm Winters

Florida winters are gentle: in places like Orlando, Tampa, or Miami, average highs in December‑February hover from 65‑75°F, with nights seldom dropping below 50‑55°F. Snowbirds (those who escape harsher winters elsewhere) flood in for a reason. These months are perfect for outdoor walks, golf, or lounging by the Gulf. It’s cold elsewhere, sure, but down here, “winter” feels like a sweet pause rather than a freeze.

4. Con - Lack of Quality Healthcare

Florida has a higher-than-average rate of uninsured residents. About 13.9% of people under age 65 do not have public or private health insurance, compared to roughly 9.5% nationally. This gap is worse in rural and small-town areas: in many low‑income counties, uninsured rates reach 37%, versus ~24% in Florida’s more urbanized metro areas.

Even where insurance exists, access to high‑quality care is patchy. Florida has only 12 Critical Access Hospitals statewide serving rural regions and a relatively thin density of rural health clinics, creating long travel times to get specialty or emergency care

5. Pro - Iconic Vacation Destination

Florida has around 1,350+ miles of coastline (Atlantic + Gulf combined), making it one of the top beach‑states in terms of water access. Each year, Florida draws over 140 million visitors (pre‑pandemic, but this number is trending back up in recent years), visiting destinations like Walt Disney World, the Florida Keys, South Beach, Everglades National Park, and Kennedy Space Center. These attractions generate strong tourism economies.

6. Con - Natural Disasters

Florida faces serious risk from natural disasters, especially hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding, and storm surge. These disasters not only threaten lives, but also drive some of the highest insurance costs in the U.S. For example, home insurance premiums in the state average $11,759 per year in 2024, compared to a national average of $2,170, which is far lower.

One infamous recent event was Hurricane Ian (2022), which caused an estimated $112 billion in damage and became the costliest hurricane in Florida’s history. Because of this, owning in high‑risk zones often means paying steep insurance, having hurricane or flood deductibles that are percentages of a home’s value, and bracing for potential nonrenewals or skyrocketing rates.

7. Pro - Diversity

Florida ranks as one of the most diverse states in the U.S., often listed in the top five overall by ethnicity and birthplace diversity. According to Data USA, about 21‑22% of Florida’s population (roughly 4.6–4.7 million people) were born outside the U.S. as of 2023. Ethnically, Florida’s mix includes approximately 52% White (non‑Hispanic), 27% Hispanic or Latino, 15% Black/African American, and smaller but growing Asian and multiracial populations.

This diversity shows up in everyday life. You’ll find Cuban‑influenced cafés in Miami, Haitian Creole spoken in parts of Broward County, Puerto Rican culture in Orlando, Colombian and Venezuelan restaurants, and vibrant festivals celebrating Latinx, Caribbean, and African heritages.

8. Con - Transportation

A car is basically essential in Florida, unless you're living in a few dense city cores. Each year, Florida hosts around 130–143 million visitors from around the U.S. and overseas, and in high‑tourism metros like Orlando or Miami, this seasonal influx adds serious congestion to already busy highways.

On safety, Florida ranks third in the nation for highway fatalities. There were about 3,320 fatal crashes in 2022, according to recent reports. The risk is amplified in zones with many elderly drivers, mixed traffic (tourists, commercial, local), and roads not designed for heavy seasonal traffic.

9. Pro - Affordable Housing

Florida still offers relatively affordable homeownership compared to many coastal states. The median home price for single‑family existing homes in Florida is about $404,200 as of July 2025. In major metros like Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville, the typical prices are slightly lower than Miami or Fort Lauderdale but have risen steadily over the past year.

Even though statewide median prices dipped slightly year‑over‑year (about ‑1.3%), the overall trend shows limited inventory and steady demand, which means it’s a good time to buy before market pressure pushes prices up again.

10. Con - Humidity

Florida summers are hot and sticky. In cities like Miami‑Dade and Hillsborough (Tampa area), extremely humid days (i.e. dew points above ~75°F) have increased significantly. For example, Tampa now averages 63 extremely humid days per summer, up from 44 just a few decades ago.

Because of this, AC is essential. Air conditioning and cooling systems account for more than 40% of a typical Florida home’s utility bills. The average monthly electricity bill in the state runs $171.23, slightly above national averages, thanks largely to keeping interiors cool and moisture under control.

11. Pro - Strong Employment

As of July 2025, the unemployment rate held at 3.7%, consistently below the U.S. average in recent months. Major employers span tourism and hospitality (think theme parks and resorts), agriculture, healthcare, trade, logistics, and manufacturing. Specialty sectors are also growing fast, as Florida is a hub for aviation & aerospace, life sciences, clean energy, fintech, and defense.

For someone hoping to switch fields or start fresh, Florida offers more frequent openings in “non‑coastal” industries (like agricultural exports or bio‑tech in Orlando and Tampa) than many other states.

12. Con - Flat Landscape

If you’re someone who dreams of big peaks, rugged trails, or mountainous terrain, Florida won’t satisfy that itch. The highest natural point in the state is Britton Hill, located in Walton County. It tops out at just 345 feet above sea level, making it the lowest state high point in the U.S.

13. Pro - Coastal Access

Florida’s coastlines are some of the most extensive in the contiguous United States. The state has approximately 1,350 miles of coastline when considering its Atlantic and Gulf shores. One of the crown jewels is Florida’s Coral Reef, which stretches nearly 350 miles from the Dry Tortugas to the St. Lucie Inlet, the only living barrier reef system in the continental U.S.

What makes Florida beaches unique is their diversity. From sugar white sand beaches in the Panhandle (like Destin) to surf‑friendly spots on the Atlantic side (like Cocoa Beach), to calm, shallow waters in the Keys for snorkeling and paddleboarding. Many Floridians live within an hour or less of a beach (especially in coastal metros), making spontaneous beach trips a regular thing rather than a weekend splurge.

14. Con - Creepy Crawlers

Florida is a breeding ground for bugs, critters, and wildlife that many people aren’t used to. The state is home to over 80 species of mosquitoes, including several that pose public health threats by carrying diseases like dengue and West Nile Virus. In 2024, Florida recorded 1,044 local and travel‑associated dengue cases, the highest number in the continental U.S. that year.

Beyond mosquitoes, you’ll come across palmetto bugs (big cockroaches), ants, termites, bed bugs, ticks, and invasive creatures like Burmese pythons in the Everglades, all part of the unexpected ecosystem in many areas

15. Pro - Watersports and Recreation

Florida is uniquely rich in freshwater and marine environments, with more than 7,800 lakes, over 1,700 rivers and streams, and about 12,000 miles of fishable waterways according to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. This aquatic abundance means that beyond beaches, residents can enjoy kayaking in spring‑fed rivers, paddling through mangrove tunnels, boating on big lakes like Okeechobee, freshwater fishing, and exploring hundreds of natural springs where the water stays clear and cool year‑round.

16. Con - No Seasonal Change

In Florida, there are really only two seasons: hot and slightly less hot. Locals joke that the state goes from “summer to hurricane” season with barely a leaf changing color. While the year-round warmth is part of the appeal, some find the lack of traditional seasonal change monotonous over time. As the saying goes, “Even paradise gets boring when every day is postcard-perfect.” If you love crisp fall air, snowflakes, or even spring blooms, the constant sunshine might leave you longing for a little more weather drama.

17. Pro - Lively Sports Culture

Florida is a sports lover’s paradise with teams representing every major league, and plenty of college rivalries to keep the energy high year-round. Whether you're into football, basketball, baseball, or hockey, there's always a game to catch and a crowd to cheer with.

Here are just some of the major teams that call Florida home:

• NFL: Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars
• NBA: Miami Heat, Orlando Magic
• MLB: Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins
• NHL: Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning
• MLS: Inter Miami CF, Orlando City SC
• College Sports: Florida Gators (UF), Florida State Seminoles (FSU), Miami Hurricanes (UM), UCF Knights

18. Con - Education Rating

Florida ranks 41st in the U.S. for public school quality according to the 2025 World Population Review rankings. While there are excellent schools (for example, Pine View School in Osprey, and Doral Academy of Technology) that test in the top percentile for reading and math, many districts lag. Large class sizes, relatively low teacher pay (Florida was ranked 50th nationally for overall teacher pay in a recent NEA study), and gaps in reading/math proficiency (around 52% proficiency in both subjects statewide) are persistent issues.

19. Pro - Endless Activities

There’s rarely a quiet moment in Florida. Happenings range from music festivals and state fairs to food events and cultural celebrations so varied, you could plan a themed weekend every time the calendar flips. In Tampa, the Gasparilla Pirate Festival charges in every winter with parades, costumes, live bands, and as many as 300,000 people attending the Parade of Pirates alone.

West Palm Beach draws over 100,000 visitors to SunFest, its waterfront music & arts festival in early May, and in the Keys, Fantasy Fest in Key West turns late October into ten days of masquerades, costume contests, and street parties.

20. Con - Sinkhole Risks

Sinkholes are a serious geological concern in Florida. Much of the state sits atop porous limestone and carbonate rock (karst terrain), meaning that acidic rainwater and groundwater easily dissolve underground rock, creating voids that can eventually collapse. On the insurance front, sinkholes have become a major cost driver. From 2006‑2010, Florida saw rising sinkhole claims, with over 24,000 total claims during that period, costing insurers well over US$1.4 billion in indemnity and related expenses.

21. Pro - Natural Wonder

Florida is ecologically rich, with a dazzling variety of habitats, including freshwater marshes, mangrove forests, sawgrass prairies, coastal hammocks, cypress swamps, pinelands, and estuarine ecosystems. One of the crown jewels is Everglades National Park, which contains the largest continuous stand of mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere.

Beyond the Everglades, there are many other natural gems. The Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park offers wide open prairies and rare bird species, while Rainbow Springs State Park has first‑magnitude springs with crystal clear water and multiple natural communities (wetlands, uplands, forests) for hiking and wildlife viewing.

22. Con - Tourist Crowds

With 130-143 million tourists each year, that means more traffic, more lines, and more demand for everything from parking spaces to restaurant tables, especially in hotspots like Orlando, Miami, the Keys, and coastal cities during winter or spring break. For residents, this often means inflated prices for lodging, dining out, and even basic services during high‑visitor periods.

23. Pro - Fresh Food

Florida’s warm, tropical climate means fresh produce is abundant nearly year‑round. Many fruit and vegetable crops thrive outside peak weeks, such as avocados, bananas, guava, papaya, citrus, and more. This means fresh, local markets are full much of the year, making seasonal eating easier for people who care about high‑quality food and shorter supply chains.

Is Florida a Good Place to Live?

Yes, Florida can be a great place to live if your priorities include warm weather year‑round, coastal access, and a lower tax burden.

If you want access to popular cities like Miami or Fort Lauderdale, laid‑back beach towns like Naples or the Key West, or more affordable living in places like Jacksonville or Gainesville, Florida has variety. Just be ready for trade‑offs: summer heat and humidity, hurricane season, insurance costs in flood zones, and sometimes stretched infrastructure. If your budget is reasonable and you value sunshine, outdoor life, and no state income tax, Florida could very well be right for you.

What’s It Like Living in Florida?

Florida isn’t just palm trees and piña coladas. It’s a sprawling, sun-drenched state where lifestyle varies wildly depending on where you land. Whether you’re drawn to high-rise condos near the beach, quiet inland suburbs, or funky neighborhoods with cultural flair, Florida offers a bit of everything.

Each city brings its own vibe:

• Miami brings high energy and international flavor, with thriving nightlife, diverse neighborhoods, and a stronghold on art, fashion, and finance.
• Tampa offers a balance of family-friendly suburbs, growing tech and healthcare sectors, and easy access to Gulf Coast beaches.
• Orlando isn’t just theme parks. It's becoming a hotspot for young professionals, with a fast-growing downtown and booming hospitality and simulation industries.
• Jacksonville blends affordability with Atlantic coast charm, offering a quieter but still connected lifestyle.
• Tallahassee is more than just the state capital. It’s a college town with historic charm and a surprising arts scene.
• Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach offer coastal elegance, boating culture, and proximity to Miami without the same hustle.
• Pensacola, Ocala, and Cape Coral give you slower-paced living, budget-friendly housing, and access to Florida’s natural side.

You’ll need to love sunshine, tolerate humidity, and probably own a car, but Florida’s coastal access, tropical energy, and lively communities make it a uniquely compelling place to call home.

What’s the Culture Like in Florida?

Florida culture is sunwashed and celebratory, equal parts Cuban coffee, beach bonfires, drag shows, Everglades mystery, and Latin beats. It’s warm, spirited, and culturally expansive, from salsa dancers to surfboards, and food vendors to historic theatres.

You’ve got Miami’s Calle Ocho lighting up Little Havana at Carnaval Miami, which is ten days of Latin music, filling the streets with color and food that traces its roots to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and beyond. Jacksonville’s Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens offers nearly 5,000 works spanning centuries, while MOCA Jacksonville drives contemporary art downtown.

Food is a core part of the story as well, with Miami’s Haitian trucks, Colombian eateries, fresh seafood, and farm stands full of mangoes, stone crabs, and citrus. Festivals like South Beach Wine & Food Festival bring chef‑celebrity power to the table.

Performance spaces and historic venues, such as the Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, Teatro in Miami, and theaters in the Art Deco districts, host everything from Broadway touring shows to local ballet to vintage movie nights. Museums, galleries, street art, and murals scatter across cities: find them in Wynwood, in Miami Beach, in Jacksonville’s LaVilla district. The art, music, performances, and street culture feel alive and accessible here.

What’s the Cost of Living in Florida?

Florida’s cost of living is slightly above the U.S. average. According to BestPlaces, the state gets a cost-of-living score of 103.1, meaning overall expenses are about 3.1% higher than the national norm.

Housing is one of the biggest drivers: housing costs (buying or renting) are about 4% higher than the U.S. average. Meanwhile utilities in many Florida cities are somewhat lower or close to the national average, around 2–3% below in some places like Tallahassee, though higher in coastal or high‑demand regions.

Here’s a look at the breakdown:

How Is the Job Market in Florida?

Florida’s job market is holding strong. As of July 2025, the unemployment rate in Florida was 3.7%, notably below the U.S. average, and job growth has been consistent for 57 of the last 63 months.

Over the past year, Florida added about 134,100 nonfarm jobs, driven by gains in finance, leisure & hospitality, and government sectors, especially in fast‑growing metro areas like South Florida.

In the tri‑county South Florida area (Miami‑Dade, Broward, Palm Beach), finance and business services are among the highest‑paying and fastest‑expanding segments.

Tourism remains a heavyweight in the economy: in Central Florida alone, the tourism and hospitality industries supported over 468,000 jobs in 2024, accounting for nearly 42% of jobs in Orange County, an indication of strong demand and opportunity.

How Safe Is Florida?

Florida gets a favorable safety rating when you look at state‑wide averages: on CrimeGrade.org, the state’s violent crime rate earns an A‑ grade, meaning Florida is safer than about 84% of states in that metric. Property crime also ranks well, placing Florida in the 92nd percentile for property crime safety, i.e. safer than 92% of states.

That said, safety varies a lot depending on the city, neighborhood, and even zip code. For instance, the Miami area has a violent crime rate of about 2.933 per 1,000 residents/year and earns a C+ grade—right around the U.S. average. Meanwhile, Miami‑Dade County overall gets a B grade for violent crime, ranking in the 68th percentile for safety among U.S. counties.

Some neighborhoods are safer than others by wide margins: zip codes like 32065 (around Nassau/Clay County area) have violent crime rates of 1.632 per 1,000, placing them in the 89th percentile for safety, so they’re much safer than many urban areas. On the flip side, places like Downtown Miami show higher risk: its violent crime rate is about 3.467 per 1,000, though parts of Downtown are safer than others.

What Are Schools Like in Florida?

Florida’s K‑12 school quality varies quite a bit. Some districts, especially around metros, perform top‑tier, while others face major challenges in resources and outcomes, while rural counties and some lower‑income districts often report lower school funding, fewer advanced courses, higher student‑to‑teacher ratios, and limited extracurricular or magnet options.

Is Florida a Good Place to Raise a Family?

Florida has a lot of places that consistently rank high for families, for safety, schools, amenities, and quality of life. Below are some of the top areas worth knowing, along with what makes them special.

Top Family-Friendly Cities & Neighborhoods in Florida

• St. Johns County - (Nocatee area, Jacksonville region) — Frequently ranked by Niche as one of the best counties in Florida for families, thanks to excellent public schools, low crime rates, and family‑centered amenities.
• Westchase - (Tampa suburb) — A suburb with good schools, safe neighborhoods, and plenty of green space, recreation, and family‑friendly services. Shows up in Niche’s top‑ranked neighborhoods for families.
• FishHawk Ranch (near Tampa) — Known for its A+ ratings for public schools, walkability, parks, and homes mostly owned versus rented; parents say it feels stable and safe.
• Oviedo, Florida — Frequently cited as among the top small towns for families due to its strong public schools, lower crime rates, and suburban feel while still being within commuting distance of Orlando.
• Heathrow, Florida — Recognized for excellent schools, quiet residential neighborhoods, and good quality of life for families. It appears in multiple “best places to raise a family” lists for Florida.

What Are Some Popular Places to Live in Florida?

Here’s how some frequently mentioned Florida cities stack up in average rents (one‑bedroom and two‑bedroom).

Is Living in Florida Right for You?

If you’re imagining mornings at the Atlantic, weekends on Key Largo, or a family home in suburbs like Oviedo or Westchase near Tampa, Florida delivers that lifestyle. Just be ready to adapt to summer heat, hurricane season, flood zones, and heavier insurance in risk areas.

Curious whether Florida fits your priorities like budget, commute, and weather? Check out our Renter Life guides to compare cities, or take the Apartment List quiz to find the places that match you best.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Florida

What are the downsides of living in Florida?

Florida comes with its share of challenges. Summers bring intense heat and humidity that push the heat index past comfortable levels. Tropical storms, hurricanes, flooding, and coastal erosion are real risks for many residents. Insurance costs, especially for home, auto, and flood coverage, are higher in many coastal or high‑risk areas. Access to affordable, high‑quality health care can be uneven, especially for those without insurance or living in rural parts.

Why are people moving to Florida?

Many are drawn by Florida’s warm climate year‑round, spectacular beaches, and no state income tax. It’s appealing for retirees seeking sunshine, for people escaping northern winters, and for those drawn to the tourism, trade, and international trade sectors.

What are the biggest risks of living in Florida?

Environmental hazards top the list: hurricane season (June through November), flooding risk, and coastal storm surges are serious concerns. Heat, humidity, and occasional water damage or mold issues follow. Infrastructure and insurance costs are often strained by these risks. Also, with ~13.9% of Florida residents under 65 uninsured, health coverage gaps can be more than just inconvenient—they can become costly and risky for pre‑existing conditions.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Florida?

It depends heavily on your city, household size, and lifestyle. A single adult might need around $48,700/year (before taxes) to cover basics comfortably in many Florida metros, according to MIT Living Wage