Best places to live in Florida
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Florida’s best places to live depend on your priorities. Tampa Bay suits working professionals, Jacksonville offers affordability, Sarasota and St. Petersburg appeal to retirees and remote workers, while Miami and Fort Lauderdale provide strong finance and international business opportunities. Compare jobs, housing costs, lifestyle, insurance, and commute times before choosing.
So, you have decided to move and you are looking for the best places to live in Florida? Then you have come to the perfect place – our team has made a guide just for you. A good idea would be to check all options when it comes to this. Florida is a big state and there are plenty of places to choose from. You can either go with some really big ones like Miami or Orlando, or you can find a smaller place to settle. In any case, this depends entirely to you! In our guide, we will talk about the moving process, as well as some of the most popular places in Florida. However, we will not make this introduction any longer than it should. Thus, enjoy what we have to say about this one.
What’s the best place to live in Florida right now?
There’s no single “best” city — it depends on priorities. For overall balance of job market, cost of living, and lifestyle, Tampa Bay ranks highest among working professionals; Jacksonville offers the most affordable major-metro entry point; Sarasota and St. Petersburg draw retirees and remote workers for their walkable downtowns and cultural scenes; and Parkland currently ranks Florida’s #1 city nationally by U.S. News, driven by a median household income over $220,000 and low unemployment.
How to check for the best places to live in Florida and how to move there?
You cannot decide your move “just like that”. It takes some time to research the place you would like to move to. That way, when you are packing for your Clearwater Beach move, you will know where you are heading without any doubts and second thoughts, in case you opt for that one. So, in any case, before you decide on where decide how to move. You have some options:
- Do the move on your own. This is something most people would not do. Instead, they would hire a moving company like Movers Pinellas County or someone else. However, you can do your move on your own as well – but you need to know-how. It will take you longer to pack, transport, load and unload, but it will be worth it in the end. You need to make sure to make a really good plan and to stick with it. Nothing can be done without that. Also, make sure to create the perfect moving checklist for your move. That way, you will have everything planned for you in advance.
- Hire a moving company. This is what most people would do. They would check the best long-distance movers Florida can offer and “stick” with them. Professional moving companies are experts in the field of moving and relocation. Moreover, they can also make sure that your relocation goes according to plan. This is the main reason why most people would go with a moving company, actually. In any case, your professional movers will take you anywhere in Florida. All you need to do is to let them know where.
Some things to keep in mind
Relocating is not hard, but it is not easy as well. So, the best idea would be to know when is the best time to move to Florida. Florida is an amazing state with a lot of opportunities. No matter where you relocate, you will love it – we are certain of that. In any case, you can check the places on the Internet and you can see if you want to live in some of them. Most of Florida is really amazing – thus, we are certain that you will not make a moving mistake no matter where you choose to go to.
Yet another thing you should think about is additional storage space. This is especially true if you are moving to Florida from a country far away. In some cases, you will see that you cannot “fit” all your belongings into your apartment comfortably. Moreover, some items might take a bit longer to arrive and you could use some storage space. Thus, make sure to find the best storage space Florida offers. It will help a lot for your relocation and it will help a lot with your stress as well. After all, not having to worry about a lot of things can make it easier for you, right?
What the best places to live in Florida actually look like in 2026
Florida attracted over 300,000 net new residents in recent years, and the competition among cities for that talent is real. U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 rankings put Parkland at #1 among Florida cities, with a median household income of $223,200 and an unemployment rate of just 2.53% — strong enough to place it 14th nationally. But “best” depends heavily on what you’re optimizing for:
- Best for working professionals: Tampa Bay. It balances job market depth across healthcare, finance, and a growing tech sector with Gulf Coast access and a cost of living that doesn’t require a six-figure salary to manage comfortably.
- Best for affordability: Jacksonville. Median home prices around $310,000 make it Florida’s most affordable major metro, backed by a diversifying economy in banking, logistics, and a substantial military presence at Naval Station Mayport.
- Best for retirees and remote workers: Sarasota and St. Petersburg. Sarasota offers a strong performing arts scene anchored by the Ringling Museum and Sarasota Memorial Health Care System; St. Petersburg has built one of Florida’s most walkable downtown cores, with a craft brewery scene and the Salvador Dali Museum.
- Best for international flavor and finance: Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Both serve professionals in finance, international trade, and real estate, with correspondingly higher costs of living.
Rounding out the list: more cities worth considering
| City | Best known for | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Parkland | Highest income and lowest unemployment in Florida | Established professionals and families |
| Tampa Bay | Strong job market and Gulf Coast access | Working professionals |
| Jacksonville | Affordability and a diversified economy | First-time buyers and budget-conscious movers |
| Sarasota | Arts, healthcare, and walkability | Retirees and remote workers |
| St. Petersburg | Craft beer, museums, and a walkable core | Young professionals and retirees |
| Fort Lauderdale | Finance and international trade | Professionals in finance and trade |
What are the best places to live in Florida?
There are many options to choose from. Thus, check out some tips to beat the Florida heat – these places are the “hottest” on the list!
- Miami. This is one of the most know cities in Florida. In any case, Miami will never leave you speechless! This city is brimming with life during any part of the year. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter – you will always enjoy Miami, but we must admit that Summers in Miami are especially attractive. Walk around the famous Miami Beach and enjoy the best things Florida can offer!
- Orlando. This is another of our “top picks” when it comes to the best Florida cities. Orlando is simply amazing. It is a perfect combination of rustic and modern. Moreover, you can find a lot of greenery around the city as well, due to its many parks. Speaking of parks, did you know that one of the largest Disney World theme parks is located in Orlando! Definitely worth visiting, if not living in this amazing city!
- Jacksonville. This city is also one of the most popular Florida cities. Jacksonville is generally much cheaper than Miami or Orlando. Moreover, you can still find anything you like in there, probably. Thus, if you are interested in an once-in-a-lifetime experience, Jacksonville is a perfect city for you!
Additional information
No matter where you relocate to, Florida is an amazing place. However, you still need to think about your relocation. Make sure you plan everything on time and make sure you know what you are letting yourself into in terms of relocation. Many people have underestimated the packing process and they ended up messing their move. Do not make the same mistake and do not hesitate to call a moving company for help if you need it. Remember, it is never a bad option to call professionals if you need their help to relocate.
Best places to live in Florida
The cities we have mentioned are some of the best places to live in Florida. However, you can find many more! There are so much amazing places Florida offers that you will fall in love as soon as you see them! In any case, we wish you all the best with this one! Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is currently the #1 ranked city to live in Florida?
According to U.S. News & World Report's 2026-2027 rankings, Parkland ranks #1 among Florida cities, driven by a median household income of $223,200 and an unemployment rate of just 2.53% — strong enough to place it 14th nationally overall.
What is the most affordable major city in Florida?
Jacksonville offers the most affordable major-metro entry point, with median home prices around $310,000, supported by a diversified economy spanning banking, logistics, and military employment.
Which Florida city is best for remote workers?
Sarasota and St. Petersburg both rank highly for remote workers, thanks to walkable downtowns, strong cultural amenities, and a growing base of coworking spaces and cafes suited to hybrid and fully remote schedules.
Is Miami still the best choice for young professionals in Florida?
Miami remains strong for finance, international trade, and real estate careers, but Tampa Bay has emerged as a genuine competitor for professionals seeking similar job depth at a somewhat lower cost of living.
How many net new residents does Florida gain each year?
Florida has attracted over 300,000 net new residents in recent years, a pace that continues to drive competition for housing and jobs across the state's most popular metro areas.
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