Rank Last Year: 12
Pros and Cons of Living in Pensacola:
+ Great school system
+ Strong job market
+ Affordable housing
– Some areas of crime
Closest Beach: Pensacola Beach, 15 minute drive
Location: Western Florida Panhandle – Check on Google Maps
Pensacola remains steady on our list as #12 of the best cities to live in Florida. It is best known for its superb school districts and housing costs that are 27% lower than the national average.
Zillow estimates that the average price for a house in Pensacola is a very reasonable $150,000 to $170,000.
11. Dunedin
Rank Last Year: 13
Pros and Cons of Living in Dunedin:
+ Affordability
+ Right on the beach
– Limited job market
– Long drives to major centers
Closest Beach: Honeymoon Island State Park, 10 minute drive
Location: West Central Florida – Check on Google Maps
Dunedin is a cute beach town on the western coast of Florida near Tampa. It offers residents a relaxed lifestyle while still providing many opportunities for entertainment. There is also the historic Dunedin downtown district that is packed with shops, restaurants, and bars.
The best part is the cost of housing – Dunedin’s home prices are on average 34% less than the average in the U.S.
10. Miami
Rank Last Year: 15
Pros and Cons of Living in Miami:
+ The center for nightlife and culture
+ Great beaches
– Expensive
– Extreme weather
Closest Beach: Miami Beach, 20 minute drive
Location: South Florida – Check on Google Maps
No list of Florida would be complete without Miami. It rises 5 spots on our list this year due to its growing job market and the ever-increasing amount of things to do for people of all ages.
However, Miami’s cost of living is still relatively high compared to other cities in Florida and it can get unbearably hot and humid in the deep south of Florida.
9. Port St. Lucie
Rank Last Year: 10
Pros and Cons of Living in Port St. Lucie:
+ Affordability
+ Quick access to the beach
– Limited job market
– Relatively isolated
Closest Beach: Jensen Beach Park, 25 minute drive
Location: Eastern Coast Florida – Check on Google Maps
Port St. Lucie is a small beach city that offers a welcoming mix of lifelong locals and friendly transplants. It offers a slow, relaxed lifestyle with the opportunity to go downtown and enjoy a nice meal or go straight to the beach to bask in the sun on its tranquil waterfront.
The city also features tons of amenities that you won’t find in many other places, including a vibrant arts and culture scene with numerous theaters and art galleries along with being the spring training home for the New York Mets.
Port St. Lucie even took the top spot in Bankrate’s list of the best cities in Florida.
8. Fort Myers
Rank Last Year: 14
Pros and Cons:
+ Affordability
+ Revitalized downtown
+ Tons of beach options
– Tourists
Closest Beach: Fort Myers Beach, 30 minute drive
Location: Southwestern Florida – Check on Google Maps
Fort Myers jumped up 6 spots this year, which was the 2nd biggest year-to-year increase. This improvement can be linked to its strong efforts to redevelop its historic downtown, which is now buzzing with shops and restaurants for all to enjoy.
Fort Myers is also located near many beaches and islands, making a life of leisure possible year round and making it one of the fastest growing cities in Florida.
Retirees take note – Fort Myers was named the 2nd best city to retire in all of America.
7. Orlando
Rank Last Year:6
Pros and Cons of Living in Orlando:
+ Booming job market
+ Tons of outdoor activities
– Some areas of crime
– Tourists for theme parks
Closest Beach: Cocoa Beach, 50 minute drive
Location: Central Florida – Check on Google Maps
Right in the heart of Florida is Orlando, where the theme park capital of the world also continues to be a great place to also live. With a wide range of housing options, from exclusive neighborhoods to affordable areas, Orlando is a fine choice for all.
The job growth in Orlando has continued to impress, as they have now led the nation in growth 4 years in a row through 2019.
6. Coral Gables
Rank Last Year: 8
Pros and Cons of Living in Coral Gables:
+ Great for families
+ Foodie paradise
+ Close to Miami
– Expensive
Closest Beach: Miami Beach, 30 minute drive
Location: South Florida – Check on Google Maps
Coral Gables is an upscale suburb of Miami and offers a great standard of living, especially for families. It is one of the safest neighborhoods in Miami, which is only 20 minutes away, and provides excellent schooling options as well.
However, it is not exactly the most affordable place on this list. Cost of living in Coral Gables is about 12% higher than the national average, with housing being 25% more expensive.
5. Melbourne
Rank Last Year: 4
Pros and Cons of Living in Melbourne, Florida:
+ Limitless outdoor activities
+ Strong school system
+ Low cost of living
– Small downtown area
– Some areas of crime
Closest Beach: Melbourne Beach, 5 minute drive
Location: Eastern Coast Florida – Check on Google Maps
Melbourne continues to score well as a top city to live in the Sunshine State. There are plenty of parks and beaches for all to enjoy. Its low cost of housing and great school system is also the perfect combination for people starting a family.
Look out for West Melbourne especially as it is a great up and coming place to live in the area as well.
4. Naples
Rank Last Year: 2
Pros and Cons of Living in Naples, Florida:
+ Great school districts
+ Low crime
+ World-class beaches and golf courses
– Expensive
Closest Beach: Naples Beach, 0 minute drive
Location: Southwestern Florida – Check on Google Maps
Naples remains a mainstay near the top of our list for 2024. It’s one of the most family-friendly cities on our list and was even named #1 in Wallethub’s best cities for families based on education, health, and safety.
Naples also offers access to some of the world’s best beaches and golf courses, although these amenities come at a price – the average home price is north of $350,000.
3. Sarasota
Rank Last Year: 1
Pros and Cons of Living in Sarasota:
+ Small town feel with big city amenities
+ Lively arts and culture scene
+ Beautiful beaches
– Relatively high housing costs
– Traffic during tourist season
Closest Beach: Lido Key Beach, 15 minute drive
Location: Western Central Florida – Check on Google Maps
Sarasota is a beautiful city full of culture and life that remains among the best places to live in Florida. It is packed with things to do and offers a great lifestyle for everyone.
It is not rare to find a mix of college students, retirees, young professionals, and families exploring its vast performing arts and theater scene wherever you go around town.
Of course, Sarasota is also home to some of the best beaches on the planet that sit right on the warm shores of the Gulf Coast.
2. Tampa – St. Petersburg
Rank Last Year: 9
Pros and Cons:
+ Affordability
+ Growing job market
+ Strong education system
– Traffic
Closest Beach: St Pete Beach, 20-40 minute drive
Location: Western Central Florida – Check on Google Maps
The Tampa-St. Petersburg metro area has skyrocketed up 7 places on our list and is now #2 of the best places to live in all of Florida for 2024. Others are definitely taking notice, as Tampa was named the 9th fastest growing large city in the U.S. in 2020.
This booming expansion has also brought more things to do in the bustling downtowns as well as job opportunities. Jobs are especially a hot topic, as Tampa has earned a reputation of being Florida’s unofficial tech hub, making for exciting years to come.
Tampa and St. Petersburg also offers affordable housing for all types of residents and provides a nice mix of urban downtown and suburban options.
1. St. Augustine
Rank Last Year: 3
Pros and Cons of Living in St. Augustine:
+ Dynamic cultural scene
+ Old world charm
+ Beautiful beaches
– Expensive
– Tourists
Closest Beach: Vilano Beach, 7 minute drive
Location: Northeastern Florida – Check on Google Maps
St. Augustine offers a thriving arts and culture scene within its beautiful, historic 144 block historic district. It is also a great place for families and retirees alike, making St. Augustine the best place to live in Florida for 2024.
It was ranked the #5 out of 205 top beach towns across America by Wallethub and continues to expand its melting pot of culture and heritage, especially in the last few years.
