MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 06: A ‘For Rent’ sign in front of a building on December 06, 2022 in Miami Beach, Florida. Reports indicate that apartment rents across the country dropped in November by the most in at least five years. National index of rents fell by 1%, the third straight month-over-month decline. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Inflation has crunched everyone's budget. But the dream of moving to Florida is as strong as ever. Based on the latest census, cities in Florida are seeing both young and old flocking to the sunshine state. According to the latest report by the U.S. Census Bureau, from July 1, 2021, to July 1, 2022 Florida’s population increased by 1.9 percent. In the census, Florida is the third most populous state in the union and saw an increase of 416,754 people over that one year span. That's a lot of people coming to our state, and that's what pushed up rents. But they are coming down a little.
Vacancy rates in some Florida cities are creeping up to near 5%, which puts pressure on what landlords can charge. And that's helping some.
GOBankingRates "analyzed data from Sperling’s Best and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the average cost for utilities, healthcare, groceries and one-bedroom rents in cities throughout Florida. Cities were then ranked based on their total costs in these four categories, the percent of the population that was 65 and older and the cities’ livability scores, as determined by AreaVibes." In the data they excluded cities with low livability scores (ie high crime).
The data was originally compiled for seniors looking to retire, but there's a strong wave of work-from-home families moving here too. So let's make this a little more open, but remember for the monthly expenditures - this is for one-bedroom rentals. And bare bones spending. I'm in Estero and I couldn't imagine living on less than $5K a month. But can you live on just $3,000 a month without selling a kidney? You can.
So if you're looking at cities in Florida for retirement, or looking for a place to move to work from home, here's the list.
And because things live forever on the internet, the list was compiled on December 18th, 2022. Life moves fast. These lists can change quickly. Some of these places have already passed the 3K/month threshold.
And one other thing to remember if you're moving to Florida. We drive very fast on the interstate.
20. Deerfield Beach
- Monthly expenditures: $2,648
19. Fort Myers
- Monthly expenditures: $2,592
The hurricane wrecked a lot of housing so it may be hard to find exactly what you're looking for.
18. Coconut Creek
- Monthly expenditures: $3,242
17. Boca Raton
- Monthly expenditures: $3,321
Above the 3K threshold because a one-bedroom is going to be more than 2K a month.
16. Bradenton
- Monthly expenditures: $2,785
15. Clearwater
- Monthly expenditures: $2,578
14. Panama City Beach
- Monthly expenditures: $2,330
13. Sarasota
- Monthly expenditures: $2,648
12. Pembroke Pines
- Monthly expenditures: $2,967
11. Maitland
- Monthly expenditures: $2,808
10. Melbourne
- Monthly expenditures: $2,383
My brother lives here. Housing prices were low enough for him to afford a custom golf cart to drive the kid to school. Yes, they bring their kid to school on a golf cart. A lifted golf cart.
9. Casselberry
- Monthly expenditures: $2,642
8. Sunrise
- Monthly expenditures: $2,759
7. Altamonte Springs
- Monthly expenditures: $2,545
6. Lake Mary
- Monthly expenditures: $3,042
5. Palm Bay
- Monthly expenditures: $2,369
4. Winter Garden
- Monthly expenditures: $2,339
3. Lakeland
- Monthly expenditures: $2,401
My uncle lives here. They love it.
2. Largo
- Monthly expenditures: $2,637
1. Port Orange
- Monthly expenditures: $2,497
Almost 25% of the residents are 65+ but that also means that 75% aren't. Port Orange is about a 6 mile drive to Daytona Beach.
