Florida continues to attract people from all walks of life. With our diverse landscape and cultural vibrancy, we’ve become a top choice for those seeking a place to call home. Knowing the top Florida cities is important for people moving here.
And people are on the move! A new poll found that one in four people have moved in the last five years. The most popular destination? Florida. And the migration is not slowing down.
So the people at StudyFinds have compiled a list. They read reviews from experts and found what they have decided are the best places to live in Florida.
What do you think?
1. Melbourne
At the top of the list is Florida is Melbourne. “Melbourne is part of the Florida ‘Space Coast’ that many tourists visit for year-round rocket launches and beach vacations. Full-time residents can find employment opportunities in aerospace and manufacturing offering comfortable salaries. The Palm Bay-Melbourne metro area is conveniently located on the Atlantic seaboard with easy beach access.
Melbourne’s sun-kissed beaches and a chill vibe are a getaway feel. “With a front-row view of the Atlantic Ocean, Melbourne is part of Florida’s Space Coast thanks to its proximity to Kennedy Space Center (KSC). This is where every crewed space flight by NASA has been launched. It’s also where Elon Musk’s SpaceX has been launching astronauts (and his Tesla) into space. Melbourne is also close to Port Canaveral, one of the busiest cruise and shipping hubs in the world. Beyond the cool space and seacraft stuff, Melbourne’s beach-based community offers all kinds of fun activities for residents—a trendy downtown area, thriving art and festival scenes, and a variety of sports for both in and out of the water,” writes Ramsey Solutions.
2. Miami
The runner up for best places in Florida is Miami. “Arguably the most vibrant city in the Sunshine State, Miami packs a punch, and the typical home value in this coastal metropolis is $474,701. Of course, there are many different neighborhoods in this large, bustling city, with major price differences between South Beach and inland communities, for example. Still, as a global hub of finance, culture, arts, and international trade, Miami offers its residents a unique blend of business opportunities, Florida-Cuban culture, sizzling nightlife, fascinating history, and seaside living. If you want big-city living with a tropical twist, Miami is your best bet. It can be a pricey place to live, but the unemployment rate here is 1.7%, much lower than the national average, and while the per capita personal income is $55,477 in the U.S., you can expect to make more in Miami, at $64,849, which can balance out the higher costs of living,” says Travel and Leisure.
It is a place where new settlers in Florida can plan to buy a new house. “Miami is arguably the most vibrant Florida city with amazing beaches, colorful buildings, an electrifying nightlife along with a prominent presence of Caribbean and Latin American cultures. The city is also famous for its art and fashion exhibitions. Since Miami is Florida’s largest metro area with more than 6 million residents, there are many job opportunities. Aviation, finance, international trade, health care and tourism are the primary employment sectors. Not everyone will enjoy living in the Miami metro area as it’s expensive, has a relatively high crime rate and a tropical monsoon climate. But Florida first-time homebuyer programs in Broward and Miami-Dade counties can help newcomers handle the high cost of housing,” shares Forbes.
3. Orlando
Number three on the list of best places to live in Florida is Orlando. “Orlando, one of the most popular cities in Florida, has a typical home value of $402,064 and an unemployment rate of 2.8%. As one of the top tourist destinations in the state — Orlando is home to more than a dozen theme parks and various other attractions — this city has no shortage of things to do. There’s also a top-tier university drawing thousands of students each year, so the city is poised to continue growing,” shares Travel and Leisure.
Orlando offers exciting parks and places for outdoor adventures. “When people think of Florida, chances are they think first of Orlando (well, maybe second after the alligators). After all, it’s one of the top family vacation destinations in not just the United States, but the world! It’s the home of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort—Mickey Mouse and Hogwarts. Not to mention SeaWorld Orlando and Legoland Florida Resort. But there are also plenty of activities to enjoy in the Orlando area besides just the theme parks. Because of its multicultural base, the city boasts lots of cultural festivals and a variety of restaurants that’ll be sure to satisfy any hankering you have. And because of its central location in the state, you can get to so many places other places in Florida in a matter of hours—including the beach,” writes Ramsey Solutions.
Related: Florida Top State for Homebuyers to Move to Amid High Rates, Prices
4. Tampa
Number three on the list of best places to live in Florida is Tampa. Tampa offers a perfect blend of city and beach. “Located on the scenic Tampa Bay along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa is a hub for business, cultural institutions, and outdoor activities, with some of the state’s top restaurants and a high standard of living. Plus, the popular Busch Gardens amusement park is just as fun as any Orlando theme park, with no long drive required. You can head to Tampa’s historic Ybor City neighborhood, developed by Cuban and Spanish cigar factory workers in the early 1900s, for dining and nightlife unlike anything else you’ll find in the Sunshine State. One of the most desirable locations to live in Florida, Tampa’s typical home value is $391,314,” writes Travel and Leisure.
“With a population of 387,050, Tampa is known to be the best place to live in Florida. It is a great place to live for young adults and families, offering something for everyone, with pristine beaches, major sports teams, history museums, and impressive public transportation options. Plus, Tampa is close to other major cities like Orlando and Miami, making it a great place to live if you want to be close to the action,” says Jagran Josh.
5. Cape Coral
Coming in at number five is Florida is Cape Coral. “Cape Coral is a small city near Fort Myers and the Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s southwest coast. Its population of about 204,500 enjoys living near Gulf Coast beaches, golf courses, and other attractions, including 400 miles of canals (and thus ample opportunities for boating, fishing, and water sports). Here, the typical home value is $431,137, up 27.7% from 2021 to 2022. Plus, you’ll share your hometown with some of Florida’s most charming wildlife, like manatees and birds. Life is quieter and slower in Cape Coral, and for some, that’s exactly the goal,” says Travel and Leisure.
It is a place for foodies who love fresh seafood and diverse culinary delights. “Cape Coral—part of the Fort Myers metro area—is popular as it’s situated on the Gulf and has a low crime rate. Locals enjoy exploring the freshwater lakes and canals, and lounging on a sandy saltwater beach. Biotech, marine and medical are target industries for Cape Coral. Several corporations also operate call centers and back-office operations from the region,” writes Forbes.
6. Jacksonville
Number six is Jacksonville. “It is the largest city in the state by land mass, but it has a smaller population than Miami or Tampa. This means that you can enjoy big city conveniences and live on the Atlantic Ocean, with relatively affordable living costs. Jacksonville is a major hub for banking, healthcare, and transportation. The city is also home to one of the nation’s three Mayo Clinics and offers access to many of Florida’s best banks,” writes Jagran Josh.
Jacksonville is a colorful blend of street art and chic galleries. “Jacksonville has a typical home value of $378,914 — lower than the statewide number, but a bit higher than the national value. Add to those the abundant employment opportunities (the unemployment rate in Jacksonville is 2.5%), 22 miles of beaches, well-connected highways, 270 days of sunshine per year, a top public school district in Florida, and tons of things to do, and you’ll see why so many families flock to this city. Jacksonville is a city that has it all, including plenty of space to welcome newcomers,” says Travel and Leisure.
7. Gainesville
Finally, number seven on the list of the best places to live in Florida is Gainesville. “This is one of the best places to live in Florida because it offers its residents a mixture of urban and suburban life in a quiet and welcoming atmosphere with many friendly faces. The city is home to the University of Florida and also exudes a southern charm, as seen through its natural array of large oak and palm trees, limestone rock, and flowing spring waters. Gainesville is an attractive city full of art, culture, and business opportunities. On the other hand, there are a lot of employment opportunities awaiting you, and out of all of the workforce industries, education services and healthcare are thriving more in this city. The city’s cost of living is significantly lower than the average, and residents enjoy lots of outdoor recreation sites and healthcare facilities,” says Moving Waldo.
“Speaking of college towns, Gainesville is a city practically built around the University of Florida. In fact, the university is the biggest employer in the city—almost 12% of the city’s total workforce!11 And because of the university, Gainesville is known as the birthplace of Gatorade. But there’s more to Gainesville than Gator football and sports drinks. Even though Gainesville isn’t near any beaches, you’ll find plenty of outdoor opportunities in the city’s parks, botanical gardens and nature preserves—which includes the famous Satan’s Sinkhole. Gainesville’s arts community boasts everything from theater and public murals to museums like the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention,” writes Ramsey Solutions.
