10 Best Places To Live In Florida: Top Picks of 2024

Florida is the state of beaches! And when it comes to pointing out the best places to live in Florida, it ain’t a tough nut to crack. Florida is the most populous southern state in the US after Texas. It holds a very powerful economy, offers some top-rated clearwater beaches, does not impose a state income tax, and many other exciting things. Moving to a high-end place like Florida for educational or career-centric purposes might yield good benefits. With that being said, let’s explore the best places to live in Florida.

10 Top Places To Live In Florida

Florida is a dream destination where beautiful nature-centric places offer a therapeutic journey. With a holistic approach to running an economy, the state is the fourth largest economy in the US, with a $1.6 trillion gross domestic product (GDP). Keeping that fact in mind, let’s set ourselves on a beachy journey to the best places to live in Florida.

1. Sarasota

Population: 824,160
Cost of Living: $1,800-$2,350
Nearby Universities: University of South Florida Sarasota, Ringling College of Art and Design
Great For: Retirees, Artists and Families
Tourist Attractions: Lido Key Beach, Siesta Key Beach, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Ca' d'Zan

Sarasota is a coastal city with an intriguing art scene and a huge food culture. Its charm invites people. A number of exotic rooftop bars, the opera house, and the popular beach of Siesta Key make the region pretty welcoming and hype. The place often experiences sunny days with a high humidity rate, and snowfall is extremely unlikely. Sarasota is also home to a large retiree population, but it is definitely one of the best places to live in Florida for young professionals and families.

2. Naples

Population: 372,797
Cost of Living: 2,067.9$- 3,836$
Nearby Universities: Keiser University Naples 
Great For: Retirees and Families
Tourist Attractions: Naples Pier, Lowdermilk Park, Clam Pass Park

The larger Naples and Marco Island area has excellent beaches, expansive golf courses, and good eating and shopping spots. As an eminent member of the best places to live in Florida list, it has long been regarded as a favourite retirement destination for the wealthy, powerful, and cold-phobic. It is regarded as one of the best cities to live in Florida. Meanwhile, this best area in Florida to live is closer to the region's rural and cattle pasture; seasonal labourers harvest tomatoes in the fields. There is no state income tax in Florida. Additionally, just as in other parts of the state, residents of Naples, Marco Island, and Immokalee are eligible for a homestead exemption.

3. Tampa

Population: 398,173
Cost of Living: $3,379-$4,000
Nearby Universities: The University of Tampa, University of South Florida, Hillsborough Community College
Great For: Students, Professionals, Artists, Families
Tourist Attractions: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Theatre

The three cities encompassing Tampa Bay - St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Clearwater, make up the metro area, each with its unique character. It was formerly named "the Cigar Capital of the World." Tampa is home to several educational establishments, including one of the biggest in the state, the University of South Florida. As one of the best places to live in Florida, the place itself has developed into a popular tourist destination for the arts and is home to the world-famous Dali Museum. If you are in search of some of the best colleges in Florida, this is your sign to do so. 

4. Orlando

Population: 2,509,831 
Cost of Living: $3,628 -$4,230 
Nearby Universities: University of Central Florida, Keiser University, Florida Christian University
Great For: Students, Professionals, Families, Travellers
Tourist Attractions: Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Florida

Orlando's downtown serves as both the administrative hub and a hotspot for dining places, entertainment outlets, and game festivities. Then there is the Orlando that visitors are familiar with: the Orlando that is home to some of the best theme parks in the world and welcomes millions of visitors annually. In addition to housing the Orlando Magic basketball club and the Orlando Solar Bears hockey team, the Amway Centre stages concerts all year round. It is one of those places in Florida to live where one can really be interested in sport and adventure.

5. Jacksonville

Population: 949,616
Cost of Living: $2,628 -$3,230 
Nearby Universities: Jacksonville University, University of North Florida, Florida State College At Jacksonville
Great For: Artists, Students, Professionals, Families, Travellers
Tourist Attractions: Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Jacksonville, one of the best places to live in Florida and close to the Atlantic coast, is connected by bridges above rivers. These bridges link locals living in the downtown area with the beaches nearby. Every neighborhood in the greater part of Jacksonville is filled with businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues. It is one of those neighborhoods in Florida where we enjoy outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, and cycling, in state entertainment areas like Hanna Park and the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve. Jacksonville definitely tops the list of best places to live in Florida for families especially.

6. Tallahassee

Population: 390,992
Cost of Living: $2,036- $3,536
Nearby Universities: Florida State University, Tallahassee Community College, Florida A&M University
Great For: Students, Professionals, Families
Tourist Attractions: Cascades Park, Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, Tallahassee Museum

Tallahassee is the best area in florida to live for students. The town's three higher education institutions allow locals to enjoy nightlife, sports, and cultural events. Professional performers are drawn to the student concerts held by the music schools. Florida State University's writing, dance, and art departments also offer magical events. The architecture, scenery, way of life, and attitude of the city are all influenced by its past activities and happenings. Why it is one of the best places to live in Florida - "The Other Florida," Gloria Jahoda said, "There is no other city in Florida, or in the South, quite like it." Along with that, if you are a student, explore a few notable student housings in Tallahassee for a stress-free academic life in the state. 

7. Pensacola

Population: 54,312
Cost of Living: $2,127-$2,800
Nearby Universities: Pensacola State College, Pensacola Christian College, University of West Florida
Great For: Students, Professionals, Families
Tourist Attractions: Joe Patti's Seafood, Grizzly Axes, Pensacola Bay City Ferry

Pensacola is known for its beaches, but townies are aware that there is something to do here for everyone, even on wet days. On account of Florida best places to live - families love visiting the National Naval Aviation Museum, and Historic Pensacola has a number of museums and tours that delve into the region's rich archaeological past. Newcomers are frequently drawn to the Pensacola area by its mesmerising green waterways, white sand beaches, and spectacular sunsets. Why wouldn't it be one of the best places to live in Florida?

8. Fort Myers

Population: 92,245 
Cost of Living: $2,527-$3,280
Nearby Universities: Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers Institute of Technology
Great For: Students, Professionals, Families
Tourist Attractions: Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, JetBlue Park

Miles of freshwater and saltwater inlets for boating, fishing, and hiking are available in the vicinity. There are also paths for bicycling, hiking, and canoeing, as well as golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and shuffleboard courts. Fort Myers is also a great place to go shelling, snorkelling, and sunbathing because of its proximity to Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island. Irrespective of being one of the best places to live in Florida, one can simply have an adventurous and laid-back life here; the city itself sounds like a beachy bohemian dreamland.

9. Lakeland

Population: 112,641
Cost of Living: $2,420, $2,820
Nearby Universities: Florida Southern College, Southeastern University Lakeland
Great For: Students, Professionals, Families
Tourist Attractions: Florida Southern College, Southeastern University Lakeland

Lakeland named its 38 gorgeous lakes, is a land rich in Old Florida culture and scenic wonder. Locals of Lakeland live in the metro era of the 19th-century origins by historical landmarks including Polk Theatre and Munn Park. In the meantime, Lakelanders can take advantage of the gorgeous sunshine that gloriously falls on the land. It is definitely one of the best places to live in Florida for students, families, professionals and retirees. It is one of the top places to live in Florida since the cost of living here is lower than in nearby Orlando or Tampa, but so is the average annual salary. 

10. Miami

Population: 442,241  
Cost of Living: 3,693.6$ - 4,993.6$ 
Nearby Universities: University of Miami, Florida International University, Miami Dade College
Great For: Artists, Students, Professionals, Families
Tourist Attractions: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Bayside Marketplace, Pérez Art Museum Miami, Zoo Miami

Miamians often enjoy many of the same activities as vacationers, including chilling on the Miami beaches. Sports fans fill the city's stadiums to cheer on skilled basketball and football teams, while active high-end residents pass the time playing golf, deep-sea fishing, and scuba diving. The cost of living in Miami is higher than the national average, with the most expensive investment being housing. It is one of the best places to live in Florida if you are scouting for some posh options or making a living in one of the most influential neighborhoods in Florida. Isn't it one of the best places to live in Florida?

Florida offers a wide range of alternatives for anyone looking for the perfect spot to call home. Places in Florida to live offer something to fit every lifestyle and taste, from warm-filled beaches to chilly days. Florida has everything, whether you prefer busy city life, tranquil suburban neighborhoods, or adventurous destinations to discover spectacular, eye-candy spots. Take this list of the best places to live in Florida as a reference while you scout for your dream city.