Cost of Living in Florida

By Jacqueline DeMarco

(Last Updated – 07/2026)

There’s a reason Florida is called the Sunshine State. Along with really fresh orange juice, Florida residents enjoy an average of 240 sunny days every year, compared with the U.S. average of 205.

You also don’t have to worry about any snowy days, because Florida averages zero inches of snow per year, whereas the nationwide average was 18.1 inches in the winter of 2024-2025.

All of those beach days are appealing, but how much does it cost to live in the boating and fishing capital of the world? Take a closer look at the numbers to see what the cost of living in Florida is so you can decide if living in Florida makes sense for your wallet.

What’s the Average Cost of Living in Florida?

Average Cost of Living in Florida: $62,618 per year

If you dream of days spent on sandy Florida beaches, your wallet is in luck. Florida residents enjoy the 31st-lowest cost of living in the United States — or 19th-highest — according to the most recent Missouri Economic Research & Information Center (MERIC) data. While 31st place may not seem like much to brag about, when you compare what it would cost you to enjoy California’s beaches as a resident, your monthly budget is getting a break. California has the third-highest cost of living in the country.

Rankings give a look at the bigger picture, but what is the cost of living in Florida? Using the most recent data, the Bureau of Economic Analysis found that the average total personal consumption cost in Florida is $62,618 per year. Here’s how that breaks down.

That translates to about $5,218 per person, per month.

Housing Costs in Florida

Average Housing Costs in Florida: $1,546-$2,938 per month

No matter where you live, one of your largest ongoing expenses will be paying for housing. Florida has around 10.8 million housing units, according to the most recent census data, so there’s an array of housing options throughout the state. How much do those housing options cost? In May 2026, Zillow listed the typical value of Florida homes at about $377,578 and the U.S. median existing-home value as $370,320.

Here’s what monthly housing prices can look like in Florida, according to the latest census data:

•  Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,959

•  Median studio rent: $1,546

•  Median one-bedroom rent: $1,589

•  Median two-bedroom rent: $1,812

•  Median three-bedroom rent: $2,076

•  Median four-bedroom rent: $2,375

•  Median five-bedroom (or more) rent: $2,938

•  Median gross rent: $1,812

Housing prices vary throughout the state, so below are the typical home values for 20 major Florida cities, per Zillow in May 2026. Here they are, from lowest to highest.

Utility Costs in Florida

Average Utility Costs in Florida: $371 per month

Utility costs can vary a lot, depending on your state, whether you rely on natural gas, the size and age of your home, and the age of your appliances. Here’s what you can expect to spend in Florida.

Groceries & Beverage Spending

Average Grocery & Beverage Costs in Florida: $396 per person, per month

One ongoing expense is groceries and eating out. Where you live can affect how much you’ll spend on food.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that the average Floridian’s annual nonrestaurant food cost is $4,751, so that’s about $396 per month. A family of four can expect to spend $1,584 per month on groceries, more or less.

The Council for Community and Economic Research, which ranks the food costs in major American cities, ranked Florida cities’ most recent average grocery costs from lowest to highest.

Transportation

Average Transportation Costs in Florida: $8,389-$15,754 per year

No matter where you live in the country, transportation costs can add up. Throw kids into the mix, and costs rise.

Here’s what transportation can cost in Florida, according to the most recent data from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator.

Health Care

Average Health Care Costs in Florida: $9,545 per person, per year

The average annual per-capita cost of health care in Florida is $9,545, the most recent Bureau of Economic Analysis Personal Consumption Expenditures by State report found.

It’s worth noting that how much you spend on health care will depend on your unique medical needs and health insurance coverage.

Child Care

Average Child Care Costs in Florida: $702-$1,364 or more per child, per month

Many parents know the struggle of budgeting for child care. Where you live and the type of care you choose can have an effect on how much you spend.

In Florida, if you need care for an infant, you’ll find that home-based family child care is much less expensive than an infant classroom. But once your child gets a little bit older, you’ll save by choosing the toddler classroom route. Below are the average child care costs in Florida, per recent data from CostofChildCare.org.

Taxes

Highest Marginal Tax Rate in Florida: None

Ready for some good news? Florida residents aren’t charged any state income tax, as noted by the Tax Foundation’s State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets.

If you like the idea of getting away from state income taxes, then you’ll appreciate that the following states also don’t charge state income tax: Alaska, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming. The state of Washington does not charge a state income tax but does tax the capital gains income of high-earning individuals at 7%.

Miscellaneous Costs

Now that you have a general idea of what the essentials will cost you, you can start thinking about some of the nonessentials that make life fun.

If personal expenditures average $33,815 per person, per year in Florida, this is where Floridians may be spending some of that money (costs are accurate as of June 2026):

•  Disney has four theme parks and two water parks for the family to enjoy in Florida. Walt Disney World annual passes at the park in Orlando start at $469 per year (plus tax), per person and go as high as $1,629, with additional options to add on. A single-day theme park ticket for ages 10 and up starts at $119. Florida residents are eligible for discounted tickets and passes.

•  A day at the Miami Zoo is a much more affordable way to enjoy some family time. Tickets are $25.95 for adults, $21.95 for kids 3-12, and free for children aged two and under.

•  To get up close and personal with the alligators Florida is famous for, Gatorland tickets start at $24.99 (kids 3-12) and $34.99 (adults), with additional discounts also available for the theme park in Southchase.

•  Dine like a true Floridian with a slice of key lime pie from Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen in Key Largo for $7.99.

•  Visit Dry Tortugas National Park via boat with a trip on the Yankee Freedom Ferry from Key West. Adult tickets start at $260 and include lunch, snorkeling equipment, entrance fee to the historic fort, and more. Discounts are available.

•  The best news is that a day spent on one of Florida’s beaches won’t set you back anything, aside from parking and snacks. Approximately 90% of Florida’s beaches and coastal access points are open to the public.

Recommended: What Are the Average Monthly Expenses for One Person?

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Florida?

While your definition of what it means to live comfortably will be unique to you and your needs, everyone has a basic standard of living they hope to meet without having to feel excess financial pressure. If you have your heart set on moving to Florida, you may or may not find it hard to live comfortably.

According to U.S. News & World Report’s Affordability Rankings, Florida is 44 out of 50. That finding is quite far from the MERIC data that ranked Florida the 31st most expensive state.

What Major City Has the Lowest Cost of Living in Florida?

These three Florida cities have the lowest cost of living, according to the most recent Council for Community and Economic Research’s Cost-of-Living Index composite scores.

Ocala

With a composite score of 88.3, Ocala is the most affordable city in Florida. Not surprisingly, this gem is located in Central Florida, about 80 miles northwest of Orlando. While it’s within driving distance of Orlando or the Gulf of Mexico, you can also check out the local Silver Springs State Park, site of one of Florida’s early tourist attractions. Ocala’s population is 68,426, with a median household income of $53K.

Jacksonville

You don’t need to give up big-city life for an affordable lifestyle in Florida. Jacksonville, with around 1,017,689 residents as of the latest census estimates, has the second-lowest cost of living in the Sunshine State, with a cost-of-living index of 89.9. Jacksonville offers opportunities for boating and fishing with the St. Johns River, located within city limits, and 1,100 miles of navigable water. Jacksonville is known for having more shoreline than any other city in the country. It has 22 miles of white sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean available for relaxing and soaking up the rays.

Orlando

According to the Council for Community and Economic Research data, Orlando comes in as the third-lowest city in the state in terms of cost of living, with a composite score of 90.6. Home to Disney World and Universal Orlando, which you might have heard of, Orlando also has unique experiences, such as the Kennedy Space Center and even gardens and art museums. Home to 333,888 residents, per the most recent census estimates, the one thing Orlando lacks is oceanfront beaches. That’s because it’s actually located inland, smack dab in the middle of the state.

FAQ

Is it expensive to live in Florida?

Your spending habits and needs determine what is truly expensive or not in terms of cost of living, but in Florida, most estimates show a higher-than-median cost. Ranked 44th by U.S. News & World Report’s affordability report and 31st by Missouri Economic Research & Information Center (MERIC) cost-of-living data, Florida stands higher than the middle of the pack of states.

Is Florida a high cost of living state?

Florida is moderately high in terms of cost-of-living standards, depending on where you choose to live and your spending habits. Adults with no children will not have to factor in child care costs, higher transportation costs with kids, or additional spending on food, housing, and health care. But cities such as Miami or Naples are also expensive in terms of housing or even grocery costs, per the most recent data, versus cheaper Florida locations such as Pensacola or Homosassa Springs, which have the lowest average home values.

Is Tallahassee, Florida expensive to live?

Tallahassee ranked as one of the cheapest cities to live in Florida, per the latest data from the Council for Community and Economic Research. It has the sixth-lowest home values and the lowest average grocery costs in the state.