Florida is the home of Disneyland World, Universal Studios, Kennedy Space Center, and some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. Moving to Florida would mean enjoying an average of 237 sunny days every year, compared with the U.S. average of 205 and zero inches of snow per year, whereas the United States average is 28 inches.
Despite being one of the most popular vacations and retirement destinations in the U.S., Florida is an affordable state to live in.
In this article, we have covered everything you need to know before moving to the boating and fishing capital of the world. So let us take a look!
Methodology
The main data collection source for this article is Numbeo using data from Florida’s most populous city, Jacksonville, and trusted city-related websites, including JTAFLA and Florida Dept of Revenue. The costs presented are estimates and pertain to an individual living alone on a monthly basis.
Cost of Living in Florida – 2024
Housing costs in Florida
Cost of rent in Florida
|
Area/Neighborhood |
1-bed apartment |
3-bed apartment |
|
Jacksonville (Outside of Center) |
$1,277.91 |
$2,157.00 |
Cost of buying a property in Florida
|
Area/Neighborhood |
Average home price |
|
Jacksonville |
$295,910 |
Utility costs in Florida: Internet, electricity, and water
Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, managing utility expenses is a necessity in Florida. Fortunately, the state’s utility costs align closely with the national average. However, it’s important to bear in mind that given Florida’s hot climate, budgeting for air conditioning is crucial to stay comfortable during the sweltering months.
|
Utilities |
Cost |
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
$152.40 |
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
$43.00 |
|
Total |
$195.40 |
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Grocery costs in Florida
In Florida, groceries come at an affordable price, aligning with the overall cost-effective lifestyle in the state. Living here won’t strain your budget when it comes to food expenses.
|
Grocery items in Florida |
Cost |
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
$4.33 |
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
$3.10 |
|
Rice (white) (1 lb) |
$1.53 |
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
$4.33 |
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
$5.46 |
|
Chicken Filets (1 lb) |
$5.55 |
|
Beef Round (1 lb) |
$8.46 |
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$2.12 |
|
Banana (1 lb) |
$0.70 |
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.34 |
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
$2.22 |
|
Potato (1 lb) |
$1.37 |
|
Onion (1 lb) |
$1.96 |
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
$2.38 |
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
$11.50 |
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
$1.94 |
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
$4.12 |
Public transit in Florida
Florida’s inefficient public transit system can be attributed to its challenging terrain, making subway construction impractical. Additionally, the prevalent car culture and the concentration of residents near the coast have reduced the emphasis on developing extensive public transit options.
|
Type of fare |
Rate |
|
Single ticket |
$1.75 |
|
Daily pass |
$4.50 |
|
Weekly pass |
$20.00 |
|
Monthly pass |
$65.00 |
Entertainment costs in Florida
People across the country visit the famous Walt Disney World. However, Florida is also renowned for its beautiful beaches. Florida offers plenty of activities for active retirees, as well.
|
Entertainment in Los Angeles |
Cost |
|
Mid-range restaurant meal |
$40.00 |
|
Taxi 1h |
$30.00 |
|
1 cinema ticket |
$14.00 |
|
Total |
$84.00 |
Sales tax in Florida
The general sales tax rate in Florida is 6%. There are, however, certain exceptions. Such as retail sales of new mobile homes (3%), amusement machine receipts (4%), rental, lease, or license of commercial real property (5.5%) and electricity (6.95%).
Florida Dept of Revenue (Oct 2023)
Healthcare costs in Florida
Healthcare is an essential expense. Therefore, we always include healthcare costs in our budget when moving to any place. Health insurance costs in Florida will vary greatly depending on your health, medication costs, whether you rely on employer-provided or personal health insurance, and the number of individuals in your household.
|
Type of healthcare |
Cost |
|
Employer-sponsored health insurance |
$140.33 |
|
Non-employer-sponsored health insurance (average cheapest) |
$196.66 |
|
Gym |
$28.66 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023) & EHealthInsurance (Oct 2023)
Conclusion
Moving to Florida is not so challenging because the cost of living in the sunshine state is affordable. And, if rightly budgeted, you can live in Florida in no time. But, first, get to know the average cost of living in Florida, as mentioned in the table below:
|
Category |
Monthly cost |
|
1 bed apt rent outside city center |
$1,277.91 |
|
Groceries Numbeo’s grocery list ($63.41 multiplied by 4) |
$253.64 |
|
Utilities Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$152.40 |
|
Internet with 60 Mbps |
$43.00 |
|
Transit pass |
$65.00 |
|
Entertainment Meal, taxi, movie |
$84.00 |
|
Gym membership |
$28.66 |
|
Total |
$1,904.61 |
