The best places to live in Florida in 2026: short answer
On our five-measure score, the top five large Florida cities are Ocala, Tallahassee, Fort Pierce, Lakeland and Jacksonville. All five have a typical home value under $310,000, well below the Florida typical value of $375,470 in August 2026, and all grew in population between 2020 and 2025.
That result comes from the data, not from opinion. The ranking rewards places where housing costs less than the state norm, prices have held up and people keep moving in. If your budget is higher and you care more about a particular coast, skip to how to choose or read our beach towns ranking.
How we ranked Florida cities
We started with every Florida city of at least 50,000 people (Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates) that also has Zillow home value and rent data. That gave 62 cities. Each city was then ranked against the other 61 on five measures, and the five percentile scores were averaged into a score out of 100.
The five measures
- Typical home value (Zillow ZHVI, August 2026): lower scores better.
- Typical rent (Zillow ZORI, August 2026): lower scores better.
- One-year value change: a smaller fall or a gain scores better, as a sign of steady demand.
- Five-year value change: higher scores better.
- Population change, 2020 to 2025 (Census): higher scores better, because people choosing to move somewhere is the broadest vote you can measure.
What the score leaves out
Schools, commute times, crime and insurance matter a lot, but no single statewide dataset covers them evenly for every city, so they are not in the score. Crime data is covered separately in our guide to Florida crime rates by city. Weather, beaches and culture are personal, so we describe them in each profile rather than scoring them.
Top 20 places to live in Florida: ranking table
All values are Zillow's August 2026 figures. Population change is from Census Bureau estimates for April 2020 to July 2025.
| Rank | City | County | Typical value | Typical rent | 1-yr | 5-yr | Pop. change | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ocala | Marion County | $265,333 | $1,575 | -2.5% | +22.7% | +12.7% | 71.8 |
| 2 | Tallahassee | Leon County | $294,444 | $1,470 | +1.4% | +18.5% | +4.4% | 70.8 |
| 3 | Fort Pierce | St. Lucie County | $277,504 | $1,980 | -1.7% | +25.6% | +9.0% | 69.2 |
| 4 | Lakeland | Polk County | $309,954 | $1,722 | -1.3% | +21.0% | +11.5% | 68.9 |
| 5 | Jacksonville | Duval County | $285,103 | $1,601 | -0.8% | +16.7% | +7.2% | 66.0 |
| 6 | Daytona Beach | Volusia County | $252,622 | $1,533 | -2.3% | +12.4% | +23.6% | 65.3 |
| 7 | West Palm Beach | Palm Beach County | $404,294 | $2,377 | +1.4% | +35.2% | +8.4% | 65.0 |
| 8 | Pensacola | Escambia County | $266,727 | $1,657 | +1.2% | +18.5% | -1.1% | 63.7 |
| 9 | Winter Haven | Polk County | $272,484 | $1,698 | -2.7% | +16.2% | +23.9% | 63.5 |
| 10 | Palm Bay | Brevard County | $303,910 | $1,867 | -1.7% | +16.7% | +23.7% | 62.4 |
| 11 | Gainesville | Alachua County | $295,760 | $1,618 | -1.2% | +17.2% | +5.3% | 62.3 |
| 12 | Deltona | Volusia County | $298,293 | $2,039 | -0.7% | +20.3% | +7.0% | 62.3 |
| 13 | Apopka | Orange County | $394,175 | $2,003 | -0.6% | +21.1% | +19.4% | 61.8 |
| 14 | Orlando | Orange County | $371,120 | $1,896 | -1.4% | +23.4% | +8.4% | 61.3 |
| 15 | Tampa | Hillsborough County | $377,566 | $1,957 | -0.3% | +21.4% | +7.3% | 60.6 |
| 16 | Palm Coast | Flagler County | $342,262 | $1,868 | -0.9% | +8.6% | +23.2% | 59.5 |
| 17 | Sanford | Seminole County | $340,196 | $1,836 | -2.1% | +19.4% | +10.3% | 58.9 |
| 18 | Port St. Lucie | St. Lucie County | $384,593 | $2,396 | -1.3% | +22.4% | +30.9% | 58.2 |
| 19 | Ocoee | Orange County | $412,826 | $2,189 | -1.4% | +25.0% | +9.7% | 56.3 |
| 20 | Palm Beach Gardens | Palm Beach County | $695,799 | $2,814 | +3.2% | +36.9% | +8.0% | 54.8 |
The 20 best cities to live in Florida, one by one
1. Ocala
Ocala is the Marion County seat in north-central Florida, on I-75 between Gainesville and the Tampa and Orlando areas. The surrounding countryside is horse-farm territory,, and prices sit well below the coastal metros.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $265,333 (-2.5% over the year, +22.7% over five years) and typical rent is $1,575 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 71,753, +12.7% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $1,594 a month before taxes and insurance.
2. Tallahassee
Tallahassee is the state capital and home to Florida State University and Florida A&M University, so state government and higher education anchor the local job market. It sits in the Panhandle close to the Georgia line, with rolling, tree-covered terrain rather than the flat coast most people picture.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $294,444 (+1.4% over the year, +18.5% over five years) and typical rent is $1,470 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 204,902, +4.4% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $1,768 a month before taxes and insurance.
3. Fort Pierce
Fort Pierce is the St. Lucie County seat on the Indian River Lagoon, with Atlantic beaches on the barrier island across the bridge. It shares a metro with Port St. Lucie, its much larger neighbor to the south.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $277,504 (-1.7% over the year, +25.6% over five years) and typical rent is $1,980 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 51,737, +9.0% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $1,667 a month before taxes and insurance.
4. Lakeland
Lakeland sits on I-4 roughly halfway between Tampa and Orlando, which lets residents reach either metro for work or flights. The city is built around dozens of named lakes, and older districts such as Lake Morton and Lake Hollingsworth surround downtown.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $309,954 (-1.3% over the year, +21.0% over five years) and typical rent is $1,722 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 125,520, +11.5% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $1,862 a month before taxes and insurance.
Read the full guide to living in Lakeland and the Lakeland cost of living breakdown. See how bills are worked out in the Polk County property tax guide.
5. Jacksonville
Jacksonville is consolidated with Duval County, so the city covers everything from downtown on the St. Johns River to suburbs such as Mandarin and the Atlantic beach towns. It is the largest city in Florida by population in the Census estimates used here.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $285,103 (-0.8% over the year, +16.7% over five years) and typical rent is $1,601 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 1,017,689, +7.2% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $1,712 a month before taxes and insurance.
Read the full guide to living in Jacksonville and the Jacksonville cost of living breakdown. See how bills are worked out in the Duval County property tax guide.
6. Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is on the Atlantic coast in Volusia County, home to Daytona International Speedway and a long public beach. Its typical home value is the lowest of any city in the top 20.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $252,622 (-2.3% over the year, +12.4% over five years) and typical rent is $1,533 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 88,471, +23.6% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $1,517 a month before taxes and insurance.
7. West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach is the Palm Beach County seat, on the Intracoastal Waterway across from the Town of Palm Beach. It had the second-highest five-year price growth in the top 20, which lifted its score despite higher rents.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $404,294 (+1.4% over the year, +35.2% over five years) and typical rent is $2,377 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 127,189, +8.4% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $2,428 a month before taxes and insurance.
See how bills are worked out in the Palm Beach County property tax guide.
8. Pensacola
Pensacola is on Pensacola Bay at the far western end of the Panhandle. Naval Air Station Pensacola is a major employer, and Pensacola Beach sits on the barrier island to the south.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $266,727 (+1.2% over the year, +18.5% over five years) and typical rent is $1,657 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 53,817, -1.1% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $1,602 a month before taxes and insurance.
9. Winter Haven
Winter Haven is in Polk County, known for its connected chain of lakes. It is one of the faster-growing cities in the ranking by Census estimates, and it shares a metro area with Lakeland.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $272,484 (-2.7% over the year, +16.2% over five years) and typical rent is $1,698 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 62,313, +23.9% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $1,637 a month before taxes and insurance.
See how bills are worked out in the Polk County property tax guide.
10. Palm Bay
Palm Bay is in Brevard County on the Space Coast, south of Melbourne. It grew by nearly a quarter between 2020 and 2025 in Census estimates, one of the fastest rates among large Florida cities.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $303,910 (-1.7% over the year, +16.7% over five years) and typical rent is $1,867 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 148,092, +23.7% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $1,825 a month before taxes and insurance.
11. Gainesville
Gainesville is home to the University of Florida and the UF Health medical campus, which anchor the local economy. Outside the campus core you find established areas such as Duckpond and planned communities like Haile Plantation.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $295,760 (-1.2% over the year, +17.2% over five years) and typical rent is $1,618 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 148,671, +5.3% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $1,776 a month before taxes and insurance.
Read the full guide to living in Gainesville and the Gainesville cost of living breakdown. See how bills are worked out in the Alachua County property tax guide.
12. Deltona
Deltona is in western Volusia County along I-4, between the Orlando area and Daytona Beach. It is largely residential. Its typical home value is about $46,000 above Daytona Beach's, and typical rent is about $500 a month higher.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $298,293 (-0.7% over the year, +20.3% over five years) and typical rent is $2,039 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 100,267, +7.0% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $1,792 a month before taxes and insurance.
13. Apopka
Apopka is in northwest Orange County, north of Orlando and Winter Garden. Its population grew by about a fifth from 2020 to 2025 in Census estimates.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $394,175 (-0.6% over the year, +21.1% over five years) and typical rent is $2,003 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 65,552, +19.4% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $2,367 a month before taxes and insurance.
See how bills are worked out in the Orange County property tax guide.
14. Orlando
Orlando is the center of Florida's largest inland metro, with Orlando International Airport, the theme parks to the southwest and a job base that includes tourism, healthcare and technology. Neighborhoods range from College Park near downtown to Lake Nona in the southeast.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $371,120 (-1.4% over the year, +23.4% over five years) and typical rent is $1,896 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 333,888, +8.4% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $2,229 a month before taxes and insurance.
Read the full guide to living in Orlando and the Orlando cost of living breakdown. See how bills are worked out in the Orange County property tax guide.
15. Tampa
Tampa is the largest city on Tampa Bay, with Tampa International Airport, the Port of Tampa and a downtown that has grown along the Hillsborough River. It had the smallest one-year price change of any large Bright city in the list.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $377,566 (-0.3% over the year, +21.4% over five years) and typical rent is $1,957 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 413,554, +7.3% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $2,268 a month before taxes and insurance.
Read the full guide to living in Tampa and the Tampa cost of living breakdown. See how bills are worked out in the Hillsborough County property tax guide.
16. Palm Coast
Palm Coast is in Flagler County on the Atlantic side, between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. It is one of the faster-growing cities in the list, though its five-year price change is the lowest of the top 20.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $342,262 (-0.9% over the year, +8.6% over five years) and typical rent is $1,868 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 109,886, +23.2% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $2,056 a month before taxes and insurance.
17. Sanford
Sanford is the Seminole County seat on Lake Monroe, north of Orlando. Orlando Sanford International Airport and the SunRail commuter line both serve the city.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $340,196 (-2.1% over the year, +19.4% over five years) and typical rent is $1,836 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 67,483, +10.3% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $2,043 a month before taxes and insurance.
18. Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie is the largest city on the Treasure Coast and had the fastest population growth of any city in the top 20, about 31% from 2020 to 2025. Its typical value sits slightly above the Florida figure.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $384,593 (-1.3% over the year, +22.4% over five years) and typical rent is $2,396 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 268,062, +30.9% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $2,310 a month before taxes and insurance.
19. Ocoee
Ocoee is in west Orange County next to Winter Garden, along the Florida Turnpike and SR 429. It gives you west Orlando access at a lower typical value than its neighbor.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $412,826 (-1.4% over the year, +25.0% over five years) and typical rent is $2,189 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 51,932, +9.7% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $2,479 a month before taxes and insurance.
See how bills are worked out in the Orange County property tax guide.
20. Palm Beach Gardens
Palm Beach Gardens is in northern Palm Beach County, with the highest typical value in the top 20. It scored well on price growth, with a 3.2% one-year gain in a year when most Florida cities fell.
By the numbers: Zillow's typical home value is $695,799 (+3.2% over the year, +36.9% over five years) and typical rent is $2,814 a month. The Census Bureau puts the 2025 population at 63,883, +8.0% since 2020. With 10% down at 7.03%, principal and interest on a typical home would be about $4,179 a month before taxes and insurance.
See how bills are worked out in the Palm Beach County property tax guide.
Where the Bright cities rank
Nine of the 11 cities we cover have 50,000 or more residents and appear in the full ranking. Plant City and Winter Garden are below the population cut-off. Rank is out of 62.
| City | Rank | Typical value | Typical rent | 1-yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland | 4 of 62 | $309,954 | $1,722 | -1.3% |
| Jacksonville | 5 of 62 | $285,103 | $1,601 | -0.8% |
| Gainesville | 11 of 62 | $295,760 | $1,618 | -1.2% |
| Orlando | 14 of 62 | $371,120 | $1,896 | -1.4% |
| Tampa | 15 of 62 | $377,566 | $1,957 | -0.3% |
| Clermont | 25 of 62 | $428,604 | $2,058 | -2.3% |
| Boca Raton | 31 of 62 | $576,824 | $2,949 | +3.7% |
| Cape Coral | 38 of 62 | $335,825 | $1,949 | -3.9% |
| Sarasota | 58 of 62 | $409,878 | $2,175 | -2.7% |
Cape Coral, Sarasota and Boca Raton rank lower mainly on price: Cape Coral and Sarasota had some of the larger one-year value falls in the state, and Boca Raton's typical value is well above the Florida figure. None of that says anything about day-to-day life there, and many buyers choose them for the water, the Gulf coast or the amenities. Compare them on our locations pages.
How to choose where to live in Florida
Pick a region first
Florida is long. The Panhandle (Pensacola, Tallahassee) has cooler winters and a Deep South feel, north-central Florida (Gainesville, Ocala) is inland and university-driven, the I-4 corridor (Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando, Daytona) holds most of the jobs growth, and South Florida has the highest prices. Settle on one or two regions before comparing cities.
Price the whole payment, not the house
Principal and interest are only part of the monthly cost. Property tax depends on the county millage and your homestead status (see the Florida property tax guide), and homeowners and flood insurance vary more by location in Florida than almost anywhere. Get an insurance quote on a specific address before you make an offer.
Check flood and storm exposure by address
Two homes a mile apart can sit in different flood zones. Look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask the seller for any elevation certificate and wind mitigation report.
Visit in summer
Heat and humidity from June to September are the thing newcomers most often underestimate. A week in August tells you more than a week in February.
Rent before you buy if you are unsure
Typical rents in the top 20 run from $1,470 in Tallahassee to $2,814 in Palm Beach Gardens. A year's lease lets you learn the area, the commute and the storm season before you commit.
Nicest but cheapest, safest, top 10 and which areas to be careful about
What is the nicest but cheapest place to live in Florida?
"Nicest" is personal, but you can combine low cost with the other measures. Of the 20 cities above, Daytona Beach ($252,622), Ocala ($265,333) and Pensacola ($266,727) have the lowest typical values, and all three still scored in the top 10 overall. Daytona Beach and Pensacola also give you the coast. For the lowest prices of all, see our cheapest places to live in Florida.
Which is the safest place to live in Florida?
We don't label places safe or unsafe. What you can compare is reported crime per resident. In FDLE's 2025 incident data, among cities of 10,000 or more with complete reporting, Niceville in Okaloosa County had the lowest combined violent and property crime rate. The full method and list are in our Florida crime rates guide.
What are the top 10 best cities to live in Florida?
On our score: Ocala, Tallahassee, Fort Pierce, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Pensacola, Winter Haven and Palm Bay.
What part of Florida should you stay away from?
We don't publish lists of areas to avoid. Instead, check three official sources for any address you are considering: the FEMA flood map for flood zone, your county's hurricane evacuation zone map, and FDLE or local police crime data for the city. Then get an insurance quote, because it reflects the risk insurers see.
Common questions
What is the best city to live in Florida?+
On our score, Ocala ranks first among the 62 Florida cities with 50,000 or more people. It combines a typical home value of $265,333 and typical rent of $1,575 (Zillow, August 2026) with 22.7% price growth over five years and 12.7% population growth since 2020. A different weighting, for example putting beaches first, would produce a different winner.
Where is the cheapest place to live in Florida?+
Among Florida cities with at least 10,000 residents, Lauderdale Lakes in Broward County had the lowest Zillow typical home value in August 2026, at $135,344. Its figure reflects a large share of condos. For mostly single-family areas, Avon Park, Palatka and Sebring had typical values between about $208,000 and $239,000.
Is Florida still a good place to buy a home in 2026?+
Prices are softer than in 2022. Zillow's typical Florida home value was $375,470 in August 2026, down 1.5% on the year but up 20.3% over five years. Falling prices give buyers more room to negotiate, but insurance and property tax should be priced for the specific home before you decide.
What is the typical rent in Florida's best cities?+
Among the top 20 cities in this ranking, Zillow's typical rent in August 2026 ranged from $1,470 a month in Tallahassee to $2,814 in Palm Beach Gardens. Most of the top 10 were under $2,000. Rents change by neighborhood, so check listings in the specific area you are considering.
Which Florida cities are growing the fastest?+
Among cities of 50,000 or more, Port St. Lucie grew about 31% between the 2020 Census base and July 2025, followed by North Port (28.7%) and St. Cloud (26.9%), then Winter Haven, Palm Bay, Daytona Beach and Palm Coast at about 23% to 24%, according to Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates.
How much do you need to earn to live in Florida?+
The MIT Living Wage Calculator puts the statewide living wage for one adult with no children at $24.09 an hour, or $50,117 a year before taxes, as of February 2026. Housing is the largest cost in that budget at $18,245 a year. Costs in Ocala or Tallahassee will be lower than in South Florida.
Sources
- Zillow Research: Home value (ZHVI) and rent (ZORI) data, August 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau: City and town population estimates, Vintage 2025 (Florida)
- Freddie Mac: Primary Mortgage Market Survey, September 24, 2026
- MIT Living Wage Calculator: Florida (updated February 15, 2026)
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement: FIBRS offense data, 2021 to present
- FEMA: Flood Map Service Center