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Moving to Florida?
Excellent choice! From the beaches of Miami and the Gulf Coast to the rolling hills of the central region, Florida has a lot to offer.
If you’re moving to Florida to spend your days on the beach or hitting the Disney parks, you may want to rethink that plan. While you’ll probably spend some time soaking up rays or splashing in the waves, most Floridians don’t spend their days at South Beach or the Magic Kingdom. But that’s OK -- there’s plenty more to do in besides hitting the sand and surf or riding Space Mountain. With its growing foodie scene, vibrant arts communities, beautiful art deco architecture, and multicultural vibe, you’ll never be bored in the Sunshine State.
All that comes at a price, though. Florida is expensive. You’ll save money by moving to smaller communities rather than the major cities, but be prepared to spend more than the national average on many things. While the median household income in Florida is lower than the national median, housing prices are well above the national median. And this holds true for both homebuyers and renters. Expect to pay about $170 per square foot to purchase a house, and at least $1.50-$2 per square foot to rent. Be aware that houses in cities like Miami can sell for over $400 per square foot! Florida’s housing market is HOT.
Demographics
Median Age: 42 years
Median Household Income: $52, 594
Diversity (approximate): 75.9% White (including White Hispanic), 25.6% Hispanic, 16.9% Black of African American, 2.9% Asian
Weather
Annual High Temperature: 79.5F
Annual Low Temperature: 55.5F
Average Temperature: 67.6F
Annual average precipitation -- rainfall: 59.2 in
Days per year without precipitation: 128 days
Housing
Median property value: $233,700
Home owners: 65.2%
Renters: 34.8%
Top cities: Orlando, Miami, Talahassee, Tampa, Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, Ft. Lauderdale
Jobs and Commutes
Major industries: Tourism, media, health care and health care administration, education
Largest employers: Disney World, Publix Supermarkets, Miami-Dade County Public Schools and other public school districts, state and local governments, Adventist Health System, Baptist Health South Florida, American Airlines, Jackson Health System
Average commute: 27 minutes
Main roadways: SR 112 (Airport Expressway), Interstate 95, US Route 1
Public transportation: Metro, light rail, buses, Metrorail (heavy rail), Tri-Rail (commuter rail). These are only available in some cities; most Floridians commute by driving
Things to Do
Go to the beach
Visit the art museums
Tour the art deco architecture
Attend Art Basel
Explore the many multicultural neighborhoods
Attend a basketball, baseball, or football game
Check out the diverse food scene
FloridaMoving Resources
Miami-Dade Public Library System
Florida Housing Prices and Values
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Miami-Dade County Voter Registration
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Handy Links
13 Thing to Know Before Moving to Miami
Your Official Miami and Beach Guide