Despite what you may have heard, Florida is not all about cheap retiree living and endless beaches.
There are several cities in the Sunshine State that are quite expensive to live in.
If you’re considering a move to Florida, be prepared to pay a premium for the following cities.
There’s no doubt that Florida is a great place to live, with its warm weather and stunning beaches.
But depending on where in Florida you choose to live, your cost of living can vary greatly.
According to recent reports, the most expensive cities in Florida are quite different than what you might expect.
Most Expensive Places to Live in Florida
1. Palm Beach
Palm Beach is one of the most expensive cities in Florida. It is known for its luxurious lifestyle and high-end resorts. Many celebrities and wealthy individuals have homes here. The cost of living is high, but so are the quality of life and amenities.
The city is home to many upscale shops and restaurants, as well as art galleries, museums, and theaters. It is also a popular destination for golfers and boaters. The average home price in Palm Beach is over $1 million.
There are a number of factors that makes the high cost of living in Palm Beach. One of the most important is the location. Palm Beach is situated on a barrier island, which means that land is at a premium.
The climate is perfect for year-round recreation, which drives up demand (and prices) for both real estate and rentals. The high-end lifestyle also comes with a high price tag, as many of the restaurants and shops cater to a wealthy clientele.
Taxes are also relatively high in Palm Beach, which further adds to the cost of living. Taken together, these factors make Palm Beach one of the most expensive places to live in Florida.
2. Bal Harbour
Bal Harbour is a luxurious city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It is known for its upscale hotels, boutiques, and restaurants.
In fact, the cost of living in Bal Harbour is 114% higher than the national average. Some of the most expensive real estates in Florida can be found in this city.
The city’s average household income is $77,005, and the median home value is $1,432,447. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages $2,895 per month.
What makes it so expensive? The city is located in Miami-Dade County, which is one of the most expensive counties in the country. Bal Harbour is home to a number of upscale hotels and resorts, which drive up prices for everyone.
Bal Harbour is an exclusive village located on a barrier island just north of Miami Beach. Long favored by celebrities and the wealthy, Bal Harbour is known for its luxury shops, five-star hotels, and high-end restaurants.
The city has a very low crime rate, which makes it an attractive place to live for people who can afford it.
3. Pinecrest
Pinecrest is a village in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The village is located in the southern part of the county, near Coral Gables and Miami. Pinecrest has a population of about 19,183 (2020) people and is one of the wealthiest villages in Florida.
The median household income in Pinecrest is over $164,419, and the median home value is over $1.6 million according to Zillow. Pinecrest is known for its luxury homes and upscale lifestyle.
Many of the village’s residents are executives, professionals, and business owners. Pinecrest is also home to some of the best schools in Florida, including Palmetto Elementary School and Miami Palmetto Senior High School.
What makes Pinecrest so expensive? To answer this, one must first consider what amenities and attractions are available in the village that make it such a desirable place to live.
Pinecrest is known for its excellent public schools. In fact, Niche ranks Pinecrest as the number one school district in Miami-Dade County. Families with school-age children are willing to pay a premium to live in a village with such highly-rated schools.
Pinecrest is also known for its safety. The village has its own police department that works hard to keep crime rates low. There is a strict code enforcement department that helps to keep homes and businesses up to code, which contributes to the feeling of safety in the village.
4. Key Biscayne
Situated on an island just off the coast of Miami, with its white-sand beaches, luxury hotels, and world-class golf courses, it’s no wonder that Key Biscayne is one of the most expensive places to live in Florida.
Key Biscayne is home to some of the wealthiest people in the state. The average home price in Key Biscayne is over $1.4 million, and the median income for residents is over $166,667.
But what really makes Key Biscayne so expensive is its limited supply of land. With only four square miles of land area, there’s simply not enough space to accommodate the demand from buyers and renters.
As a result, prices are driven up by the competition for scarce resources. Key Biscayne also has some of the highest property taxes in Florida, which can add up to thousands of dollars each year.
5. Surfside
Surfside is a town in Florida that is located on the Atlantic Coast. It is known for its beautiful beaches and its luxurious lifestyle. Surfside is also one of the most expensive cities in Florida, with a median home price of over $1 million.
The town is home to many celebrities and wealthy individuals, and it is also a popular tourist destination. Surfside is located just north of Miami Beach, and it is one of the most exclusive communities in Florida.
Surfside FL is one of the most expensive places to live in Florida. There are a number of factors that contribute to the high cost of living in Surfside. The town is located in Florida, which is one of the most popular states in the country.
This means that demand for housing is higher in Surfside than in other parts of the country. Surfside is a small town with limited land available for new construction. This lack of supply drives up prices even further.
Surfside is a desirable place to live, thanks to its beautiful beaches and year-round warm weather.
6. Key Largo
Key Largo is known for its crystal-clear waters and luxury resorts. Key Largo is a popular tourist destination, and the cost of living is high due to the demand for housing.
The average cost of a home in Key Largo is $1,033,055. The cost of living is also high due to the high demand for goods and services.
Key Largo is home to many wealthy residents, and the city has a reputation for being exclusive. There are few affordable housing options in Key Largo, and the city is not conducive to families with low incomes.
The public schools in Key Largo are among the best in the state, but they are also some of the most expensive. Private schools are an option for families who can afford them, but they are not as widely available as public schools.
What makes it so expensive? Key Largo is an exclusive island community located off the coast of Florida. The island is home to a number of luxury resorts, golf courses, and marinas, as well as a variety of upscale shops and restaurants.
Key Largo is also a popular destination for boaters and fishermen, due to its proximity to the Florida Keys Reef.
7. Southwest Ranches
Southwest Ranches is one of the most expensive cities in the state of Florida with a median home price of $1,127,516. The city is known for its luxury homes and equestrian properties.
Southwest Ranches is home to many celebrities and wealthy individuals. Some of the notable residents include Southwest Ranches was originally developed as a planned equestrian community. The city is home to many horse farms and ranches.
It is also home to the Everglades Equestrian Preserve, which is a protected area for horses. The city has several parks and recreation facilities, including the Southwest Ranches Sports Complex and the Southwest Ranches Community Center.
Why is Southwest Ranches so expensive? One reason is the town’s location. Southwest Ranches is situated on nearly 5,000 acres of land, making it one of the largest towns in Broward County.
The town is also bordered by two golf courses and several equestrian trails. The town’s schools are some of the best in the county.
8. Highland Beach
Highland Beach is an affluent town located in Palm Beach County, Florida. The town is known for its luxury homes and high cost of living. In fact, Highland Beach is often cited as the most expensive place to live in Florida.
The average home price in Highland Beach is over $1.1 million, and the cost of living is nearly 45.8% higher than in the rest of the state. Highland Beach is also home to some of the most exclusive private clubs and resorts in Florida.
What makes it expensive? With its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and lush tropical landscape, it’s no wonder that the area is so expensive.
But Highland Beach isn’t just a pretty face – it’s also a great place to live.
The town is home to a variety of upscale shops and restaurants, as well as top-rated schools and hospitals.
The town has a low crime rate and is just a short drive from major metropolitan areas like Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
9. Sunny Isles Beach
Nestled between North Miami Beach and Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach is a prime example of Florida’s opulent lifestyle. The area is home to some of the most expensive real estate in the state, with waterfront properties starting at around $5 million.
The cost of living in Sunny Isles Beach is significantly higher than in other cities in Florida, with the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment costing over $2,000 per month.
The median home price in Sunny Isles Beach is also well over $594,654. Despite the high cost of living, Sunny Isles Beach is a popular destination for tourists and retirees.
So what makes Sunny Isles Beach so expensive? The location is unbeatable. The beachfront properties offer stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, and the area is just a short drive from both Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Sunny Isles Beach is home to some of the best shopping and dining in the state. Whether you’re looking for designer fashion or fresh seafood, you’ll find it all here.
Even if you can’t afford to buy a property in Sunny Isles Beach, it’s still worth a visit. After all, where else can you find such luxury right on the beach?
10. Miami Beach
Miami Beach is the most expensive place in Florida. The average price for a home in Miami Beach is $450,764. The median household income in Miami Beach is $57,211. Miami Beach is a popular tourist destination, and it is also a great place to live.
The weather is warm and sunny all year round, and there are plenty of things to do in the city. There are many high-end shops and restaurants, as well as art galleries and museums.
Miami Beach is also home to a number of celebrities. Prices for everything from food and drink to accommodation and entertainment can be expensive.
What makes the high cost of living in Miami Beach? The city is located on a barrier island, which means that there is limited land available for development.
Miami Beach is a popular tourist destination, and many of the city’s residents work in the hospitality industry. As a result, there is significant demand for housing, and prices have been driven up accordingly.
The city is home to a number of exclusive neighborhoods, such as South Beach, which also contributes to the high cost of living.