10 Most Popular Florida Cities to Relocate to in 2023

Tyler Wood

Last Updated: Nov 7, 2024
11 min read

With some of the most significant cultural hubs in the United States, no individual income tax, beautiful beaches, and plenty of entertainment, it’s easy to see why Florida’s cities are so appealing for people relocating to the state.

There are plenty of great cities in Florida beyond the obvious ones (like Miami and Orlando), each with its own particular charms.

So which Florida cities are the most popular right now to move to?

To determine the best cities to live in Florida, we gathered some data on the quality of life in some of the most popular ones to help anyone considering moving to the “Sunshine State.”

Are you already planning your move? Use our moving estimate calculator to ensure you get the best relocation deal.

So let’s jump in and see the 10 most popular cities with populations greater than 50,000 in Florida.

The 10 most popular Florida cities to move to

Ready to make the move to Florida? here are the most popular Florida cities to move to! From spots with stunning beaches to city nightlife, there’s something for everyone.

Once you decide where you want to move to, get free moving estimates to figure out what your move will cost. If you’re coming from out of state, check out our guide to the best interstate movers. If you want to save some money on your move, consider hiring a moving container company where you duo the packing and unloading, but the pros do the driving for you!

10. Pembroke Pines, FL

Population: 166,530

Nestled between Fort Lauderdale and Miami in Broward County, this urban delight is known for its beautiful beaches, plentiful coffee shops, and above-average school district. The city also has 28 parks and exquisitely landscaped city streets. Culturally diverse, Pembroke Pines (known as just “The Pines” to locals) offers plenty of residential businesses, shopping areas, and nature and art centers.

Snapshot of Pembroke Pines

Average home price: $465,476
Average rent: $1,813
Crime rating: 32 out of 100
Cost of living: High, 9th highest in Florida

Pros and cons of moving to Pembroke Pines

Pros

Small-town and urban feel
Close to some of Florida’s best beaches
Commutable to Ft. Lauderdale and Miami
Better performing school district compared to other Florida cities
Low sales tax

Cons

High cost of living
High population
5.7% unemployment rate

As one of Florida’s fastest growing cities, Pembroke Pines has a lot of appeal, not just for young families looking for a great public school district but for a wide range of ages. Real estate pricing is high — even a condo costs around half a million. However, finding an affordable rental is possible, making it one of the best places to live for singles or young professionals. And its proximity to Miami’s nightlife allows for the best of both worlds.

9. Cape Coral, FL

Population: 173,679

About 22 minutes from Fort Myers and known as the “Waterfront Wonderland,” Cape Coral is one of the best places to live in Florida primarily due to its low cost of living, plentiful activities, and modest crime rate. With some of the top-rated golf courses in the world, 400 miles of canals, 30 recreational state parks, beautiful beaches, water parks, and boating clubs, families and retirees are the demographic that is moving to Cape Coral.

Snapshot of Cape Coral

Average home price: $380,889
Average rent: $1,530
Crime rating: 42 out of 100
Cost of living: 13th highest in Florida

Pros and cons of moving to Cape Coral

Pros

Plenty of activities for families
Great for nature lovers
2.4% unemployment rate
Lower than average crime rate for Florida

Cons

Hurricanes
Poor public transportation
Heavy traffic
Uncompetitive salaries

Popular among retirees, and young families, this beach town is consistently voted one of the best places to live in Florida for many reasons. If being near the Gulf of Mexico doesn’t float your boat, Cape Coral is also dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of its beautiful green spaces. While warm weather all year round does sound nice, keep in mind that Cape Coral is prone to hurricane season and hot and humid weather.

8. Port St Lucie, FL

Population: 178,778

More rural than most cities on our list, Port St. Lucie has a relaxed atmosphere and generally appeals to young professionals and retirees. Situated between Miami and Orlando, Port St. Lucie is known for its quiet neighborhoods and clean streets. The city boasts plenty of outdoor activities like golf and racquetball and is the designated spring training spot for the Mets. Although housing is a little more affordable in the area, the cost of eating out is slightly higher than in other comparable regions.

Snapshot of Port St Lucie

Average home price: $385,488
Average rent: $1,820
Crime rating: 54 out of 100
Cost of living: 19th highest in Florida

Pros and cons of moving to Port St Lucie

Pros

More affordable than other areas
Quiet living
2.6% unemployment rate
Lower crime rate

Cons

Hurricanes
No real downtown area
Higher property tax rate than other comparable areas
Lack of high-paying jobs

Port St. Lucie not having a downtown area may not seem like a big deal. But if you are someone who enjoys walking around a busy city where there are plenty of residential businesses and restaurants close together, it could be an issue. On the upside, the city has some of the best hospitals, medical care in Florida, and high-performing school districts.

7. Coral Gables, FL

Population: 50,909

One of the oldest cities in Dade County, Coral Gables is a university town and holds the main campus (Coral Gables Campus) for Miami University. The city boasts beautiful architecture, green spaces, and plenty of historical sites. However, it doesn’t have a beach, so you have to drive to Miami to get to one. While you’re not paying state income tax, home prices are pretty high, and the cost of living is rising.

Snapshot of Coral Gables

Average home price: $1,269,165
Average rent: $2,763
Crime rating: 17 out of 100
Cost of living: 53rd highest in Florida

Pros and cons of moving to Coral Gables

Pros

Located near Miami
Plenty of places to grab a coffee or take a walk
1.8% unemployment rate
Lower cost of living than other Florida cities

Cons

No beach (expect to travel to Miami)
Unreliable public transportation
Expensive housing
Highly competitive job market for job seekers

With a low population and highly rated school district, Coral Gables is perfect for young professionals and families. However, the median home price is high, so you may be better off renting. A suburb of Miami, you can enjoy quiet living and take advantage of a hot nightlife that’s only 28 minutes away.

6. West Palm Beach, FL

Population: 106,805

Family-friendly sandy beaches dot the coast of this South Florida city that sits an hour and a half from Miami and 30 minutes from Boca Raton. Known for its lively nightlife and robust economy, West Palm Beach attracts a wide range of people, from families to retirees to young professionals. West Palm Beach job seekers are in a better position than many, especially if you work in healthcare, the city’s largest industry. The town also has reliable public transportation and three free trolley routes.

Snapshot of West Palm Beach

Average home price: $405,534
Average rent: $2,763
Crime rating: 5 out of 100
Cost of living: 11th highest in Florida

Pros and cons of moving to West Palm Beach

Pros

A hopping nightlife
Beautiful beaches
2.6% unemployment rate
Good public transportation

Cons

Prone to hurricanes
High insurance rates
Higher crime rate than other Florida cities

With a strong job market and plenty to do, West Palm Beach has a lot of appeal. If you are thinking of moving on your own or your family to a bustling diverse city, then West Palm might be right for you.

5. Gainesville, FL

Population: 129,394

Gainesville is the largest city in North Central Florida and is one of the most affordable cities to move to in Florida. With an active nightlife, a suburban and urban feel, and plenty of green spaces and natural beauty, this gem of a city appeals to everyone.

Snapshot of Gainesville

Average home price: $292,270
Average rent: $1,100
Crime rating: 6 out of 100
Cost of living: 124th highest in Florida

Pros and cons of moving to Gainesville

Pros

A hopping nightlife
Affordable cost of living
2.4% unemployment rate
Plenty of parks and outdoor activities

Cons

More than an hour to a beach
High property taxes
Higher crime rate than other Florida cities

If you dream of moving to Florida to be right on the beach, there may be better options than Gainesville. Flagler Beach, the closest sand beach to the city is an hour and a half drive. But with an affordable cost of living, and low unemployment rate compared to other cities, driving to a beach may seem like a small deal.

4. Miami Beach, FL

Population: 92,187

One of the most densely populated cities on the Atlantic Coast, there are plenty of reasons people find moving to Miami appealing. Hosting one of the largest Spanish-speaking populations in the U.S., Miami is full of rich cultural diversity expressed in its art, music, and food scene. With a laid-back lifestyle and a hot job market, this big city is home to families, retirees, and young adults.

Snapshot of Miami Beach

Average home price: $553,743
Average rent: $2,864
Crime rating: 1 out of 100
Cost of living: 3rd highest in Florida

Pros and cons of moving to Miami Beach

Pros

A hopping nightlife
Beautiful beaches
1.8% unemployment rate
Plenty of parks and outdoor activities

Cons

High cost of living
Lots of traffic
Higher crime rate than other Florida cities
Busy tourist season

Also known as the “Magic City,” Miami is not for everyone, especially if you yearn for a quieter lifestyle. But a booming job market, spectacular sunsets, fairly dependable public transportation, and a thriving art and culture scene are within easy reach if you are okay with a bustling city. Getting there doesn’t have to be difficult, either. Priscilla recently moved to Miami from Brooklyn, NY, and shared her experience with us.

3. Fort Lauderdale, FL

Population: 177,175

If you want to move to one of the best places to live in Florida and love a healthy lifestyle, consider Fort Lauderdale. With a lower cost of living than Miami, Fort Lauderdale has tons of gyms and 23 miles of beautiful beaches. It’s also home to Port Everglades, where all the major cruise ships port. If you want access to great health facilities, Fort Lauderdale has you covered. If you are a job seeker, this could also be the city for you as Fort Lauderdale added more than 32,000 jobs last year, a stunning 4.2% increase.

Snapshot of Fort Lauderdale

Average home price: $524,274
Average rent: $2,000
Crime rating: 3 out of 100
Cost of living: 22nd highest in Florida

Pros and cons of moving to Fort Lauderdale

Pros

Family-friendly
Beautiful beaches, parks, and outdoor activities
2.3% unemployment rate
Excellent transit system

Cons

High cost of living
Lots of traffic
7% sales tax rate
Busy tourist season

With a rising job market, a good quality of life, and dependable public transportation, the beach city of Fort Lauderdale is one of the best places to live for families and young professionals to consider moving to. The public transportation system in the metro area is so good you may even be able to ditch your car. Unless, of course, you want to drive to Orlando and visit Walt Disney World, which is around three hours away.

2. Tallahassee, FL

Population: 188,463

Tucked up on the Gulf Coast and around three hours from the Georgia state line, Tallahassee, Florida’s state capital, is one of the most affordable and most educated areas in Florida. It is a college town with both Florida A&M University and Florida State University in the city limits. There are no beaches in Tallahassee, so you’ll have to drive around 30 minutes to enjoy some waves. However, it does have an exciting nightlife and plenty of green spaces to enjoy.

Snapshot of Tallahassee

Average home price: $274,738
Average rent: $1,025
Crime rating: 6 out of 100
Cost of living: 125th out of 125 in Florida

Pros and cons of moving to Tallahassee

Pros

Family-friendly
Affordability
2.5% unemployment rate
Excellent transit system

Cons

Limited transit system
Lots of traffic
Hot and humid weather

While the government is the major employer in Tallahassee (being the capitol), you can expect to find jobs in other industries like technology, healthcare, and higher education. Many families and young professionals move to this part of Florida’s panhandle for its low crime rate, job opportunities, and education system. However, you will probably need to keep your car in order to get around.

1. Lehigh Acres, FL

Population: 116,849

A diverse and populated city, Lehigh Acres makes the list as one of the best places to live in Florida due primarily due to its affordability. While home buyers won’t get sticker shock when house hunting, bear in mind that the nearest beach is about a 45 minutes drive.

Lehigh Acres also has a high poverty rate of 17.2%, which is higher than the national average when compared to other cities in the U.S. However, the cost of living, combined with a good education system and a low crime rate, make it worth the move.

Snapshot of Lehigh Acres

Average home price: $261,114
Average rent: $950
Crime rating: 35 out of 100
Cost of living: LOW

Pros and cons of moving to Lehigh Acres

Pros

Family-friendly
Affordable housing
Low crime rate

Cons

High poverty rate
4.6% unemployment rate (lower than the national average but higher than other Florida cities)
Declining population

With ample ponds, lakes, and canals for fishing, a low crime rate, and a low cost of living rate, LeHigh Acres is good for families or retirees looking for affordable housing who don’t need to be right next to an oceanside sand beach. However, if you are excited about taking your family to Walt Disney World, expect to drive around three hours for a day at this world-famous theme park.

Moving from California? See our guide for How Much it Costs to Move From California to Florida.
Moving from New York? See our guide for How Much it Costs to Move From New York to Florida.

Our methodology and other options in Florida:

We did in depth research on each of these most popular Florida cities, so you don’t have to. We turned to trusted sources to gather information on cost of living calculations, home prices, and rent prices, so you can quickly see which areas meet your budget needs. We also scoured top sites to break down crime stats, unemployment rates, and population statistics so you can make an informed decision on which place you want to call home.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the different places you can choose to live in Florida. Honorable mentions include Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Naples, and Pensacola. There are also some great options on the Space Coast if you love innovation. Consider places like Melbourne and Cocoa Beach in this area.

Learn more about the most common places people move to Florida — including St. Petersburg. Once you have an idea of where you want to move, get free estimates on how much your move will cost to start the moving process.