Florida is the dream destination for many families across the U.S, and there is a good reason for it. It is the house of Disney world. It has the Kennedy Space Center. It has airboats, universal studios, alligators, and some of the best beaches in the whole world. Hence why so many tourists are attracted here too. Better yet, you can even find out what the best things to do are, online! Have a look at this great guide to the best family resorts in Florida Keys for an example of that! The stories and ratings of previous travelers are sure to send anyone willing to visit, in the right direction to the best bars, beaches, and shops. And that is also why so many people want to move here permanently. It all seems like an absolute dream come true. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to pack my bags call my local moving company head straight over to Florida. The only thing that is stopping me and many others who have the same idea from actually going through with it is reality. There are some aspects that we need to think about before we give in to our impulses. Living cost is the first major factor that often decides where we end up living or moving to. So, how expensive is it to live in Florida? In this article, we are going to break down all the living costs associated with Florida. Keep on reading to learn more.
Housing costs
Living cost is an amalgamation of several different commodities that are associated with daily life. Most of us need a house to call home. So, the cost of that house is a major factor that defines living cost. In Florida the average price of a listing in nearly $335,000. It is round about break even with the national average. So, the price of real estate in Florida is not outrageous by any means. When it comes to renting, you can expect to pay upwards of $1200 if you want to rent a 2-bedroom apartment again, this is not much higher than the national average.
Cost of Utilities
Utility costs make up for a sizeable chunk of our monthly expenses. It is also a very important factor when it comes to living costs. The utility cost in Florida, in general, is about 2% lower than the national average. And you’re going to have to have to put that air conditioner on some overtime because it’s hot in Florida. If you don’t have an air conditioner installed in your home, you will probably need to get one for the summer. Perhaps it might be worth looking for Goodman Air Conditioners from your local HVAC wholesaler. That could then be installed, allowing you to cool your home down in summer.
Cost of Groceries
This is one factor that has some drastic fluctuation depending on which area of Florida you are in. In Daytona Beach, the general cost is about 4% lower than the national average, but if you are in Miami, then this cost goes up by 11% compared to the national average. So, it’s going to cost you a little more to have the luxury of just walking to the beach for a good time with a picnic basket in your hand.
Transportation and Healthcare
Again, it depends on where in Florida, you decide to move to. There is a contrast between the cost of living when it comes to transportation and healthcare. If you want to make your transportation easier, you may want to bring your car with you. It’s safe to cost to ship a vehicle. This will help you decide and plan out your car transport. If you are in Jacksonville, then you will get a 14% discount on transportation and a 16% discount on healthcare, but if you are in Sarasota, you will have to pay 13% more than the national average for transportation and nearly 10% more for healthcare. So, be careful when choosing the area, you are going to move to.
Taxes
Last but not least, taxes. Apparently, you can’t escape death and taxes. Well, nobody told Florida that because they have a 0% income tax rate. Yes, you don’t have to pay anything in taxes out of your paycheck. That’s amazing, really.
In conclusion, the cost of living in Florida is pretty reasonable. Considering all the perks that you get it is a good deal. We hope that this article helps you make up your mind if you are thinking about moving to Florida. Best of luck!
