10 Best Places to Live in Florida

Figuring out where to live in the Sunshine State

Florida, or the “Sunshine State,” is a popular destination for vacationers, retirees and anyone seeking a pleasant place to live. Even Taylor Swift called it out more than once in her 2024 album. 

With gorgeous beaches, mild winters, multiple theme parks and no state income tax, Florida has a lot to offer new residents. But which city is the best place to call home? 

Check out our list of 10 fabulous Florida towns to start your search. 

10 coolest places to live in Florida

We looked at the U.S. News and World Report Rankings for Best Places to Live, “Best Places to Retire” and “Fastest-growing Places.” We also consulted BestPlaces and considered educational and job opportunities while making our list. 

1. Naples

Naples ranked first on the “Best Places to Live” list for 2024. It is a tropical paradise between the Gulf of Mexico and the Everglades, a two-hour drive from the larger cities of Tampa and Miami. 

The luxurious destination is popular among wealthy retirees. It has a resort-like feel in a smaller town and was No. 28 on the “Best Places to Retire” list and No. 12 on the “Fastest-Growing Places” list. 

Population: 19,115* 
Climate: The hot, wet season is from May to October, with highs around 92 degrees, and the mild, dry season is from November to April, with highs around 74 degrees. 
Job prospects: Construction, education, healthcare, manufacturing and tourism 
Known for: Golf courses, gorgeous homes and white sand beaches 

2. Fort Myers

Fort Myers is situated on the Gulf Coast between Tampa and Miami. It ranks first on the “Fastest-Growing Places" list, with its estimated population nearing 100,000. 

The “City of Palms” is a popular tourist destination with white sand beaches, waterways and gorgeous flora. Locals and tourists love visiting Cabbage Key’s historic inn, which is papered with over 70,000 autographed dollar bills that stay up until they fall. (Don’t worry — fallen money is donated to charity!) 

It ranked No. 37 on “Best Places to Live” and No. 57 on “Best Places to Retire.” 

Population: 86,395* (835,000 metro) 
Climate: Hot, humid summers typically reach highs of around 92 degrees. Winter lows rarely drop below 45 degrees. The subtropical climate means frequent summer thunderstorms with annual rainfall averaging 54 inches. 
Job prospects: Government, healthcare and hospitality 
Known for: Bird watching, kayaking and shelling 

3. Miami

Many people think of Miami when they think of Florida. The “Bad Boys” movie series and television shows like “Dexter,” “CSI: Miami,” “Golden Girls” and “Burn Notice” were set there.  

The city ranked second on the “Fastest-Growing Places” list for 2024, behind only Phoenix, Arizona. It’s the second-largest city in Florida, behind Jacksonville. Miami is located on the southeastern coast of the state. 

The vibrant nightlife in Miami is influenced by Cuban culture and eclectic fine arts. 

Other list ranks include No. 123 on “Best Places to Live” and No. 82 on “Best Places to Retire”. 

Population: 442,241* (6.1 million metro) 
Climate: Yearly temperatures typically range from 61 to 89 degrees, and the city gets almost 60 inches of rain annually. 
Job prospects: Construction, finance, tourism and trade 
Known for: Beaches, live music and nightlife 

4. Sarasota

The town of Sarasota is on the state's west coast, and it’s the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to the white sand beaches, there are coastal plains and woodlands nearby, with trails and parks for exploring on foot or by bicycle. 

Sarasota is only 60 miles south of Tampa for people who enjoy day trips to larger cities. It ranked No. 10 on “Fastest-Growing Places,” No. 11 on “Best Places to Live,” and No. 18 on “Best Places to Retire.” 

Population: 54,842* (834,000 metro) 
Climate: Sarasota experiences mild winters and hot summers with approximately 56 inches of rain per year.  
Job prospects: Healthcare, hospitality and manufacturing 
Known for: Beachy ambiance, food and performing arts  

5. Pensacola

On the Florida Panhandle lies Pensacola. It’s the location of the first United States Naval Air Station, known for the Blue Angels flight demonstration team and the National Naval Aviation Museum. 

First settled in the 1550s, Pensacola is nicknamed “The City of Five Flags” due to the number of governments that have ruled the land since its founding.  

Pensacola ranked No. 31 on “Best Places to Live” and No. 30 on “Best Places to Retire.” 

Population: 54,312* (510,000 metro) 
Climate: The average summer temperature is around 74 degrees, and winter temperatures stay above 50. The city gets around 64 inches of rain per year.  
Job prospects: Defense, finance, healthcare, hospitality and technology 
Known for: Emerald green waters, sunsets and white sand beaches  

6. Tallahassee 

The state capital of Tallahassee is the eighth-most populous city in Florida and ranked No. 5 on the “Fastest-Growing Places.” Home to three colleges, the town has multiple cultural activities, nightlife and college sporting events. 

Florida’s capital is biologically diverse, with old forests and various wildlife calling the area home. Look for alligators, manatees, assorted birds and the Florida panther. 

Tallahassee ranked No. 75 on “Best Places to Live” and No. 63 on “Best Places to Retire.” 

Population: 196,169* (391,000 metro) 
Climate: Yearly temperatures generally stay between 39 and 90 degrees, and the area gets just under 60 inches of rain annually. 
Job prospects: Education, government, health services and research 
Known for: Being a college town, seasonal weather and Southern Heritage 

7. Orlando

Just about everyone has heard of Orlando or the “Theme Park Capital of the World.” As the location for theme parks like Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios Florida and SeaWorld Orlando, the city is a year-round tourist destination and ranked No. 9 on the “Fastest-Growing Places.” 

If natural parks are more your speed, Orlando has over 140 parks, gardens and recreation areas for residents to enjoy the outdoors. 

You’ll also find the University of Central Florida, where you can cheer on the UCF Knights sports teams. For pro sports, look for Orlando Magic (NBA) and Orlando City SC (MLS). 

Orlando ranked No. 68 on “Best Places to Live” and No. 24 on “Best Places to Retire.” 

Population: 307,573* (2.7 million metro) 
Climate: The city has a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Expect around 52 inches of rain annually and year-round temperatures ranging from 49 to 92 degrees.  
Job prospects: Education, finance, game design, healthcare and hospitality 
Known for: Theme parks, nightclubs and 1920s “City Beautiful” architecture 

8. Jacksonville

Located in northeast Florida along the Atlantic Ocean, the most populous city in the state ranked No. 56 on “Best Places to Live” and No. 29 on “Best Places to Retire.” With nearly a million people, it was the 10th-largest city in the United States in 2023.  

The neighborhoods are culturally diverse, offering a wide variety of activities for residents and tourists alike, from outdoor adventures to a thriving arts and music scene. 

Population: 949,611* (1.7 million metro) 
Climate: Jacksonville has a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Sunshine is common, but so are summer thunderstorms. The town averages 50 inches of rain annually, with year-round temperatures ranging from 44 to 91 degrees.  
Job prospects: Education, government, healthcare, hospitality and sports merchandising 
Known for: Beaches, fresh seafood and vibrant atmosphere 

9. Ocala

Often called “The Horse Capital of the World,” Ocala is home to over 400 thoroughbred horse farms and training centers. Ranked No. 6 on the “Fastest-Growing Places” list, the town manages its growth well while maintaining its Victorian roots. 

Home to Ocala National Forest and multiple state parks, locals love spending time outdoors. Ocala ranked No. 78 on “Best Places to Live” and No. 26 on “Best Places to Retire.”  
 
Population: 63,591* (396,000 metro) 
Climate: Although it's not a coastal town, Ocala enjoys the same subtropical climate as many other cities in Florida, with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Yearly temperatures typically stay between 43 and 93 degrees, and rainfall reaches around 52 inches annually. 
Job prospects: Business, distribution and equestrian science 
Known for: Contemporary art, state parks and thoroughbred horses 

10. Tampa

Tampa is popular for people who want a beach lifestyle with the appeal of a larger metro area comprised of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. The population has increased in the last decade, securing Tampa’s spot as No. 13 on the “Fastest-Growing Places” list. 

“Cigar City” boasted over 500 million hand-rolled cigars produced during its peak year of 1929. Though cigar manufacturing is no longer a large part of the economy, the Tampa job market is strong. The city ranked No. 35 on “Best Places to Live” and No. 12 on “Best Places to Retire.” 

Population: 384,959* (3.2 million metro) 
Climate: Hurricanes can affect the area, but thunderstorms and tropical storms are more common. Annual rainfall is around 51 inches. Temperatures typically stay between 52 and 90 degrees. 
Job prospects: Education, government, healthcare and hospitality 
Known for: Busch Gardens, cigar history and phosphate production 

Honorable mentions: other pretty places to live in Florida 

These three cities didn’t quite make our top 10, but they’re beautiful places worth considering.

Port St. Lucie

Population: 204,851* (488,000 metro) 
No. 83 on “Best Places to Live,” No. 3 on “Fastest-Growing Places,” and No. 49 on “Best Places to Retire.”

Daytona Beach 

Population: 72,442* (667,000 metro) 
No. 96 on “Best Places to Live,” No. 4 on “Fastest-Growing Places,” and No. 8 on “Best Places to Retire.”

Lakeland 

Population: 112,641* (725,000 metro) 
No. 80 on “Best Places to Live,” No. 18 on “Fastest-Growing Places” and No. 22 on “Best Places to Retire.” 

*From the 2020 U.S. Census 

Ready to move to Florida with U-Pack? 

U-Pack® can help you move to almost any place in “The Sunshine State” from any of our service areas. Request a free quote online today or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a friendly and helpful moving consultant. We’ll help you find a stress-free solution to relocate to Florida so you can start soaking up the sunshine. 

Do you have a favorite place to visit in Florida? Let us know in the comments.