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Cost of living guide

Cost of Living in Florida 2026

Published July 2026 · By LiveWhere

Florida has no state income tax, which helps explain why so many people move here. The cheapest county is rural Dixie County on the Gulf coast, at about $2,420 a month for a single person. The most expensive is Broward County near Fort Lauderdale, at about $3,847. The state average is about $3,061.

Rent sets the pace, averaging about $1,216 a month for a one-bedroom home. Coastal South Florida costs the most, while inland and northern counties cost far less. One cost the raw numbers hide is home insurance, which runs high across the state because of hurricane risk.

Florida's economy leans on tourism, so many jobs sit in service work. Rank all 67 counties in the table below, or check the cheapest places ranking for the wider picture. Every figure comes from official government data. See our methodology for the details.

Cheapest county
$2,420
Dixie County
State average
$3,061
per month
Avg. rent (1-bed)
$1,216
per month
Avg. income
$65,468
per year

All 67 counties in Florida, ranked by cost

Cheapest first, by estimated single-person monthly cost. The "vs avg" column compares each county to the Florida average.

Show all 67 counties

Monthly cost combines rent, utilities, groceries, transport, healthcare and taxes. See our methodology.

The 5 cheapest counties in Florida

The most affordable places, in detail.

#5. DeSoto County $2,553/mo

DeSoto County sits inland in south-central Florida, centered on Arcadia. Rent averages about $835 a month. Farming and ranching shape the local economy, well away from pricey coastal markets.

See the full DeSoto County profile

The 5 most expensive counties in Florida

Where costs run highest.

#1. Broward County

$3,847/mo

Broward County, home to Fort Lauderdale, is the priciest in Florida. Dense coastal demand keeps a one-bedroom rent near $1,929 a month.

#2. Monroe County

$3,766/mo

Monroe County is the Florida Keys, including Key West. Island living and scarce land push costs high, with rent near $1,903 a month.

#3. Miami-Dade County

$3,762/mo

Miami-Dade blends a global city with high housing demand. Wages here trail the priciest counties, with the average household earning about $68,694 a year.

#4. Palm Beach County

$3,761/mo

Palm Beach County stretches along the Atlantic north of Broward. Coastal demand keeps a one-bedroom rent near $1,830 a month.

#5. Seminole County

$3,649/mo

Seminole County sits just north of Orlando. Suburban demand near the theme-park economy lifts costs above most of the state.

The tax picture in Florida

Income, sales and property taxes.

Florida has no state income tax

Residents pay no state tax on wages, salaries or investment income.

State sales tax
6.00%
Combined sales tax
7.01%
incl. average local of 1.01%

Property taxes in Florida average about $1,885 a year across counties. They stay moderate, and a homestead exemption lowers the bill for primary residences.

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation.

Frequently asked questions about Florida

Common questions about cost of living, rent and taxes.

What is the cheapest place to live in Florida?

Dixie County is the cheapest place to live in Florida, at about $2,420 a month for a single person. A one-bedroom home there rents for about $711 a month. The figure covers rent, utilities, groceries, transport, healthcare and taxes.

What is the average cost of living in Florida?

The average cost of living in Florida is about $3,061 a month for a single person. Costs range from about $2,420 a month in Dixie County to about $3,847 a month in Broward County.

Is Florida an expensive state to live in?

The average monthly cost in Florida is about $3,061, about 6% above the national average of $2,882 a month. Steady demand from new arrivals keeps coastal Florida pricey, though northern and inland counties remain affordable.

What is the average rent in Florida?

The average one-bedroom rent in Florida is about $1,216 a month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data across all 67 counties. Rent ranges from about $711 to $1,929 a month.

Does Florida have state income tax?

No. Florida has no state income tax. Residents pay no state tax on wages, salaries or investment income.

Explore more

Rankings

Cheapest places to live

The most affordable counties in America, ranked.
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Compare two areas

Put any two counties side by side on cost, rent and taxes.
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Salary calculator

See your take-home pay in Florida.
State

All Florida data

Rent, taxes and earnings across Florida.

Use this research

Journalists, researchers and bloggers are welcome to cite and share this analysis. Please include a follow link back to this page when referencing our data. For bespoke analysis, expert comment, or high-resolution graphics, get in touch via our press office.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources.

  • U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates)
  • HUD Fair Market Rents
  • Energy Information Administration (EIA)
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
  • Tax Foundation state and local rates

LiveWhere presents data from official government sources. It does not provide financial, tax, or healthcare advice.

Methodology All data sources