How Much Salary You Need as a Single Person in These 25 Florida Cities
Written by
Nicole Spector
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Florida has a lot of good things going for it. It’s got beautiful beaches, lots of sunny days, happening cultural scenes in its major metros and no state income tax.
Though the cost of living in Florida is a tad lower than the national average (2% lower, according to RentCafe), Florida isn’t exactly “cheap” — and certain aspects of Floridian life are getting more expensive. For example, the average Florida home value is $394,728 — up 1.1% year over year.
If you’ve been thinking about moving to Florida or relocating to a different city in The Sunshine State, you may be wondering how much you need to get by there as a single person. And, separately, you may be wondering how much you need to live in Florida comfortably — a keyword, especially if you’re retired.
In a new study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities in Florida to find the salary needed for a single person. Using the 50/30/20 rule that says needs should not exceed 50% of the household income, the total cost of living was doubled to find the salary needed to get by and to live comfortably in each Florida city as a single person. The 25 most affordable cities are sorted below, with the No. 1 city being the one where you need to make the least.
25. Riviera Beach
- Household median income: $57,851
- Total annual cost of living: $47,659
- Salary needed to survive: $47,659
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $95,317
24. Lehigh Acres
- Household median income: $59,733
- Total annual cost of living: $46,916
- Salary needed to survive: $46,916
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $93,831
23. Palm Coast
- Household median income: $68,824
- Total annual cost of living: $46,740
- Salary needed to survive: $46,740
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $93,479
22. Poinciana
- Household median income: $60,928
- Total annual cost of living: $46,583
- Salary needed to survive: $46,583
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $93,166
21. Port Orange
- Household median income: $65,026
- Total annual cost of living: $46,567
- Salary needed to survive: $46,567
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $93,134
20. North Fort Myers
- Household median income: $53,705
- Total annual cost of living: $46,338
- Salary needed to survive: $46,338
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $92,676
19. North Port
- Household median income: $78,815
- Total annual cost of living: $45,672
- Salary needed to survive: $45,672
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $91,343
18. Plant City
- Household median income: $62,015
- Total annual cost of living: $45,671
- Salary needed to survive: $45,671
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $91,343
17. Spring Hill
- Household median income: $61,588
- Total annual cost of living: $45,465
- Salary needed to survive: $45,465
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $90,931
16. Pinellas Park
- Household median income: $62,306
- Total annual cost of living: $45,411
- Salary needed to survive: $45,411
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $90,823
15. Deland
- Household median income: $71,439
- Total annual cost of living: $45,273
- Salary needed to survive: $45,273
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $90,545
14. Pine Hills
- Household median income: $49,474
- Total annual cost of living: $44,448
- Salary needed to survive: $44,448
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $88,895
13. Deltona
- Household median income: $69,074
- Total annual cost of living: $43,971
- Salary needed to survive: $43,971
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $87,941
12. Jacksonville
- Household median income: $64,138
- Total annual cost of living: $43,481
- Salary needed to survive: $43,481
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $86,963
11. Gainesville
- Household median income: $43,783
- Total annual cost of living: $43,394
- Salary needed to survive: $43,394
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $86,789
10. Lakeland
- Household median income: $58,290
- Total annual cost of living: $43,156
- Salary needed to survive: $43,156
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $86,312
9. Palm Bay
- Household median income: $62,538
- Total annual cost of living: $42,801
- Salary needed to survive: $42,801
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $85,601
8. Tallahassee
- Household median income: $52,899
- Total annual cost of living: $41,926
- Salary needed to survive: $41,926
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $83,853
7. Port Charlotte
- Household median income: $58,799
- Total annual cost of living: $41,679
- Salary needed to survive: $41,679
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $83,358
6. Winter Haven
- Household median income: $56,425
- Total annual cost of living: $41,652
- Salary needed to survive: $41,652
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $83,305
5. Fort Pierce
- Household median income: $45,121
- Total annual cost of living: $41,642
- Salary needed to survive: $41,642
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $83,284
4. Daytona Beach
- Household median income: $47,608
- Total annual cost of living: $41,077
- Salary needed to survive: $41,077
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $82,154
3. Titusville
- Household median income: $56,700
- Total annual cost of living: $41,020
- Salary needed to survive: $41,020
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $82,040
2. Ocala
- Household median income: $50,618
- Total annual cost of living: $39,570
- Salary needed to survive: $39,570
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $79,139
1. Pensacola
- Household median income: $67,722
- Total annual cost of living: $38,847
- Salary needed to survive: $38,847
- Salary needed to live comfortably: $77,695
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities in Florida to find the salary needed as a single person. First, GOBankingRates found cities in Florida using the U.S. Census American Community Survey. For each city, a number of factors were found including; total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, and household median income all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. Using this data, the percentage of the population ages 65 and over can be calculated. The cost of living indexes were sourced from Sperlings BestPlaces and include the grocery, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation and miscellaneous cost of living indexes. Using the cost of living indexes and the national average expenditure costs for single person, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for a single person, the expenditure cost for each location can be calculated. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for August 2024. Using the average single-family home value, assuming a 10% downpayment, and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage can be calculated. Using the average mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of living can be calculated. Using the 50/30/20 rule that states that needs should not exceed 50% of the household income, the total cost of living was doubled to find the salary needed to get by and to live comfortably in each Florida city as a single person. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Sept. 26, 2024.
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