Raising a Family in Florida: Here’s the Living Wage for a Family of 4 in 50 Major Cities

Families of four have a lot of expenses to juggle monthly, and many families set their sights on moving to Florida to save money in a warm climate. Where can they move to in Florida where it’s possible to raise a family without going into debt?

To find the answer to this question, GOBankingRates analyzed key factors in 50 cities across Florida. These factors include the average home value for January 2024, average rent cost, average mortgage, cost of living indexes, average expenditure costs and livability index. The cost of living indexes were used to calculate average expenditure costs for each city. These costs were combined with the rent to find the total cost of living for a renter. For homeowners, average expenditure costs were combined with the mortgage cost for the total cost of living.

Read on to find out the total cost of living a family of four should anticipate in 50 Florida cities, as sorted from most to least expensive.

• Total population: 73,329
• Total households: 32,216
• Livability: 76
• Median household income: $47,608
• January 2024 home value: $287,437
• Average mortgage: $1,690
• January 2024 average rent cost: $1,588
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,521
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,211
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,109
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $50,530
• Renter annual cost of living: $49,307

• Total population: 63,913
• Total households: 26,838
• Livability: 62
• Median household income: $58,799
• January 2024 home value: $321,306
• Average mortgage: $1,889
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,074
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,428
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,317
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,502
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $51,804
• Renter annual cost of living: $54,020

• Total population: 121,513
• Total households: 42,865
• Livability: 72
• Median household income: $62,538
• January 2024 home value: $310,307
• Average mortgage: $1,824
• January 2024 average rent cost: $1,910
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,525
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,349
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,435
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $52,187
• Renter annual cost of living: $53,218

• Total population: 114,404
• Total households: 44,323
• Livability: 74
• Median household income: $58,290
• January 2024 home value: $317,852
• Average mortgage: $1,869
• January 2024 average rent cost: $1,766
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,520
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,389
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,286
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $52,663
• Renter annual cost of living: $51,435

• Total population: 950,203
• Total households: 375,851
• Livability: 80
• Median household income: $64,138
• January 2024 home value: $299,317
• Average mortgage: $1,760
• January 2024 average rent cost: $1,600
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,654
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,414
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,254
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $52,969
• Renter annual cost of living: $51,053

• Total population: 198,259
• Total households: 81,846
• Livability: 82
• Median household income: $52,899
• January 2024 home value: $288,235
• Average mortgage: $1,695
• January 2024 average rent cost: $1,448
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,721
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,416
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,169
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $52,993
• Renter annual cost of living: $50,031

• Total population: 94,373
• Total households: 32,777
• Livability: 68
• Median household income: $69,074
• January 2024 home value: $300,905
• Average mortgage: $1,769
• January 2024 average rent cost: $1,868
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,670
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,439
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,538
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $53,269
• Renter annual cost of living: $54,456

• Total population: 83,221
• Total households: 23,083
• Livability: 70
• Median household income: $49,474
• January 2024 home value: $275,272
• Average mortgage: $1,618
• January 2024 average rent cost: $1,878
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,866
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,484
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,744
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $53,814
• Renter annual cost of living: $56,932

• Total population: 142,414
• Total households: 55,193
• Livability: 80
• Median household income: $43,783
• January 2024 home value: $309,666
• Average mortgage: $1,821
• January 2024 average rent cost: $1,577
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,741
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,562
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,318
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $54,739
• Renter annual cost of living: $51,815

• Total population: 116,882
• Total households: 44,625
• Livability: 62
• Median household income: $61,588
• January 2024 home value: $309,405
• Average mortgage: $1,819
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,012
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,793
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,612
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,805
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $55,347
• Renter annual cost of living: $57,656

• Total population: 76,975
• Total households: 30,129
• Livability: 74
• Median household income: $78,815
• January 2024 home value: $347,517
• Average mortgage: $2,043
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,148
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,633
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,676
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,781
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $56,116
• Renter annual cost of living: $57,371

• Total population: 91,082
• Total households: 35,961
• Livability: 66
• Median household income: 68,824
• January 2024 home value: $349,734
• Average mortgage: $2,056
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,016
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,638
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,695
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,654
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $56,336
• Renter annual cost of living: $55,848

• Total population: 84,982
• Total households: 35,438
• Livability: 78
• Median household income: $60,917
• January 2024 home value: $382,218
• Average mortgage: $2,247
• January 2024 average rent cost: $1,904
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,482
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,729
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,386
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $56,753
• Renter annual cost of living: $52,635

• Total population: 69,311
• Total households: 21,284
• Livability: 54
• Median household income: $60,928
• January 2024 home value: $304,751
• Average mortgage: $1,792
• January 2024 average rent cost: $1,901
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,989
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,781
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,890
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $57,373
• Renter annual cost of living: $58,679

• Total population: 124,440
• Total households: 37,538
• Livability: 57
• Median household income: $59,733
• January 2024 home value: $312,991
• Average mortgage: $1,840
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,125
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,956
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,796
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,081
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $57,557
• Renter annual cost of living: $60,977

• Total population: 79,108
• Total households: 46,009
• Livability: 69
• Median household income: $73,415
• January 2024 home value: $402,599
• Average mortgage: $2,367
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,467
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,530
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,897
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,996
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $58,759
• Renter annual cost of living: $59,955

• Total population: 114,923
• Total households: 44,836
• Livability: 84
• Median household income: $71,156
• January 2024 home value: $361,952
• Average mortgage: $2,128
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,030
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,769
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,897
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,799
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $58,765
• Renter annual cost of living: $57,588

• Total population: 82,541
• Total households: 36,972
• Livability: 81
• Median household income: $56,266
• January 2024 home value: $380,107
• Average mortgage: $2,235
• January 2024 average rent cost: $1,741
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,696
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,930
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,437
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $59,164
• Renter annual cost of living: $53,243

• Total population: 388,768
• Total households: 157,066
• Livability: 80
• Median household income: $66,802
• January 2024 home value: $382,736
• Average mortgage: $2,250
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,146
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,691
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,941
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,837
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $59,292
• Renter annual cost of living: $58,044

• Total population: 78,478
• Total households: 24,291
• Livability: 79
• Median household income: $45,319
• January 2024 home value: $384,858
• Average mortgage: $2,263
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,133
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,732
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $4,995
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,866
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $59,942
• Renter annual cost of living: $58,388

• Total population: 89,456
• Total households: 33,379
• Livability: 76
• Median household income: $63,947
• January 2024 home value: $380,936
• Average mortgage: $2,240
• January 2024 average rent cost: $1,880
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,796
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,036
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,676
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $60,426
• Renter annual cost of living: $56,108

• Total population: 116,984
• Total households: 49,592
• Livability: 81
• Median household income: $59,358
• January 2024 home value: $399,404
• Average mortgage: $2,348
• January 2024 average rent cost: $1,982
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,706
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,054
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,688
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $60,645
• Renter annual cost of living: $56,253

• Total population: 102,467
• Total households: 35,948
• Livability: 78
• Median household income: $87,383
• January 2024 home value: $387,179
• Average mortgage: $2,276
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,232
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,811
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,088
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,043
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $61,050
• Renter annual cost of living: $60,520

• Total population: 307,738
• Total households: 122,607
• Livability: 82
• Median household income: $66,292
• January 2024 home value: $403,760
• Average mortgage: $2,374
• January 2024 average rent cost: $1,956
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,726
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,100
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,682
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $61,195
• Renter annual cost of living: $56,181

• Total population: 88,699
• Total households: 35,426
• Livability: 83
• Median household income: $57,403
• January 2024 home value:  $414,797
• Average mortgage: $2,439
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,001
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,666
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,105
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,667
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $61,254
• Renter annual cost of living: $56,000

• Total population: 198,912
• Total households: 76,882
• Livability: 77
• Median household income: $72,474
• January 2024 home value: $397,581
• Average mortgage: $2,338
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,302
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,806
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,143
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,108
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $61,716
• Renter annual cost of living: $61,296

• Total population: 71,578
• Total households: 30,605
• Livability: 76
• Median household income: $59,140
• January 2024 home value: $384,252
• Average mortgage: $2,259
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,202
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,941
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,200
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,142
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $62,401
• Renter annual cost of living: $61,709

• Total population: 73,987
• Total households: 26,464
• Livability: 75
• Median household income: $48,523
• January 2024 home value: $394,319
• Average mortgage: $2,318
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,047
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,928
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,246
• Renter monthly cost of living: $4,975
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $62,955
• Renter annual cost of living: $59,702

• Total population: 68,814
• Total households: 23,061
• Livability: 78
• Median household income: $100,983
• January 2024 home value: $426,838
• Average mortgage: $2,510
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,354
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,759
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,269
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,113
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $63,222
• Renter annual cost of living: $61,355

• Total population: 86,455
• Total households: 36,219
• Livability: 75
• Median household income: $53,741
• January 2024 home value: $426,999
• Average mortgage: $2,510
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,588
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,862
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,373
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,450
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $64,471
• Renter annual cost of living: $65,400

• Total population: 111,790
• Total households: 46,038
• Livability: 70
• Median household income: $61,155
• January 2024 home value: $429,330
• Average mortgage: $2,524
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,412
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,891
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,415
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,303
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $64,982
• Renter annual cost of living: $63,639

• Total population: 117,588
• Total households: 49,348
• Livability: 81
• Median household income: $64,044
• January 2024 home value: $451,427
• Average mortgage: $2,654
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,327
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,885
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,539
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,212
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $66,470
• Renter annual cost of living: $62,548

• Total population: 152,764
• Total households: 60,138
• Livability: 74
• Median household income: $61,958
• January 2024 home value: $496,007
• Average mortgage: $2,916
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,461
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,718
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,634
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,179
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $67,608
• Renter annual cost of living: $62,145

• Total population: 96,510
• Total households: 37,078
• Livability: 84
• Median household income: $66,001
• January 2024 home value: $467,672
• Average mortgage: $2,750
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,466
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,923
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,673
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,390
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $68,076
• Renter annual cost of living: $64,676

• Total population: 111,618
• Total households: 34,351
• Livability: 71
• Median household income: $56,071
• January 2024 home value: $449,676
• Average mortgage: $2,644
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,981
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $3,056
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,700
• Renter monthly cost of living: $6,037
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $68,401
• Renter annual cost of living: $72,448

• Total population: 79,996
• Total households: 24,626
• Livability: 77
• Median household income: $57,739
• January 2024 home value: $449,948
• Average mortgage: $2,645
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,486
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $3,124
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,769
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,609
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $69,227
• Renter annual cost of living: $67,310

• Total population: 80,068
• Total households: 32,360
• Livability: 71
• Median household income: $68,875
• January 2024 home value: $489,831
• Average mortgage: $2,880
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,404
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,899
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,779
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,303
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $69,345
• Renter annual cost of living: $63,631

• Total population: 222,996
• Total households: 76,255
• Livability: 76
• Median household income: $49,531
• January 2024 home value: $528,262
• Average mortgage: $3,106
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,733
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,683
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,789
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,416
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $69,465
• Renter annual cost of living: $64,993

• Total population: 135,158
• Total households: 43,038
• Livability: 79
• Median household income: $81,812
• January 2024 home value: $539,693
• Average mortgage: $3,173
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,754
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,724
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $5,897
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,477
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $70,760
• Renter annual cost of living: $65,730

• Total population: 182,673
• Total households: 80,031
• Livability: 76
• Median household income: $75,376
• January 2024 home value: $572,643
• Average mortgage: $3,367
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,678
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,726
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $6,093
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,404
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $73,111
• Renter annual cost of living: $64,846

• Total population: 170,472
• Total households: 62,807
• Livability: 82
• Median household income: $77,657
• January 2024 home value: $577,505
• Average mortgage: $3,395
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,466
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,731
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $6,126
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,196
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $73,510
• Renter annual cost of living: $62,352

• Total population: 443,665
• Total households: 186,137
• Livability: 79
• Median household income: $54,858
• January 2024 home value: $600,685
• Average mortgage: $3,532
• January 2024 average rent cost: $3,013
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,688
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $6,219
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,701
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $74,630
• Renter annual cost of living: $68,412

• Total population: 66,646
• Total households: 28,592
• Livability: 75
• Median household income: $76,558
• January 2024 home value: $575,770
• Average mortgage: $3,385
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,779
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,874
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $6,260
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,653
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $75,115
• Renter annual cost of living: $67,841

• Total population: 133,801
• Total households: 44,260
• Livability: 78
• Median household income: $87,488
• January 2024 home value: $634,813
• Average mortgage: $3,732
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,345
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,732
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $6,465
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,078
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $77,574
• Renter annual cost of living: $60,932

• Total population: 93,130
• Total households: 36,005
• Livability: 81
• Median household income: $83,074
• January 2024 home value: $609,904
• Average mortgage: $3,586
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,464
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,895
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $6,481
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,359
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $77,769
• Renter annual cost of living: $64,306

• Total population: 105,821
• Total households: 37,941
• Livability: 79
• Median household income: $84,346
• January 2024 home value: $616,604
• Average mortgage: $3,625
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,414
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,936
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $6,562
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,351
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $78,738
• Renter annual cost of living: $64,209

• Total population: 74,891
• Total households: 24,247
• Livability: 81
• Median household income: $83,823
• January 2024 home value: $656,217
• Average mortgage: $3,858
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,925
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $3,066
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $6,924
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,991
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $83,092
• Renter annual cost of living: $71,892

• Total population: 97,980
• Total households: 41,530
• Livability: 78
• Median household income: $95,570
• January 2024 home value: $718,462
• Average mortgage: $4,224
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,928
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,882
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $7,106
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,810
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $85,269
• Renter annual cost of living: $69,721

• Total population: 68,029
• Total households: 21,085
• Livability: 67
• Median household income: $132,832
• January 2024 home value: $797,985
• Average mortgage: $4,692
• January 2024 average rent cost: $3,555
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $3,005
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $7,696
• Renter monthly cost of living: $6,560
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $92,354
• Renter annual cost of living: $78,719

• Total population: 82,400
• Total households: 41,711
• Livability: 73
• Median household income: $65,116
• January 2024 home value: $2,393,930
• Average mortgage: $14,075
• January 2024 average rent cost: $2,733
• Monthly cost of expenditures (groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation): $2,957
• Homeowner monthly cost of living: $17,032
• Renter monthly cost of living: $5,691
• Homeowner annual cost of living: $204,385
• Renter annual cost of living: $68,288

Photo disclaimer: Photos are for illustrative purposes only. In many cases, the closest major city outside of the city/county mentioned in the article was used.

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities across Florida to find the living wage a family of four needs. First, GOBankingRates found the total population from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, and the top 50 cities were kept for this study. For each city on the list, a number of factors were found, including: average home value for January 2024 as sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index, average rent cost as sourced from the Zillow Observed Rental Index, the average mortgage calculated from the National 30-year fixed rate mortgage as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the cost of living indexes as sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces, the average expenditure costs from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, and the livability index as sourced from AreaVibes. The cost of living indexes were used to calculate the average expenditure costs for each city. The average expenditure costs were combined with the rent to find the total cost of living for a renter, and the expenditure costs were combined with the mortgage cost to find the total cost of living for a homeowner. The monthly expenditure costs were calculated and included as supplemental information. The livability index, median household income and total households were also included as supplemental information. The total cost of living for homeowners was sorted from the most to the least expensive. All data was collected on and is up to date as of April 9, 2024.