How Much Apartment Can You Afford in Florida vs. California?

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Both Florida and California have strong appeal for prospective residents. Florida has more than 200 public beaches, a balmy climate that stays pretty mild all year round and no state income tax (a major money-saving plus). Then there’s California, with its cultural diversity, mixture of mountains and beaches, and mild Mediterranean climate.  

If you’re thinking about renting a place in either of these inviting states, you’re likely wondering what kind of apartment you can get for your money. What are the most affordable cities that are also pleasant to live in? How much does a one-bedroom apartment cost in, say, Hollywood, Florida, versus West Hollywood, California? 

GOBankingRates analyzed cities in Florida and California to find the average rent for overall apartments, the average rent for one-bedroom apartments and the average rent for two-bedroom apartments — all sourced from ApartmentList.com. 

Here’s a look at how much apartment you can afford in Florida versus California, in cities with a livability index of 75 and up (as sourced from AreaVibes). And what is the population of each city? Let’s find out. Cities are listed in order from lowest to highest livability.  

Hollywood, Florida 

• Population: 152,764  
• Livability index: 75
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,526 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,300 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,747 

Deerfield Beach, Florida 

• Population: 86,455 
• Livability index: 75
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,729  
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,406 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,840 

Tamarac, Florida 

• Population: 71,578  
• Livability index: 75
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,782 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,557 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,824 

West Hollywood, California

• Population: 35,358 
• Livability index: 75
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,115 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,961 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,547 

San Diego

• Population: 1,383,987 
• Livability index: 75
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,309 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,968 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,466 

Chula Vista, California

• Population: 276,103 
• Livability index: 75
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,367 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,739 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,275 

Rocklin, California  

• Population: 71,676  
• Livability index: 75
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,433  
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,895 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,419 

Santa Monica, California

• Population: 92,168 
• Livability index: 75
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,472 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,340 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,805 

San Francisco

• Population: 851,036 
• Livability index: 75
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,673 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,698 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,198 

Dania Beach, Florida

• Population: 31,700 
• Livability index: 76
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,766 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,490 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,779 

Santa Rosa, California

• Population: 178,221 
• Livability index: 76
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,895 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,457 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,962 

Burbank, California

• Population: 106,389  
• Livability index: 76
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,108 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,803 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,428 

Hayward, California

• Population: 160,602 
• Livability index: 76
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,503 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,251 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,532 

Irvine, California

• Population: 304,527 
• Livability index: 76
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,959  
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,511  
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,079 

Newport Beach, California

• Population: 85,159 
• Livability index: 76
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $3,210 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,677 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,324 

Lakeland, Florida

• Population: 114,404 
• Livability index: 77
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,274 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,084 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,272 

La Mesa, California

• Population: 60,888 
• Livability index: 77
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,091 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,853 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,221 

Roseville, California

• Population: 148,879 
• Livability index: 77
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,095 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,709 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,132 

Carlsbad, California

• Population: 114,745 
• Livability index: 77
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,274 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,894 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,244 

Walnut Creek, California

• Population: 69,809  
• Livability index: 77
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,725 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,435 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,987 

San Bruno, California  

• Population: 43,218 
• Livability index: 77
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,867 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,447 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,968 

Emeryville, California

• Population: 12,840 
• Livability index: 77
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,937 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,846 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,436 

Pinellas Park, Florida 

• Population: 53,352 
• Livability index: 78
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,451 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,017 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,475 

Kissimmee, Florida  

• Population: 78,478 
• Livability index: 78
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,522  
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,179 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,456 

Panama City Beach, Florida

• Population: 18,281 
• Livability index: 78
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,662  
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,413 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,689 

Wesley Chapel, Florida 

• Population: 68,814 
• Livability index: 78
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,901  
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,498 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,761 

Berkeley, California

• Population: 121,385 
• Livability index: 78
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,941 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,790 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,160 

Coral Springs, Florida 

• Population: 133,801 
• Livability index: 78
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,984 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,597 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,909 

Camarillo, California

• Population: 70,622 
• Livability index: 78
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,591 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,108 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,537 

Aliso Viejo, California

• Population: 51,896 
• Livability index: 78
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,925 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,557 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,019 

North Miami, Florida 

• Population: 59,854 
• Livability index: 79
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,496 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,328 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,703 

Lauderhill, Florida 

• Population: 73,987 
• Livability index: 79
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,629 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,426 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,726 

Miramar, Florida

• Population: 135,158 
• Livability index: 79
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,754 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,439 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,615 

Maitland, Florida 

• Population: 19,266 
• Livability index: 79
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,803 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,710 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,862 

Doral, Florida 

• Population: 74,891 
• Livability index: 79
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,417 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,052  
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,333 

Vacaville, California

• Population: 101,631 
• Livability index: 79
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,428 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,884 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,313 

Boca Raton, Florida  

• Population: 97,980 
• Livability index: 79
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,444 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,152 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,386 

San Jose, California

• Population: 1,001,176 
• Livability index: 79
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,792 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,429 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,882 

Santa Clara, California

• Population: 128,058 
• Livability index: 79
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $3,014 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,740 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,140 

Daytona Beach, Florida 

• Population: 73,329 
• Livability index: 80
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,342 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,129 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,408 

Sarasota, Florida 

• Population: 55,508 
• Livability index: 80
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,513 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,457 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,538 

Tampa, Florida 

• Population: 388,768 
• Livability index: 80
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,581  
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,339 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,671 

Temple Terrace, Florida  

• Population: 26,818 
• Livability index: 81
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,475 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,340 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,525 

Clearwater, Florida 

• Population: 116,984 
• Livability index: 81
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,488 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,201  
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,577 

Orlando, Florida 

• Population: 307,738 
• Livability index: 81
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,582 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,348 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,675 

Miami

• Population: 443,665 
• Livability index: 81
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,923 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,607 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,129 

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 

• Population: 182,673 
• Livability index: 81
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,951 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,696  
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,122 

Davie, Florida 

• Population: 105,821 
• Livability index: 81
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,019 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,930 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,941 

Sunrise, Florida 

• Population: 96,510  
• Livability index: 81
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,049 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,596  
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,031 

Plantation, Florida 

• Population: 93,130  
• Livability index: 81
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,140 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,842 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,182 

San Mateo, California

• Population: 104,165 
• Livability index: 81
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $3,178 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,815  
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,526 

Bradenton, Florida 

• Population: 55,795 
• Livability index: 82
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,472 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,349 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,486 

Altamonte Springs, Florida 

• Population: 45,772 
• Livability index: 82
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,490 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,371 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,599 

Alafaya, Florida  

• Population: 91,531  
• Livability index: 82
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,763 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,536 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,663 

Pembroke Pines, Florida 

• Population: 170,472  
• Livability index: 82
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,899  
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,477 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,883 

Sunnyvale, California

• Population: 154,573 
• Livability index: 82
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $3,048 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,758 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,236 

Pensacola, Florida 

• Population: 54,059 
• Livability index: 83
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,311 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,096 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,366 

Coconut Creek, Florida 

• Population: 57,574 
• Livability index: 83
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,032 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,832 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,982 

Fremont, California

• Population: 228,795 
• Livability index: 83
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,716  
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,257  
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,735 

Gainesville, Florida 

• Population: 142,414 
• Livability index: 84
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,153 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $983 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,218 

Jacksonville, Florida 

• Population: 950,203 
• Livability index: 84
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,345 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,131 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,331 

North Miami Beach, Florida 

• Population: 43,269 
• Livability index: 84
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,761  
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,515 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,012 

Coral Gables, Florida 

• Population: 49,696 
• Livability index: 84
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,123 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,873 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,571 

Pleasanton, California  

• Population: 78,691 
• Livability index: 84
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,733 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,146 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,767 

Milpitas, California

• Population: 79,092  
• Livability index: 84
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,952 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,661 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,949 

Tallahassee, Florida 

• Population: 198,259  
• Livability index: 85
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,285 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,090 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,298 

Fort Myers, Florida  

• Population: 88,699 
• Livability index: 85
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,346 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,175 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,374 

Melbourne, Florida 

• Population: 84,982 
• Livability index: 85
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,443 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,261 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,473 

Brandon, Florida 

• Population: 114,923 
• Livability index: 85
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,658 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,389 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,636 

West Palm Beach, Florida 

• Population: 117,588 
• Livability index: 85
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,724 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,496 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,783 

Daly City, California  

• Population: 103,648 
• Livability index: 85
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,847 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,535 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,121 

Redwood City, California

• Population: 83,077 
• Livability index: 85
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $3,035 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,693 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,411 

Dublin, California

• Population: 71,068 
• Livability index: 85
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $3,130 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,681 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,104 

St. Petersburg, Florida 

• Population: 259,343 
• Livability index: 86
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $1,430 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,229  
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,549 

Livermore, California 

• Population: 87,154  
• Livability index: 86
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,573 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,937 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,519 

Contra Costa Centre, California 

• Population: 6,884 
• Livability index: 86
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,797 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,693 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,261 

Mountain View, California

• Population: 82,132 
• Livability index: 86
• Average rent for an apartment overall: $2,944 
• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,699 
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,282  

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities in California and Florida to find the average price for apartments by bedroom size; overall, one-bedroom and two-bedroom. First, GOBankingRates found the total population, total households, median household income all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, the average rent for overall apartments, average rent for one-bedroom apartments, and average rent for two-bedroom apartments all sourced from ApartmentList.com, the livability index as sourced from AreaVibes, the cost of living indexes as sourced from Sperlings BestPlaces, and the average expenditure costs for all residents as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for all residents. Using the cost of living indexes and the average expenditure costs, the average expenditure costs for each city can be calculated. The average rent by bedroom sizes can be added to the expenditure cost to find the average total cost of living for different bedroom sizes. The cities were sorted by total population to show costs of living in different cities at different sizes to find the apartments you can afford in Florida and California. All data was collected on and is up to date as of May 28, 2024.

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