3 Best Cities in Florida To Launch a Career This Year and How Much It Costs To Live in Each

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When you’re just out of high school or college and ready to launch your career, you may know exactly what you want to do, but do you know exactly where you want to live? It turns out that some cities are better than others when it comes to starting a career (and personal finance journey) in 2024. 

To help recent college graduates find the best spots for their young careers, WalletHub compared the relative market strength and overall livability of more than 180 U.S. cities. The personal finance site examined each city based on 26 key metrics that range from the availability of entry-level jobs to the average monthly starting salary to housing affordability. 

Three of the top 10 best cities to start a career in 2024 are in Florida. Which are they? What are they like in terms of employment opportunities? Finally, what does cost of living look like as compared to the national average?

Also here are 20 cities where it is easy to land a high-paying job.

Miami 

• Quality of life rank: 85 
• Professional opportunities rank: 4
• Total score: 58.89

Miami came in at number nine in WalletHub’s analysis. This city attracts people from all over the world thanks to its tropical climate, pristine beaches and lively social scene. It’s also a great spot for art enthusiasts, as it touts many contemporary art galleries. Miami has a bustling education and health services market, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Though a vibrant spot to launch a career, particularly if you’re looking to get into education or health services, Miami is not a particularly affordable city. According to PayScale, the cost of living is 21% higher in Miami than the national average. Miami is pricey due to a few factors, including high demand, inflation and a housing market that is soaring in price.

Tampa

• Quality of life rank: 21 
• Professional opportunities rank: 7 
• Total score: 61.27

Tampa ranked as the fourth best city in the U.S. to start a career, according to WalletHub’s analysis. Nestled on Tampa Bay on Florida’s west coast, near the Gulf of Mexico, this city is one of the largest in the southeastern U.S. Tampa is known to nurture a laid-back lifestyle. You’ll find no shortage of sporting events, museums, restaurants and entertainment options, according to U.S. News & World Report. And like the rest of Florida, you’ll enjoy mild weather all year-round and have access to dazzling beaches. 

Jobs that are particularly robust here are in office and administrative support, sales and food preparation and serving related. The cost of living in Tampa is right on par with the national average, according to PayScale, so it may be a more feasible place to live in for those just building out their careers.  

Orlando 

• Quality of life rank: 8
• Professional opportunities rank: 2 
• Total score: 65.02

Though famously home to the Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando has a lot more going for it than just Mickey Mouse. Here, you’ll find an array of gorgeous beaches, year-round sunshine and a happening food scene. You should find ample job opportunities in the fields of aerospace engineering, customer service, pharmaceuticals and tech, as reported by Randstad.

The cost of living in Orlando is 5% higher than the national average, according to PayScale. It’s the second best city in the U.S. to launch a career, according to WalletHub’s analysis. 

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