Florida
Florida ranks #29 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 52.7/100 and a C+ grade. Its strongest category is Fiscal Health (70/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (28/100).
How Does Florida Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Florida
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 | Port St. Lucie | A | 61.0 | 245,036 | $74,928 | 99 | 101.7 |
| 294 | Coral Springs | B+ | 57.7 | 134,913 | $85,615 | 151.9 | 111.8 |
| 310 | Miramar | B+ | 57.4 | 138,330 | $92,097 | 176 | 111.8 |
| 349 | Cape Coral | B+ | 56.5 | 224,452 | $74,634 | 121.1 | 102.6 |
| 372 | Palm Bay | B | 56.0 | 135,570 | $67,928 | 321.5 | 100.8 |
| 437 | Pembroke Pines | B | 54.4 | 171,105 | $86,135 | — | 111.8 |
| 452 | Miami | B | 54.0 | 455,955 | $68,635 | 495 | 111.8 |
| 464 | Hialeah | B | 53.8 | 221,318 | $55,310 | 196.1 | 111.8 |
| 548 | Tampa | C+ | 52.1 | 403,361 | $72,851 | 469.8 | 103.4 |
| 549 | Orlando | C+ | 52.1 | 320,753 | $69,414 | — | 101.1 |
| 553 | St. Petersburg | C+ | 52.0 | 263,546 | $71,743 | 578.9 | 103.4 |
| 554 | West Palm Beach | C+ | 52.0 | 124,148 | $83,205 | 707.5 | 111.8 |
| 652 | Hollywood | C | 49.6 | 153,864 | $60,630 | — | 111.8 |
| 659 | Jacksonville | C | 49.3 | 985,837 | $68,069 | — | 99.2 |
| 673 | Lakeland | C | 48.8 | 122,246 | $57,131 | 397.4 | 97.4 |
| 676 | Fort Lauderdale | C | 48.7 | 184,263 | $80,539 | 719.1 | 111.8 |
| 733 | Spring Hill | C | 47.2 | 121,939 | $68,872 | — | — |
| 771 | Tallahassee | C | 46.0 | 202,222 | $56,146 | 850 | 95.3 |
| 817 | Gainesville | D | 44.7 | 145,800 | $47,099 | 747.6 | 96.9 |
| 863 | Lehigh Acres | D | 42.8 | 130,548 | $59,645 | — | — |
Best Cities in Florida for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Port St. Lucie | 64.1 | 57.1 | 95.1 | 66.5 |
| 2 | Cape Coral | 59.0 | 39.8 | 92.5 | 66.2 |
| 3 | Miramar | 58.7 | 48.8 | 87.7 | 60.3 |
| 4 | Palm Bay | 58.7 | 51.0 | 78.8 | 71.4 |
| 5 | Coral Springs | 58.4 | 43.6 | 87.6 | 57.8 |
More South States
Florida Rankings Overview
Florida earns an overall grade of C+ with a composite score of 52.7 out of 100, ranking #29 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Fiscal Health (70/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (28/100).
Economy & Employment in Florida
With an unemployment rate of 4.3% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Florida performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $71,516, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Florida
Florida's violent crime rate of 384 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Florida
Florida ranks #36 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #22 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Florida is 78.2 years, and the high school graduation rate is 87%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Florida
Florida's total tax burden is 6.49% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. Florida has no state income tax. The effective property tax rate is 0.82% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 6.98%.
Housing & Affordability in Florida
The median home price in Florida is $412,000, compared to the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 103 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
Environment in Florida
Florida has a median air quality index of 41 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 10% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 22.5 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Florida
Florida's population growth rate is +2% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +2.8 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 94.6% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Florida
The top-ranked cities in Florida based on our composite scoring are Port St. Lucie, Coral Springs, and Miramar. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Florida's overall ranking?
Florida ranks #29 out of 50 states with a composite score of 52.7/100 and a grade of C+.
Is Florida a good place to live?
Florida scores 52.7/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in Florida?
The violent crime rate in Florida is 384 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Florida's economy compare?
Florida's median household income is $71,516 with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Florida?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Florida are Port St. Lucie, Coral Springs, and Miramar.
How does Florida rank for families?
Florida ranks #33 of 50 states for families with a score of 53.1/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Florida rank for retirees?
Florida ranks #36 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 53.7/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Florida rank for remote workers?
Florida ranks #30 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 54/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.