Best places to live in Florida
What do you look for in an ideal town? Proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches? How about top-ranked schools for your children? Would you like a professional or college sports team nearby, or do you prefer museums and art walks?
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Florida using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
On the list, there’s a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
#10. Maitland
- Population: 17,765
- Median home value: $372,500 (49% own)
- Median rent: $1,409 (51% rent)
- Median household income: $75,944
- Top public schools: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (A+), Winter Park High School (A+), Dommerich Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Orangewood Christian School (A), Park Maitland School (A+), Maitland Montessori School
#9. Lake Mary
- Population: 16,698
- Median home value: $320,100 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,633 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $96,983
- Top public schools: Choices in Learning Charter School (A), Seminole Science Charter School (A), Heathrow Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Lake Mary Preparatory School (A+), StarChild Academy, St. Peter's Episcopal Preschool & Kindergarten
#8. Winter Park
- Population: 30,522
- Median home value: $447,800 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,289 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $77,899
- Top public schools: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (A+), Winter Park High School (A+), Orlando Gifted Academy (A)
- Top private schools: Circle Christian School (B+), St. Margaret Mary Catholic School, Monarch Learning Academy
#7. Heathrow
- Population: 6,987
- Median home value: $446,400 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,519 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $105,833
- Top public schools: Choices in Learning Charter School (A), Heathrow Elementary School (A), Lake Mary High School (A)
#6. Coral Gables
- Population: 50,226
- Median home value: $846,100 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,693 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $100,843
- Top public schools: School for Advanced Studies - Wolfson (A+), School for Advanced Studies - South (A+), School for Advanced Studies - North (A+)
- Top private schools: St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School (A), St. Theresa School, The French American School of Miami
#5. Pinecrest
- Population: 19,244
- Median home value: $949,400 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,549 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $156,875
- Top public schools: School for Advanced Studies - Wolfson (A+), School for Advanced Studies - South (A+), School for Advanced Studies - North (A+)
- Top private schools: Gulliver Preparatory School (A+), American Academy of Pinecrest (B), St. Louis Covenant School
#4. Westchase
- Population: 23,923
- Median home value: $359,600 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,517 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $94,989
- Top public schools: Sickles High School (A), Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (A), Terrace Community Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Kids 'R' Kids Academy - West Chase, Primrose School of Westchase, The Goddard School - Tampa (Westchase)
#3. Doctor Phillips
- Population: 10,488
- Median home value: $366,900 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,987 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $105,714
- Top public schools: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (A+), Dr. Phillips High School (A-), Orlando Science Elementary Charter School (A-)
- Top private schools: Orlando Jewish Dayschool
#2. Palm Valley
- Population: 21,292
- Median home value: $476,800 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,397 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $109,000
- Top public schools: Ponte Vedra High School (A+), Ocean Palms Elementary School (A), Ponte Vedra Palm Valley - Rawlings Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Palmer Catholic Academy
#1. Nocatee
- Population: 14,747
- Median home value: $389,500 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,924 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $119,276
- Top public schools: Ponte Vedra High School (A+), Ocean Palms Elementary School (A), Valley Ridge Academy (A)
- Top private schools: Primrose School on Crosswater Parkway NOCATEE
