Florida

Avg COL Index

102

vs. 100 national avg

Where the money goes

The biggest cost pressure in Florida is car insurance, at 48% above the national average. The biggest break is electricity, at 19% below it.

Rent trend

Rent rose an average of 1.3% over the past year across the 25 cities we track, slower than the 2.7% national change. Lake City saw the biggest move (up 4.3%), while Palatka was down 1.9%.

City to city

Where you live inside Florida matters. Typical rent runs from $1,370 in Palatka to $3,671 in Key West, a gap of $2,301 a month or about $27,612 a year.

Affordability

Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 52% of median household income in the counties we track, which ranks the 5th highest of 51 states. Median household income there averages $68,667 (Census ACS 2023). Groceries are counted at what the average household in the region spends on food at home (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).

Energy and driving

Regular gas costs $3.77 a gallon, 5% below the $3.98 national average. A typical electric bill runs about $135 a month versus $166 nationally, and full coverage car insurance averages $3,180 a year versus $2,150.

Groceries

Grocery prices in the South rose 1.7% over the past year (BLS food at home), compared with 1.8% nationally. Item prices on our city pages are national BLS averages, so local stores may be higher or lower.