Everyone knows that The Sunshine State has a lot to offer as far as beaches, sunset views, and nature. But many don’t know much about the bigger cities in Florida. There are plenty of areas that are still close to the shore that can also offer big-cities amenities such as nightlife and rooftop bars.
Some Common Factors
All of the communities described here have certain characteristics in common. Here are a few:
- Taxes. Florida has no state income tax; compare that to the national average of 4.6%. Property taxes, too, come in low, with an average effective rate of .83% of property value. The state sales tax rate is 6.0%, and some localities add their own tax of 0.5% to 2.5%, resulting in an average combined rate of 7.05%.
- Climate. The climate of north and central Florida is humid subtropical, and south Florida is tropical in nature. Much of the state, especially the coastal areas, experiences rain and thunderstorms from May through October.
For each community below, we assign a HOMEiA Score, which provides an overall assessment – based on affordability, lifestyle, healthcare, education and other relevant factors – of the city’s appeal as a place to call home.
Not every place is affordable to buy homes in, though most of the cities below are affordable to rent places. We have presented options that will fit different budgets and needs – there should be a choice for everyone.
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