12 Best Places To Live On The East Coast Of Florida In 2023

The Atlantic coast of Florida is highly in demand among people to make it their permanent address.  

If you are planning to relocate to the east, then you should know the best places to live on the East Coast of Florida.

Best Places to Live on the East Coast of Florida

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You cannot come unprepared without knowing the pros and cons of living in Florida

Specifically, the cost of living on the East Coast of Florida is different from the west, south, and north. 

No doubt Florida is known for its gorgeous beaches but will it help you to grow as a person both professionally and mentally?

After all the packing is donedo you afford to regret moving to Florida

No, right, so this is the ultimate guide on the best cities to live on the Florida East Coast.

Best Places to Live on the East Coast of Florida

Once you think of relocating, your thoughts are not limited to good jobs, affordability, and education. 

You also want to find places with low crime rates in Florida. So, this list below is a complete guide for your moving to Florida’s eastern coast.  

1. Delray Beach

  • Population: 68,110
  • Cost of living Index: 105.2 (100=National Average)
  • Unemployment rate: 2.50%
  • Crime rate: 42.23 (per 1,000 residents)

It’s no secret! Delray Beach is the best place to live on the east coast for families with sophisticated and vibrant beach culture. This small town has 35 neighborhoods, each with its own sets of pros, cons and uniqueness.

Also, there are varied options including townhouses, single-family homes, condos, and villas. The median listing home price at Delray Beach is around $395,000, bear in mind, you find the best school, and varied job opportunities.

Pros:

  • A popular city for displaying murals and artworks. 
  • Close to the glistening Atlantic Ocean
  • High-quality life at Lake of Delray and Tuscany
  • Good education

Cons:

  • Touristy place
  • High cost of living – expensive

Things to do in Delray Beach

  • Atlantic Avenue for shopping, and dining
  • Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden to discover authentic South Florida garden
  • Saturday at Delray Green Market

Tips:

  • Keep umbrellas because Delray Beach’s average annual rainfall is 61
  • Summers are warm at 70 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit whereas winters are ranging from the low 62 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit 
Delray Beach
Delray Beach

2. Daytona Beach

  • Population: 74,975
  • Cost of living Index: 86.7 (100=National Average)
  • Unemployment rate: 2.6%
  • Crime rate: 39.73 (per 1,000 residents)

Daytona Beach has roughly 23 miles of untouched coastline with powdery white sand, a gorgeous sunset view, and vibrant beach culture. This is one of the best places to live on the east coast of Florida. It is the place where NASCAR was born.

The median home cost is around $194,500, which is 17% less, compared to the national average. Also, the cost of living is 6% lower than the national average. Therefore, Daytona Beach is the most affordable place to live on the east coast of Florida.

Pros:

  • Motorsport Mecca – Daytona International Speedway 
  • Enjoy great outdoor activities –fishing, windsurfing, sailing, camping, diving, and boating
  • Low cost of living
  • Low risk of hurricanes and storms

Cons:

  • Summer months are brutal
  • A lot of tourists
  • High Insurance cost at Daytona

Tip: Consider your budget because that is going to determine your daily expenses

Things to do in Daytona Beach

  • Learn history at Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art
  • Explore luxury estates at Stetson Mansion
  • Taste incredible hand-making chocolate at Angell & Phelps
Best Places to Live on the East Coast of Florida_Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach

Recommended Read: 11 Best Places to Live in Central Florida

3. Sebastian

  • Population: 25,678
  • Cost of living Index: 97.6 (100=National Average)
  • Unemployment rate: 2.7
  • Crime rate: 7.02 (per 1,000 residents)

Sebastian is the biologically diverse estuary and Florida’s best surfing and fishing spot with vast opportunities. The pristine waterways, peaceful environment, and rare antiquities along the shore make it the best place to retire on the east coast

Art galleries, picturesque riverfront, and proximity to Orlando and West Palm Beach make Sebastian one of the best places to live in Florida. Quality housing is much more affordable with a minimum of $300k(median listing home price). Also, there are very less traffic jams on the road.

Pros:

  • Home to championship golf courses
  • World-renowned skydiving facilities
  • The “Fishing Village” offers a laid-back lifestyle with a peaceful ambiance and is full of high-quality life at retirement age
  • Sebastian is home to Pelican Island
  • Good education quality with special attention to Math, Language, and Reading
READ NEXT:  7 Best Places To Live In Northern Florida

Cons:

  • Absence of high school
  • Very windy – >6 km/h

Tip: Sebastian offers a rural living lifestyle so do not expect popular city life

Things to do in Sebastian

  • Have delicious baked cookies, gluten-free food and coffee at Riverview Coffee, Tea, and Books
  • Wonder at Sebastian Inlet State Park
  • For a mountain biking experience come to The Grapefruit Trail on Babcock Street 
Sebastian Inlet State Park
Sebastian Inlet State Park

4. Miami

  • Population: 450,797
  • Cost of living Index: 122.4 (100=National Average)
  • Unemployment rate: 2-3%
  • Crime rate: 35.70 (per 1,000 residents)

Miami is one of bustling Florida’s metropolises with all good job opportunities, education quality, and restaurants. With no debates, Miami is one of the best places to live on the east coast of Florida but without a loaded pocket, it’s hard to survive.

Without rent, a single person’s expense is around $1,165 which is a minimum of 15% higher than the national average. However, Winter Garden, Hallandale Beach, Windermere, and Pembroke Pines are suburbs in Miami with affordable housing options. 

Pros:

  • The job market is expected to expand by over 42% in the coming future
  • The sunshine makes it perfect for adventure seekers to experience varied outdoor activities. Your adventure is not only limited to beaches
  • Income not taxed

Cons:

  • Miami has tons of variety of cockroaches and bugs
  • The place is too classy – Fashion and Miami go hand in hand
  • A lot of tourists from Brazil, the UK, Canada, and the surroundings
  • Pressure on the resident to make a minimum of $77,000 / year to have a standard of living
  • You have to learn Spanish

Things to do in Miami

  • Enthralling experience at Jungle Island
  • Witness nostalgia decoration and buildings outlet at Art Deco District 
  • Explore Havana and taste the cultural flavor
  • Enjoy the view at Deering Estate, a 440-acre land encompassing mangroves, dunes, salt marshes, pine forest and more.

Recommended Read:

Cities to Live on the East Coast of Florida_Ocean Drive, Miami
Ocean Drive, Miami

5. Port. St. Lucie

  • Population: 212,901
  • Cost of living Index: 100.7 (100=National Average)
  • Unemployment rate: 2.5
  • Crime rate: 9.42 (per 1,000 residents)

Port St. Lucie is one of the best cities to live in on Florida’s east coast which features orchids, native plants, bamboo, hummingbirds, butterflies, mangroves, and gorgeous waterways. The Savannas Preserve State Park is my favorite.

The median home value in Port St. Lucie is around $137,100 with median rent is $1,175 per month. The public school system has strong STEM, and a special focus on teaching language programs to students. Moreover, if you earn $41, 0000/ year you can maintain a standard life. 

Pros:

  • Golf paradise – St. James, PGA Learning Center, and Savannah Club
  • Fishing expeditions at the Fort Pierce Marina
  • Bayshore Heights, Floresta Pointe, Canal Pointe, and Torino are the best peaceful residential neighborhood in St.Lucie
  • Presence of two major hospitals with great experienced healthcare facilities 

Cons:

  • The cost of health insurance is high compared to insurance in the U.S 
  • Fear of hurricanes – 2015 incidents has a huge impact on people

Tip: Port St. Lucie has less number of restaurants, clubs and lounges. Moreover, it offers a suburban feel to residents.

Things to do in Port St. Lucie

  • If you are a water fan, come to River Lilly Cruises
  • A visit to Veterans Park at Rivergate is quite memorable
  • Come to the dog-friendly Walton Rock Beach
  • Bring your child to Splash Waterpark
Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens
Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

6. Fort Pierce

  • Population: 48,439
  • Cost of living Index: 88.4 (100=National Average)
  • Unemployment rate: 5.40%
  • Crime rate: 25.33 (per 1,000 residents)

If you are in love with the quaint architecture, unspoiled beaches, marines, and iconic museums, go no further than Fort Pierce one of the best places to live in Florida by the beachAlso, you get homes at 33% cheaper than the national average.

The median home cost is around $ 154,000 with tree-lined streets, historic neighborhoods, nature trails, and high-rate walkability. The “Sunshine City” is a “Treasure Coast” in Florida offering all kinds of water-based activities to explore.

Pros:

  • Best place for snorkeling and scuba diving
  • Big farmer’s market
  • A growing economy with high job opportunities
  • Fort Pierce is a budget-friendly vacation destination in Florida
  • Education opportunities at $9000/ child
  • A lot of theme gardens like Heathcote Botanical Garden, Japanese garden, Butterfly garden, and more
READ NEXT:  Top 10 Free Things to Do in Miami You Shouldn’t Miss in 2023

Cons: High crime rate

Things to do in Fort Pierce

  • Come to the Mediterranean Revival-style Sunrise Theatre
  • For a plethora of unique shopping and dining, opportunities come to Main Street Fort Pierce
  • Come to the nation’s top regular farmer’s market at Downtown
  • A visit to a beautiful boutique winery called Summer Crush Vineyard
Fort Pierce
Fort Pierce

7. Boca Raton

  • Population: 100,028
  • Cost of living Index: 120.8 (100=National Average)
  • Unemployment rate: 2.30
  • Crime rate: 23.18 (per 1,000 residents)

With houses, a clean environment, white beaches, and rich communities, Boca Raton is one of the most desired places to live on the east coast of Florida. The most unique thing in Boca Raton’s building layout is the Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Colonial theme.

Boca Raton’s urban environment, open space, enormous hiking trails, cycling paths, and huge job opportunities from Boca Raton Regional Hospital and Florida Atlantic University makes it one of the desirable place to live. 

Pros:

  • Boca Raton’s proximity to Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, and Disney World makes it a popular place to live on the east coast of Florida.
  • Residential electricity bill is 8.93% less compared to other states
  • Excellent education facilities – A.D Henderson University School, Waters Edge Elementary School, Don Estridge High Technical Middle School, and Fau High School

Cons:

  • Ranked at a level of 128 which means 28% more expensive than the national average. 

Things to do in Boca Raton

  • Come to the most famous Gumbo Limbo Nature Center; home to flowers, trees, and turtles
  • Welcome to Red Reef Park, Spanish River Park, and Sugar Sand Park
Boca Raton
Boca Raton

8. Palm Beach 

  • Population: 9,425
  • Cost of living Index: 114.1 (100=National Average)
  • Unemployment rate: 2.60%
  • Crime rate: 14.28 (per 1,000 residents)

Palm Beach is home to exotic beaches, a naturally rich green environment, busy streets, tall buildings, and tons of recreational activities to perform. This is one of the fast-growing bustling areas and the best east coast Florida town to live in.

West Palm has several colorful towns, communities of artists, an incredible job market, restaurants, shopping markets, and more. The hospitality, retail, and food sectors keep Florida’s economy hot. 

Pros:

  • Palm Beach Atlantic University and Palm Beach State College are renowned universities in America. 
  • The warm climate in winter, around 74 degrees Fahrenheit
  • West Palm Beach has multiple walking paths and hiking trails.
  • Palm Beach is titled Florida’s golf capital
  • A two-bedroom apartment at Palm Beach on rent is around $1500

Cons:

  • Palm Beach traffic is a problem
  • It has some scary sinkholes
  • The cost of living in West Palm Beach is 17% higher compared to other states

Things to do in Palm Beach

  • If you are in the mood to explore art and culture, come to the Norton Museum of Art or AT Flagler Museum
  • Stroll around the enchanting and gorgeous Ritzy Worth Avenue
  • Go for a walk along Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
Manatee Lagoon
Manatee Lagoon

9. Melbourne

  • Population: 86,400
  • Cost of living Index: 94.4 (100=National Average)
  • Unemployment rate: 2.2
  • Crime rate: 38.92 (per 1,000 residents)

Close to Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center sits Melbourne, an amazing place in Florida to lead a quality life. According to a study conducted by WalletHub, residents in Melbourne enjoy a highly healthy lifestyle and affordable living cost. 

Melbourne is also called Space Coast because NASA has launched many spacecraft. Also, Elon Musk’s SpaceX has been flying. Its isolated location just across the Indian River offers strong education quality and active life. 

Pros:

  • It is a small town on Florida’s east coast and offers a peaceful environment.
  • On average Melbourne receives 234 days of sunshine
  • The median home price in Melbourne is around $157,000
  • From technology to construction, Melbourne has tons of job opportunities. 

Cons:

  • Simple life and not much hippy vibe
  • Extra bugs and critters

Things to do in Melbourne

  • Go for a scenic stroll at Melbourne Beach Pier
  • Spot some beautiful birds among the pine trees at Wickham Park
  • Love for fishing? Come to Sebastian Fishing Museum
  • Visit Brevard Zoo, a small zoo near Daytona Beach. Also, it is one of the most beautiful zoos in Florida.

10. St. Augustine

  • Population: 14,599
  • Cost of living Index: 104.8 (100=National Average)
  • Unemployment rate: 3.6%
  • Crime rate: 37.62 (per 1,000 residents)

St. Augustine is not only the oldest town in America but one of the best coastal towns to live on the east coast. It was founded in 1565 by a Spanish explorer. The history and tradition are incomparably rich. 

READ NEXT:  11 Best Miami Souvenirs You Want to Bring Back from Florida

Also, the cost of living in St. Augustine is much more affordable, the average single person’s monthly salary is around $3, 980 whereas the cost of living is around $2,195. The job market has increased; moreover, it is predicted to increase by 50.1% over the coming year.

Pros:

  • The median cost of a home in St. Augustine is $352,100 which is very affordable
  • St. Augustine is very dog-friendly
  • City statistics as ranked St. Augustine as B- in terms of education
  • It has 55+ communities for the retired population

Cons:

  • St. Augustine ranks 21.4% in terms of poverty rate
  • A lot of tourists result in blocked roads

Things to do in St. Augustine

  • Explore the Lightner Museum
  • Enjoy the Southern charm and unique exploration at St. George Street
  • Bring your child to Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park

Recommended Read: 7 Most Affordable Beach Towns In Florida

St. Augustine
St. Augustine

11. Amelia Island

  • Population: 13,364
  • Cost of living Index: 117.7 (100=National Average)
  • Crime rate: 10.57 (per 1,000 residents)

Amelia Island is an offbeat place in Florida where you get a full chance to explore nature and history and enjoy the sound of the winds and waves dancing in a tune.  This unique paradise boosts your mind that ultimately resulting in a happy life.

Also, Travel + Leisure magazine has voted Amelia Island as the “Best Island in the Continental United States”. The waterfront island is a dream destination for many. Just imagine you riding a horse on white sand with no crowd around! That’s Amelia.

Pros

  • A lot of outdoor activities
  • Family-friendly
  • Proximity to Jacksonville

Cons:

  • Living cost is 22% higher compared to America
  • No new constructions

Things to do in Amelia Island

Read Also: 13 Best Florida Beaches For Couples

Amelia Island
Amelia Island

12. Stuart

  • Population: 17,791
  • Cost of living Index: 99.5 (100=National Average)
  • Unemployment rate: 4.1%
  • Crime rate: 22.96 (per 1,000 residents)

“Sailfish Capital of the World”, “America’s Happiest Seaside Town”, or “The Panama Canal of Florida”, – these are all nicknames of Stuart. If you are coming to Stuart, you will fall in love with the water. 

Stuart is vibrant and the best beach town on the east coast of Florida with a lot of natural parks, beaches, and home to the Boyington tree, and the Tamarind tree. Also, it offers a mixed lifestyle; you can afford to live here if you earn a minimum of $30,771. 

Pros:

  • Close to Hobe Sound Beach or Jupiter Island
  • Fun activities all-round the week – Pub Crawl, and country dance events
  • Amenities costs are 4% cheaper than in the rest of America.
  • Good place for retirees and dogs lovers

Cons:

  • Inconvenient ferry routes to cities
  • Racially not much diverse
  • In 2021, Stuart experienced a toxic algae water crisis

Things to do in Stuart

  • Bring your dog to Poppleton Creek
  • Spend time in the Inlet Aquatic Reserve

Conclusion

These 12 are the best and most desired places on the East Coast of Florida where you can plan your next address. However, some places lack comprehensive public schools, or transportation systems but are never a congested nightmare for you.

You can study the pros and cons of these places to understand each place has its uniqueness. Either way, these places are a slice of paradise on the Atlantic coast. You do not have to worry!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What beach town in Florida is the safest to live in?

A: According to data released in 2021, Satellite Beach in Brevard County, Florida is considered the safest place to live. It has a population of around 11,000 only.

2. Which coast of Florida has better weather?

A: The West coast of Florida has better weather because the sun is not too harsh and you can enjoy the cool air in the winter. The temperature in winter is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit whereas in summer the temperature is around 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit. 

3. What part of east coast Florida has the lowest crime rate?

A: Satellite Beach in Brevard County has recorded a crime rate of only 5.34 out of 1,000 residents. According to NeighborhoodScout’s analysis of FBI crime data, Satellite Beach is 81% safe compared to other places in America.

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