Cost of Living

Pinch Yourself, Not Pennies. This isn’t a Dream.

With its scenic views, pleasant temperatures and available job opportunities, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more value-packed community to live than Northwest Florida. For one, there’s no state income tax. Everything from groceries to healthcare and transportation costs less in our communities, and housings prices across county lines are also well below national averages.

You work hard for your money. Northwest Florida’s cost of living will help you to keep more of it in your pocket.

Quick Links / Downloads

Florida Department of Revenue

6% General state sales tax rate Florida Department of Revenue

$738 Median monthly rental contract Florida’s Great Northwest

$8,639 Average expenses including mortgage and essentials Florida’s Great Northwest

Raise a Family
Find a Job
Affordable Living

Raise a Family

Relax and Watch Your Children (and Wallet) Grow

According to the Economic Policy Institute, Bay County cities like Lynn Haven and Panama City are less expensive to raise a family of four in comparison to other metropolitan areas in the state. In most cases, everything from groceries to healthcare costs less than the national average.

Add to that top ranked county school systems in Bay County and Escambia County, both of which partner with local companies to teach students competitive marketplace skills, and it’s easy to see why Northwest Florida is the best place for you and your loved ones’ finances.

Find a Job

Financial Stability for Your Future

Opportunities to start and grow a career in manufacturing, logistics, cybersecurity and more run throughout Northwest Florida, with average household earnings as much as $70,000 in Santa Rosa. Industries like Aerospace and defense continue to grow jobs in the region, thanks to six military installations and a supportive community for veterans and their families.

Affordable Living

Live Well Without Breaking the Bank

Median housing costs in Pensacola are an average of 37% less than the national average while Panama City — Northwest Florida’s largest metropolitan — remains 17% less. Everyday expenses like groceries, transportation and health care costs aren’t as much, either, leaving you with more play money to enjoy Northwest Florida’s array of recreational activities.

Tools & Resources

Relocate to Northwest Florida

Get a sense of what it’s like to live in Northwest Florida with a detailed look into our diverse communities.

Explore the Region

County Profiles

Northwest Florida’s diverse counties offer a range of living experiences.

Dig Deeper

Housing

From beachfront condos to historic houses, your dream home in Northwest Florida is closer than you think.

Find Your New Home

Stay in the Loop

Keep up with all things Northwest FL.

Dog Beach at Pier Park ranked in top 30 best dog-friendly beaches in U.S. View the list here

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Dog Beach at Pier Park, known across the Panhandle as being a great place to take your BFFs (best furry friends), is making a name for itself nationally. Located on the Gulf of Mexico in Panama City Beach, Dog Beach is among the 30 best dog-friendly beaches in the country, according […]

‘New Moon of Northwest Florida’ will soon take flight

WEWAHITCHKA, Fla. (WMBB) — A little less than four years ago, a company called Skyborne Technology opened up a facility in Wewahitchka. In that short time, the company has taken flight, literally. Skyborne is completing its 15th airship and has big plans for the near future. One of Skyborne Technologies primary projects so far has […]

Opportunity Florida – Opportunity is Here Video

Florida’s Rural Area of Opportunity region in Northwest Florida, where your company may expand or locate a new facility using the region’s skilled labor coming from our workforce training pipeline that begins at the high school. Come visit our area that abounds with quality of place attributes. Opportunity Is Here — You Should Be Too!