How much is a good salary to live in Florida? Income needed varies by city and lifestyle
MIT and Census data show you need at least $46K–$63K to cover basic costs in Florida; more for comfort.
The ability to live comfortably in Florida depends on your income, where you live, and the size of your household. According to MIT estimates of basic living expenses, a single adult needs $46,645 per year to adequately cover basic living expenses; for couples, that number is $63,567. With one child, that number jumps to $75,959.
These figures are simply basic living expenses and do not cover discretionary spending. By comparison, the median income for a single person in Florida is $62,973, and may create more opportunity for savings and personal spending.
Cost of living: Florida isn’t the cheapest state
According to MERIC, Florida is the 34th most affordable state in the country despite its perks, such as no state income tax and lots of sunshine. That means that overall Florida is cheaper than many states but more expensive than many, too.
Certain areas of Florida, most notably Miami-Dade, are also particularly expensive. In fact, RealtyHop ranked it in April 2024 as the second-least affordable U.S. metro area.
The data reveals approximately how much money you need to earn to live comfortably in Florida. Photo: GLR Composition/The Florida Times-Union/AOL.com
Income differences across Florida
Income levels in Florida can vary widely. For example, households in St. Johns County average over $106,000 in income. At the other extreme are rural counties like Glades County, where the average household income is below $50,000.
Some occupations, such as registered nursing, which has an approximate wage of $75,000 annually, allow a comfortable lifestyle for singles in most areas of Florida. Certainly, location continues to be a major factor in relative financial comfort.
