10. Melbourne, FL
Population | 82,281 |
Amenities |
|
Avg Yearly Household Income | $65,812 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $1,987 |
Avg Home Value | $390,000 |
Melbourne, FL is a small city located in Brevard County right along what is known as the “Space Coast”. It is one of the nicest and most upscale towns in the county, offering proximity to everything the Space Coast offers, like Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. Melbourne is also close to Orlando and all of its amenities.
9. Orlando, FL
Population | 284,817 |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $55,183 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $2,308 |
Avg Home Value | $365,589 |
Orlando is a mid-size city located right in the center of the state. Though the city offers no coastline or beach, it makes up for that entirely with the country’s best theme parks and family entertainment. There are too many theme parks in the city to list, but they are world-class. The city also has a bustling food-scene, lively nightlife, and gorgeous natural springs and state parks. Orlando is one of the most fun cities in the US to live in, especially for those looking for family entertainment.
8. Port St. Lucie, FL
Population | 195,773 |
Amenities |
|
Avg Yearly Household Income | $62,380 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $2,127 |
Avg Home Value | $399,900 |
Port St. Lucie is a rapidly growing city located on Florida’s Treasure Coast. It is on the Southeast coast of the state, north of Palm Beach and Jupiter. The area is known for its uncrowded, pristine beaches. It is an excellent choice for people who love South Florida’s tropical climate and turquoise waters, without the madness of living in Palm Beach, Broward, or Miami-Dade counties.
7. Daytona Beach, FL
Population | 68,711 |
Amenities |
|
Avg Yearly Household Income | $38,686 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $1,816 |
Avg Home Value | $274,000 |
Daytona Beach is a small seaside city located in the Northern section of Florida’s Space Coast. It is widely known for the NASCAR races it hosts every year at the Daytona International Speedway. It is also cherished for its free spirited vibe, especially at the beach and on the boardwalk. You’re sure to find a fun time if you’re living here.
6. Ocala, FL
Population | 60,021 |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $42,361 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $1,673 |
Avg Home Value | $285,000 |
Ocala, FL is a small city in the north-central part of the state, about 80 miles northwest of Orlando. The city is a departure from what you might find in most other parts of the state. It is relatively hilly and forested. Silver Springs State Park and Ocala National Forest are a couple of focal points for the area, containing some of the most beautiful nature found in the state.
5. Lakeland, FL
Population | 110,335 |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $47,511 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $1,283 |
Avg Home Value | $280,119 |
Lakeland FL is a small city in Polk County, FL. It is east of Tampa and west of Orlando, with easy access to both cities, making it a really diverse and well-balanced living experience. Museums, parks, and other cultural attractions fill the downtown area, while preserves and state parks dot the landscape with beauty and Florida sunshine.
4. Naples, FL
Population | 21,750 |
Amenities |
|
Avg Yearly Household Income | $107,013 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $1,895 |
Avg Home Value | $699,000 |
Naples, FL is a very upscale small town located on Florida’s Paradise Coast. It’s about as far southwest as one can go in the state of Florida. Naples offers a whole lot to its residents. The city is an excellent jumping-off point for access to the Everglades, Big Cypress National Preserve, and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The city itself offers lots of upscale amenities from high-end shopping to fine dining.
3. Fort Myers, FL
Population | 83,505 |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $71,739 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $2,175 |
Avg Home Value | $367,710 |
Fort Myers is a small city located on the Lee Island Coast of Florida. It is about 40 miles north of Naples, in the southwest region of the state. Ft Myers offers a lot of sunny adventures to beachgoers and boating enthusiasts. Fort Myers Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the area, but be sure to check out Estero Island, Sanibel Island, and Captiva if you get the chance.
2. Sarasota, FL
Population | 57,787 |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $53,669 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $2,445 |
Avg Home Value | $562,700 |
Sarasota is a small city located on Florida’s Cultural Coast, north of Fort Myers and south of Tampa. It is known as the former winter headquarters of the John and Mable Ringling Circus, and contains an opulent Museum of Art dedicated to the circus. It also is noted as a tropical paradise, with lush tropical gardens throughout the city and Siesta Key nearby.
1. Myrtle Beach, SC
Population | 33,638 |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $43,378 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $1,483 |
Avg Home Value | $290,800 |
Myrtle Beach is a well-known beach town located in northern South Carolina. It is a vacation hotspot that is growing more than any other area in the US in 2022. It has loads to offer residents. It is more affordable than most areas in the US, with tons of activities and events for the whole family all year long. For some retirees and working professionals looking to escape the cold, Florida can be too hot most of the year. South Carolina offers year-round mild temperatures with more seasonal variation than the deep South. It is a happy medium for most people, with that just-right climate to keep you happy and entertained all year round.
Honorable Mentions
Nashville, TN
Population | 682,262 |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $62,515 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $2,560 |
Avg Home Value | $470,000 |
Nashville is known for being both the state capital of Tennessee as well as the country music capital of the world. The city offers some really unique attractions, entertainment, and food. Country music fans make their pilgrimage to the city’s entertainment district: Broadway Street. It’s here you’ll find restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and shopping all centered around country music. The suburbs of the city have a lot to offer as well, with a moderate climate and rugged natural beauty.
Raleigh-Durham, NC
Population (metro area) | 1,547,000 |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $69,720 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom in Raleigh) | $1,690 |
Avg Home Value (Raleigh) | $459,151 |
Raleigh-Durham is a metropolis between two cities that hosts what is referred to as the “Research triangle”. The cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill comprise this region and are aided by North Carolina State University, Duke University, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There are lots of opportunities in the area, which has helped the entire metropolis to thrive.
Charlotte, NC
Population | 925,290 |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $65,359 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $2,407 |
Avg Home Value | $396,919 |
Charlotte is North Carolina’s largest city. It is home to the Carolina Panthers NFL team as well as Carowinds Amusement Park, US National Whitewater Center, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Residents have quite a few high-adrenaline attractions at their disposal, making this a perfect place for thrill seekers and NASCAR fans.
Charleston, SC
Population | 141,931 |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $68,438 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $1,719 |
Avg Home Value | $510,922 |
Charleston is a charming colonial city located in South Carolina’s low country right on the coast. The city has loads of significant history, including a historic city market as well as a national monument. Charleston is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque cities in the south if not the entire US.The mild climate, palm trees, and sea breeze are all enticing rewards locals get to reap when living here.
Jacksonville, FL
Population | 902,488 |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $74,873 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $1,633 |
Avg Home Value | $302,678 |
Jacksonville is a large city in northeastern Florida known for being home to the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team. The city has some of the state’s best museums and gardens. Jacksonville Beach is a low key, tranquil seaside town offering a more moderate climate than the southern part of the state.
Salisbury, MD
Population | 32,850 |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $44,474 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $1,265 |
Avg Home Value | $258,200 |
Salisbury Maryland is the largest city on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It is also one of the fastest growing cities in the US. It is a coastal college town offering two universities as well as a unique location close to Chesapeake Bay, Maryland’s beaches, and Chincoteague, MD which is home to wild horses.
Tampa, FL
Population | 395,912 |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $91,281 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $2,313 |
Avg Home Value | $408,997 |
Tampa, FL is one of the fastest growing large cities in Florida. The population is steadily increasing and may overtake Miami in the not-so-distant future. Tampa is well known for Busch Gardens, one of the best theme parks in the state for thrill seekers. Tampa is also quickly becoming the sports capital of the state. The state is home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL team, the Rays MLB team, and the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL team.
Spartansburg, SC
Population | 37,448 |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $53,757 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $1,522 |
Avg Home Value | $240,000 |
Spartansburg SC is a small city in upstate South Carolina that is home to a couple of colleges as well as parks, preserves, and outdoor areas. The city is super close to Greenville, offering residents a host of amenities. The region is also the most mountainous part of South Carolina, so outdoor enthusiasts can really find their place here.
Miami, FL
Population | 461,080 (metro population is 6,138,333) |
Amenities | |
Avg Yearly Household Income | $44,268 |
Avg Rent (2 bedroom) | $2,694 |
Avg Home Value | $530,000 |
Miami is Florida’s largest metropolitan area (city and surrounding suburbs) and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. The city offers an experience that can’t be found elsewhere in the country. Miami is the crossroads of Latin America and the city’s culture, amenities, and flavors reflect that. Miami Beach is the center of it all with its pastel colors and art-deco architecture. Enjoy the city like a local, and venture across the causeways to mainland Miami for authentic culture, Miami city center, and the Everglades National Park.