Florida is a long state, and a retirement in Pensacola looks very different from one in Fort Myers or Key West. Lists of cheapest towns go stale quickly and rarely say how they were made. A more reliable approach is to understand how the regions differ in climate, which shapes daily life and utility bills, and in the local costs that are set county by county.
Climate, region by region
NOAA’s 1991-2020 climate normals, measured at each city’s main weather station, show how much the state varies:
| City | Jan. avg high | July avg high | Days 90°F+ a year | Freezing nights a year | Rain a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pensacola | 62.7°F | 91.6°F | 67.7 | 11.3 | 68.31 in |
| Tallahassee | 63.9°F | 92.1°F | 102.6 | 27.0 | 58.81 in |
| Jacksonville | 65.5°F | 91.9°F | 80.1 | 14.3 | 53.40 in |
| Gainesville | 67.1°F | 91.1°F | 90.4 | 14.8 | 48.31 in |
| Orlando | 71.8°F | 92.0°F | 109.9 | 1.6 | 51.45 in |
| Tampa | 71.3°F | 91.0°F | 94.3 | 0.8 | 49.48 in |
| Sarasota-Bradenton | 72.5°F | 91.1°F | 85.3 | 1.2 | 49.05 in |
| Fort Myers | 75.0°F | 91.6°F | 120.3 | 0.1 | 57.41 in |
| Miami | 76.2°F | 90.6°F | 91.4 | 0.0 | 67.41 in |
| Key West | 75.8°F | 90.2°F | 56.5 | 0.0 | 40.44 in |
North Florida and the Panhandle
Pensacola, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Gainesville have real winters by Florida standards. Tallahassee averages 27 nights a year below freezing, which means a heating bill and the occasional frost on the garden. Summers are as hot as anywhere in the state, and Tallahassee still averages more than 100 days a year at 90 degrees or more.
Central Florida
Orlando sits inland, away from coastal storm surge but with some of the most hot days in the table: nearly 110 a year at 90 degrees or more. Winters are mild, with January highs around 72 degrees and freezing nights rare.
The Gulf coast
Tampa, Sarasota-Bradenton and Fort Myers combine warm winters with long summers. Fort Myers averages about 120 days a year at 90 degrees or more, the most of the ten cities. Coastal location also brings flood and surge risk to think about; see Flood Zones and Flood Insurance in Florida: What Retirees Need to Know Before Buying.
Southeast Florida and the Keys
Miami and Key West have no freezing nights on average and the warmest winters. Key West has the fewest 90-degree days in the table, about 57, because the surrounding water moderates its highs, but its nights stay warm, with July lows near 81 degrees. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis ranked the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area among the highest-priced metro areas in the country in 2024.
Storm exposure differs too
Every part of Florida can be hit by a hurricane, but the risk to a particular home depends on where it sits. The National Hurricane Center’s climatology puts the Atlantic season from June 1 to November 30, with a peak around September 10 and most activity between mid-August and mid-October. The Florida Division of Emergency Management says the greatest threat to life from a hurricane is storm surge flooding, and that evacuation zones, lettered from A, the most vulnerable and first to evacuate, onward, are designated for low-lying, flood-prone areas. Checking a home’s zone before you buy is as important as checking its price. More in Hurricane Season Preparation for Florida Seniors: Kit, Medications, Zones and the Special Needs Registry.
Costs that change from county to county
State taxes are the same everywhere in Florida, but several of the biggest housing costs are local:
- Property tax rates. Counties, cities, school boards and special districts set their own millage; the homestead exemption and Save Our Homes cap apply everywhere. See The Florida Homestead Exemption: How It Works, How to Apply and How Save Our Homes Protects You.
- Sales tax. The state rate is 6 percent, and counties may add discretionary surtaxes authorized by section 212.055.
- Insurance. Hurricane deductibles and premiums vary with location, construction and roof age; see Hurricane Insurance in Florida: Deductibles, Citizens and Free Wind Inspections Explained.
- Flood risk. Evacuation zones and flood zones are mapped address by address.
- Community fees. Homeowners association dues and community development district assessments can add a large annual charge; see 55-Plus Communities in Florida: The Age Rules, HOA Records and CDD Fees to Check Before You Buy.
Tip: The Department of Revenue suggests asking the county property appraiser, a licensed real estate agent or your lender about taxes before you buy. Some appraisers’ websites estimate taxes for a specific address, which beats any county average.
A simple way to compare two towns
Pick one realistic home in each town and price the same list: property tax after homestead, homeowners insurance with the hurricane deductible in dollars, flood insurance, community fees, and a summer electric bill. Then add the things a budget cannot capture: the distance to your doctors, whether you are in an evacuation zone, and how you feel about 100-plus days of 90-degree heat or 27 freezing nights.
Heat and health
The table is also a health table. Days above 90 degrees are when heat illness becomes a risk for older adults, especially those living alone or taking certain medications. Read Florida Heat Safety for Older Adults: How Hot It Gets, Warning Signs and What to Do before you settle on the sunniest option.
For the overall cost picture, see The Cost of Living in Florida for Retirees: What Is Lower, What Is Higher and How to Budget.