10 Top-Rated Places to Live on the Gulf Coast of Florida

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Living on the Gulf Coast

The Sunshine State of Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, relaxation, large retirement communities, partying, golf courses, etc. New residents move to the state to start businesses, boost their careers, or enjoy their post-career lifestyles. So whether you want to relax or enjoy a unique vibe, the coastal life on the Gulf of Florida could be the best place for you.

The Gulf Coast is the stretch of the coast, including the West of Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. The waterway is 11,000 miles long with a rich history of vibrant nightlife and plenty of activity, making it one of the country’s most in-demand places to visit and live. The stretches of beaches are unparalleled and offer crystal clear water, beautiful waves, and plenty of warm weather for all beachgoers.

10 Top-Rated Places to Live on The Gulf Coast of Florida

The top places to live include several beach towns on the west coast of Florida. Here are the criteria for the best Florida Gulf Coast towns.

Affordability: The cost of living, including housing, education, food, and the cost of healthcare. This compares the cost of living on the coast with the average monthly salary of residents.

Employment: For those who are not retired or a student in the state, this review of the best places to live on the Florida Gulf Coast looks at whether it is a suitable environment for employees.

Crime: Determining how safe the city is based on crime rate statistics.

Education: Determining the quality of schools on the coast of Florida, including public schools, colleges, and universities.

Below is a list of the top 10 places to live on Florida’s Gulf Coast for retirees, families, and professionals.

1. Bonita Springs

Population: 53,644

Median Home Price: $436,954

Crime: 45% lower than the national average

Unemployment: 3.8%

Bonita Springs is located between Naples and Fort Myers and offers an excellent quality of life. The city has a thriving job market with friendly residents and abundant shopping.

The town blends a suburban lifestyle with the best nightlife and an excellent public school system.

The major tourist attractions include:

• Beach Park: an off-leash dog park on the beach
• Lovers Key State Park
• Dolphin and Manatee Adventure Tour of Fort Myers
• Bonita Springs Kayak Tours
• Bandstand: a venue with live music

2. Tallahassee

Population: 385,145

Median Home Price: $71,100

Crime: 42.45

Unemployment: 4.5%

Tallahassee is the capital of Florida and offers a “Live, Work, Play” lifestyle with amenities and activities, including a Downtown Farmers Markets and a thriving restaurant and shopping scene. Tallahassee is home to many state parks, including Leon County Geological Sinks and the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. The city is affordable with a growing job market and is an education hub with two major universities, Florida A&M University and Florida State University.

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3. Siesta Key

Population: 5574

Median Home Price: $816,324

Crime: 67% lower than the national average

Unemployment: 4.5%

Siesta Key is a top-rated city for those looking for a place to retire along the Florida coastline. With white-sand beaches and beautiful sunsets, there is not much to not love about the city. The crime rate is low, and the lifestyle is grand, with several bars, restaurants, and beaches.

The most popular beaches include Turtle Beach, Crescent Beach, and Point of Rocks.

4. Fort Myers

Population: 82,229

Median Home Price: $146,800

Crime: 15% higher than the national average

Unemployment: 4.6%

Fort Myers is considered one the best places along the coast to retire on a budget.

The city is close to international airports, large shopping centers, excellent golf courses, and great weather.

Considered an emerging town in Florida on the coast, its vibrant beaches offer a lavish lifestyle. Fort Myers also has an excellent school system and a vast tourism economy.

The top destinations to visit in Fort Myers include:

• Sanibel Island
• Estero Island
• Edison and Ford Winter Estates
• Six Miles Cypress Slough Preserve
• Regional Park
• Manatee Park
• JetBlue Park

5. Naples

Population: 967,069

Median Home Price: $427,747

Crime: 87% lower than the national average

Unemployment: 4%

Naples is a wealthier city than others along the Florida coast and is known for its golf courses and shopping. It is a great city to start a family with an excellent education system and low crime rates.

The major tourist attractions include:

• Naples Zoo
• Naples Pier
• Castel Ovo: the oldest castle in Naples
• Cappella Sansevero
• Catacombs of San Gennaro

6. Pensacola

Population: 52,642

Median Home Price: $199,391

Crime: 6.12

Unemployment: 4.5 %

Pensacola is a small beach town that offers a very relaxed vibe and is an inexpensive place to live on the Florida coastline. The city has beautiful beaches with white quartz sand and abundant activities, including fishing, biking, kayaking, and other water activities.

The town also offers a rich history, including the Pensacola Historic District, where the earliest known European settlement in 1559 was founded. The cost of living is also less expensive than in the rest of the United States, and there is no state income tax.

Tourist destinations include:

• Fort Barrancas
• Naval Air Station
• Lagoon State Park

7. Sarasota

Population: 54,842

Median Home Price: $169,100

Crime: 5.49

Unemployment: 4.4%

Sarasota is a great tourist spot with a beautiful coastline for all to enjoy. The cost of living in coastal town of Florida is very low, and the education system is sound. Sarasota is known for producing its craft beers and has an active cultural scene with museums, orchestras, and artists.

The major tourist attractions include:

• Tour of celebrity homes, including Jerry Springer, Brian Johnson of AC/DC, and Stephen King
• Circus Museum
• Centre for Asian Art
• Sarasota Museum of Art
• Marie Selby Botanical Garden
• Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

8. Cape Coral

Population: 204,549

Median Home Price: $319,000

Crime: 50% lower than the national average

Unemployment: 4.5%

Cape Coral is stunning, with 400 miles of canals for fishing and boating. It is the eighth-largest city in Florida and is one of the safest cities for retirees with a low crime rate.

Cape Coral is an affordable place to live in Florida and offers one of the growing job sectors in the state. It also has excellent educational institutions like Lee County Public School District, Florida Gulf Coast University, Southwest Florida College, and Cape Coral Technical College, attracting hundreds of students every year.

The major tourist attractions include:

• Fort Myers Beach
• Sanibel Island
• Fellowship Park
• Rotary Park Environmental Center
• Harbor Gallery

9. Tampa

Population: 384959

Median Home Price: $ 338,000

Crime: 7% higher than the national average

Unemployment: 5%

Tampa is one of the fastest-growing cities along the Florida Gulf Coast. The city is known for its temperate climate and low crime rates. It is also home to many sports teams, including:

• Tampa Bay Lightning National Hockey League Team
• Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball Team
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers National Football League Team

Major tourist attractions include:

• Glazer Children’s Museum
• Anna Maria Island
• Clearwater Beach
• Busch Gardens
• The Florida Aquarium
• Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park

10. Apalachicola

Population: 2514

Median Home Price: $205,000

Crime: 43% lower than the national average

Unemployment: 4.2%

Apalachicola is located east of Panama City and south of Tallahassee. The city offers a relaxing environment with happy residents with an affordable cost of living. As a coastal town, it provides excellent views, restaurants, and small cafes.

The major tourist attractions include:

• Orman House Historic State Park
• The Raney House Museum
• Saint Vincent National Wildlife Refuge
• Apalachicola Maritime Museum

Top Beaches on the Florida Coast

If you want to search for the best place to live on the Gulf Coast of Florida, by the quality of beaches, then look no further. Here are the top beaches in Florida on the coast.

1. Siesta Key Public Beach, Sarasota

Siesta Key Public Beach is one of the best beaches in the country. It offers crystal water and fantastic quartz sand beaches. It spans eight miles on the Florida coast and is great for families with abundant amenities.

2. Clearwater Beach, Clearwater

Clearwater Beach is great for families with shallow water for small children and a playground. The lifeguards are on duty the entire year, and the beach has a pier, Pier 60, and a long, winding beach walk. In addition, Clearwater Beach Island is an excellent destination as a barrier island just off the west coast of the beach.

3. Sanibel Island Beaches, Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island Beaches is a collection of 15 beaches, each filled with its unique collection of shells. Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park is on the island’s eastern tip and has a historic lighthouse. Another beach, Bowman’s Beach, is secluded for those looking to avoid crowds. Blind Pass Beach stretches from Sanibel Island to Captiva Island and is an excellent beach for shelling.

4. Henderson Beach State Park, Destin

Henderson Beach State Park is on Florida’s Emerald Coast. The beach has towering dunes with some as tall as 30 feet.

There is a protected nirvana surrounding the beach, saving dolphins, turtles, and birds. The temperature is never too hot, and the beach has boardwalks, pavilions, and picnic tables. Fishing near this beach is world-renowned.

5. Pensacola Beach, Pensacola

Pensacola Beach has sandy shores and spectacular sunsets. The beach is eight miles long and is surrounded by the Gulf Islands National Seashore, protecting wildlife such as sea turtles, stingrays, and other marine creatures.

6. Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers

Fort Myers Beach has sugary sand and green waters. The beach slopes gently towards the Gulf of Mexico, where activities like parasailing, snorkeling, and kayaking await.

7. Pass-a-Grille Beach, St. Petersburg

This beach is a sandy escape with adventurous water sports and a vibrant shopping and dining scene. A pleasant seaside community is along the shore, creating a delightful place to spend a day.

8. Venice Beach, Venice

Dubbed a Blue Wave Beach by the Clean Beaches Coalition, tourists visit this beach for its pristine beauty. They also use a variety of amenities, including a boardwalk, volleyball courts, and a sail-shaped pavilion.

9. Naples Municipal Beach, Naples

Naples is expensive, but this charming town is worth visiting for those looking for a quiet and stylish beach vacation. Naples Municipal Beach is an elegant city with numerous upscale restaurants and shops near its shore, offering respite from the heat. As expected from a glitzy town, the beach is spotless.

10. Bean Point Beach, Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island is a small island boasting seven miles of sandy beaches. The Gulf of Mexico’s warm, turquoise water is why many visitors love to spend their time at the beach. Bean Point Beach is at the island’s northern tip and offers a secluded and tranquil beach experience.

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Other top-rated beaches include:

• Manatee Public Beach, Anna Maria Island
• Madeira Beach
• Tigertail Beach, Marco Island
• Barefoot Beach County Preserve, Naples
• Bonita Beach
• St. Pete Beach
• Navarre Beach, Navarre
• Fort De Soto Park Beach
• Pelicans at North Beach in Fort De Soto Park
• St. George Island State Park Beach, St. George Island

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the safest city to live in on Florida’s Gulf Coast?

Cape Coral is considered one of the safest places to live on the coast, with a crime rate that is 50% below the national average.

What top-rated city has the lowest median house price on the Florida West coast?

Tallahassee has the lowest median house price of $ 71,100. The city offers an affordable yet abundant lifestyle.

Summary

The top ten best places to live on the Gulf Coast of Florida are unique, stunning places to raise a family or begin a career or business. The number of residents in these cities grows year over year as more people desire the beach lifestyle, so you can rest assured that finding the perfect coastal city home that aligns with your budget can be within reach.