Pros and cons of living in Florida

Wondering what life would be like in the Sunshine State? Weighing up the pros and cons of living in Florida is essential to the decision to relocate from the UK.

From year-round sunny weather to a thriving business climate, there’s no doubt that moving to Florida is an attractive option for UK expats. But it has its drawbacks, too.

In this article, we’ll explore the many advantages and disadvantages of living in this US state, so you can decide if it’s the next place to call your home.

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Pros and cons of living in Florida - An overview

Get a quick glimpse at the pros and cons of moving to Florida from the UK in this handy table:

Pros	Cons
Sunny weather all year round	Expensive home prices
No state income tax	Tourist hotspot
Pro-business climate	Lack of public transport
Culturally diverse	High insurance rates
World-class beaches and nature spots	Extreme weather
Resident discounts	Bugs and pests

Pros of living in Florida

Let’s get started by delving into the many advantages of living in this US state.

Sunny weather all year round

There’s a reason Florida gets the nickname of the “Sunshine State” – residents can enjoy between 230 to 250 days of sunshine a year!¹ The sunny climate of Florida is one of the biggest advantages of living in the state, especially for those moving from the (often dreary) UK.

Unlike the colder winters in America’s northern states, temperatures in Florida rarely dip below 11 °C, while summer in the state can bring in highs of 31 °C and 33 °C. In the southernmost part of Florida, the climate can even be described as tropical, meaning you can live in warm weather all year round.

No state income tax

As one of the US states with no income tax, living in Florida means being able to pocket your entire salary. Naturally, this can make a big difference in your budget. Coupled with a low 6% sales tax (although jurisdictional rates apply in places), the Sunshine State has a notably low tax burden in America.

While this doesn’t always mean a low cost of living – in fact, the cost of living in Florida is slightly higher than the country’s average – there are certainly advantages to the absence of state income tax.² Residents have more wiggle room for leisure activities and can build up savings more quickly.

💡 Read more: Can you keep your UK bank account when moving abroad?

Pro-business climate

Florida’s vibrant business climate is another reason why many expats move there. Not only does the state have the third-largest workforce in America, but Florida’s resilient economic environment and pro-growth policies mean it continues to rank as one of the top US states for business.³

Florida's favourable location on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts also provides easy access to global markets, with Florida named the best state for starting a business in 2025.⁴ All in all, this US state is a great place for expats to excel in a new position or advance in the ranks of a current career.

Culturally diverse

Florida’s culture is incredibly diverse, with one in five residents born in another country.⁵ Food, music and art in the state have been heavily influenced by the Cuban, Spanish and Italian immigrants (among many others) that have settled here, and immigrants are an integral part of Florida’s thriving communities.

This cultural diversity is seen as an advantage for many expats, especially those coming from diverse areas in the UK. There are also around 400,000 British nationals living in Florida,⁶ making it easier to complete your relocation to-do list like finding somewhere to live (which we go into later in this article) or opening a bank account in America.

You can also check out non-bank alternatives, like the Wise account, to manage your money in the US.

🚀 Sign up with Wise for free

World-class beaches and nature spots

Living in Florida means being next to 1350 miles of some of the most beautiful coastline in the world. Residents spend their free time making the most of the clear blue waters of the Gulf Coast and tropical sands of Key West. Beaches are family-friendly and many also allow dogs to visit and run along the sand.

As well as world-class beaches, Florida is home to a wealth of incredible nature spots. The state has over 11,000 miles of rivers, over 700 natural springs and endless opportunities for watersports like swimming and kayaking. The Everglades National Park in Miami is also popular with nature lovers and birdwatchers on the hunt for turtles, alligators and migratory birds.

Resident discounts

Florida residents can enjoy exclusive discounts on tons of in-state attractions, including renowned theme parks like Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens, and Universal Orlando Resort – great for families moving to Florida from the UK.

Many restaurants and shops in Florida also offer locals-only discounts as a way to support the state’s economy. By just showing your ID or driver’s license, you can take advantage of numerous deals across dining, shopping and accommodation.

Cons of living in Florida

There are some also cons to moving to the Sunshine Shine worth considering if you’re thinking about relocating, such as:

Expensive home prices

The cost of houses in Florida is higher than the national average, if only slightly. Prices have also seen a significant increase in recent years. In February 2020, a home in Florida cost $280,000 on average, whereas just two years later the average price was $390,000.⁷

While Florida is more affordable than other US states like California, houses in popular coastal cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale can quickly get expensive. We’ll explore the best places to live in Florida later in this article.

💡 Read more: Buying property in the US as a foreigner

Tourist hotspot

The many attractions in Florida mean it’s a massive hotspot for tourists. Residents can expect crowded beaches, slow-moving traffic and sold-out attractions in the peak winter and summer seasons, with touristy areas also coming with a higher cost of living.

As well as overcrowding in Florida’s coveted theme parks, it can sometimes be hard to do simple things like find a parking spot or book a restaurant in the state, making life more difficult for locals.

Lack of public transport

Limited options for public transport make getting around Florida hard without a car. Apart from a handful of convenient bus routes for those studying in the USA and living in college towns like Gainesville and Tallahassee in Florida, the state is incredibly car-reliant.

If you don’t live in a big city, you’ll need a car – but even those in major cities like Miami will likely have to rely on taxis or car-sharing services to get around. This lack of public transport is a particularly large drawback for expats who don’t drive or want to forgo the expense of owning a car.

High insurance rates

A recent increase in fatal accidents and “no-fault” insurance laws in Florida has caused the cost of car insurance to skyrocket, with severe weather in the state (more on this soon) also contributing to rising insurance prices.

The average monthly cost of minimum-coverage car insurance in Florida is 112% more than the US average.⁸ Hurricane season also means that Floridians pay the highest rate of home insurance in America, at nearly $11,000 each year.⁹

Extreme weather

Despite being known as the “Sunshine State,” Florida is prone to flooding and intense thunderstorms. Climate change has meant weather events like these are also increasing. Many homes in the state are susceptible to water damage from flash floods, so it’s essential to research a home’s flood zone before moving in.

There’s also hurricane season in Florida to consider, which runs from June 1st to November 30th. If you aren’t used to hurricanes, you’ll need to create an evacuation plan in case of emergency. Most insurance policies also come with a hurricane deductible, which can be a new concept for UK expats.

Bugs and pests

Bugs and pests are a staple part of living in Florida. No matter how hard you try and dodge the mosquitos, fire ants, cockroaches and termites, these critters will be eventually unavoidable. Put simply, the wildlife in Florida can take some getting used to.

Not only can these pests be uncomfortable to deal with, but they can also cause damage to your home. Termites, for example, can wreck a house and its structures if not caught quickly enough.

Quick facts about Florida

These facts and stats about Florida can help you put the pros and cons of living in this US state into context.

💰 Currency	The US Dollar (USD)
👥 Population¹⁰	Around 23 million
🗣️ Language(s)	English, Spanish
🇬🇧 Number of British expats⁶	400,000
☁️ Weather	Humid subtropical climate with plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Rainy season from May to October, and hurricane season from June 1st to November 30th.

What’s the best place to live in Florida?

Deciding where to live in Florida largely depends on what your priorities are. For example, while Miami is known for its melting pot of cultures, Tampa is more affordable than many other major cities in the state. St Petersburg on the West Coast is also considered affordable by many.

Alternatively, the college town of Gainesville or the coastal town of Melbourne are known for their vibrant arts scene, while Jacksonville offers a mixture of urban living and access to the beach.

Is Florida safe?

Like every US state, Florida has its fair share of crime. However, according to data by Safewise, Floridians are less likely to experience crime compared to nationwide averages.¹¹ That being said, property crime and violent crime remain a concern for many residents.

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Sources used:

1. Naples Daily News - sunny days in Florida
2. Unbiased.com - cost of living in Florida
3. Shopify - best states for business
4. WalletHub - best state for start-ups
5. American Immigration Council - immigrants in Florida
6. The Times - British expats in Florida
7. Zillow - Florida housing market
8. Market Watch - car insurance in Florida
9. National Association of Realtors - home insurance in Florida
10. News Week - Florida population
11. Safewise - crime rates in Florida

Sources last checked on date: 31-March-2025