3 Florida cities ranked ‘Best Places to Live in the U.S.’: report

Katlyn Brieskorn
·3 min read
4

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Three Florida cities were recently ranked among the “best” places to live in the United States.

Money said it looked at economic opportunities, quality of life, diversity, and where the best futures lie to come up with the top 50 cities in America.

The report ranked Atlanta, Georgia as the best place to live because of its “booming jobs market and eye on equality.”

Three Florida cities made the list: Tampa (No. 9), Altamonte Springs (No. 33) and Sarasota (No, 43).

Tampa, Florida

Money said Tampa is “a rare combination of action-packed and affordable.” The report said median home sales in the city are about $381,000, which is one of the lowest on the list.

“There’s nightlife galore in the Ybor City district. Tampa’s 20- and 30-somethings also flock to spots like Angry Chair Brewing, which serves its famous stouts alongside kitchen faves like pickle dip, and Taco Bus, which was dishing burritos out of its yellow school bus way before food trucks were cool,” Money reported.

The downsides of living in Tampa are the traffic and climate, which Money said is “sweltering and hurricane-prone in the summer.”

“If you can stand the heat — pun intended — you’ll benefit,” Money said.

Quick facts about Tampa:

  • Population: 379,742

  • Median household income: $70,145

  • Median home price: $381,352

  • Unemployment rate: 2.7%

Altamonte Springs, Florida

Altamonte Springs, which is about 30 minutes from Disney World and an hour to the beach was the second Florida city ranked on Money’s list.

Money said Altamonte Springs “doesn’t feel overly busy” and the cost of living is “pretty average” when compared with the other places on the list.

“Central Florida is prone to hurricanes and political turmoil, but on the plus side, it doesn’t charge a state income tax,” Money said.

Another perk about Altamonte Springs is that the area boasts a nearly 93% high graduation rate, according to Money. The report said the residents enjoy a good mix of recreation and education.

Quick facts about Altamonte Springs

  • Population: 44,383

  • Median household income: $62,762

  • Median home price: $210,105

  • Unemployment rate: 2.7%

Sarasota, Florida

Money called Sarasota a “paradise for beach, culture and wildlife lovers.”

“Sunbathers can enjoy sandy stretches on nearby Siesta Key (which has a thriving social scene — ever seen that MTV reality show?) and Longboat Key (where hundreds of sea turtles lay their eggs every year). Art fans won’t feel out of place, either. Sarasota boasts the Ringling Museum, a museum built by circus operator John Ringling and his wife in the 1920s. Styled after the Uffizi in Florence, Italy, the museum is home to pieces from artists like Peter Paul Rubens as well as a massive courtyard filled with bronze cast statues — including a replica of Michelangelo’s David,” Money reported.

A downside to Sarasota is that the homes are expensive. Money’s data showed that the median home sale price in 2022 was over $568,000.

Money said the population in Sarasota tends to be older and less diverse than neighboring Tampa.

Quick facts about Sarasota:

  • Population: 56,115

  • Median household income: $64,142

  • Median home price: $368,733

  • Unemployment rate: 2.6%

These are the 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2022-2023, according to Money:

  1. Atlanta, Georgia

  2. Tempe, Arizona

  3. Kirkland, Washington

  4. Raleigh, North Carolina

  5. Rogers Park (Chicago), Illinois

  6. Columbia, Maryland

  7. Somerville, Massachusetts

  8. Ann Arbor, Michigan

  9. Tampa, Florida

  10. Jersey City, New Jersey

  11. Boise, Idaho

  12. Chapel Hill, North Carolina

  13. Irvine, California

  14. Fort Lee, New Jersey

  15. Arlington, Virginia

  16. Naperville, Illinois

  17. Milton, Massachusetts

  18. Fremont, California

  19. Carmel, Indiana

  20. Rockville, Maryland

  21. Franklin, Tennessee

  22. San Diego, California

  23. Hillsboro, Oregon

  24. Abington, Pennsylvania

  25. San Jose, California

  26. Alexandria, Virginia

  27. Chanhassen, Minnesota

  28. Denver, Colorado

  29. Overland Park, Kansas

  30. Morristown, New Jersey

  31. Lafayette, Colorado

  32. Camas, Washington

  33. Altamonte Springs, Florida

  34. South Burlington, Vermont

  35. Marietta, Georgia

  36. Kirkwood, Missouri

  37. Glen Cove, New York

  38. Kaneohe, Hawaii

  39. Hutto, Texas

  40. Madison, Wisconsin

  41. Salt Lake City, Utah

  42. Bentonville, Arkansas

  43. Sarasota, Florida

  44. Nashua, New Hampshire

  45. Norman, Oklahoma

  46. Greenville, South Carolina

  47. Juneau, Alaska

  48. Coralville, Iowa

  49. Jeffersonville, Indiana

  50. Sparks, Nevada

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