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Why Florida Is No Longer The Best State To Retire In

Author Tampa Bay's Morning Krewe

So, in 2022 Florida was named as the best state to retire in. Now, it isn’t even in the Top 5. So, what happened? Bankrate came up the best and worst states to retire in 2023. Last year Florida was #1 state to retire in and this year it comes in at #8. The way Bankrate comes up with the list is that they look at a number of factors. Those are: affordability, overall well-being, the cost and quality of healthcare, weather and crime.

According to their ranking Florida ranks third for well-being and weather. The problem is that the state doesn’t even rank in the Top 20 in affordability (35th), cost of healthcare (21st) and crime rank (27th). Inflation did not help Florida this year as some of the highest inflation rates are right here in the Tampa Bay area.

Who dethroned Florida for the best retirement state?

The best state to retire in according to this study is Iowa. Iowa ranks #3 in affordability. The state also ranked 31st in well-being and 38th in weather, so obviously affordability was a key factor for the list this year. The other states in the Top 5 are Delaware, West Virginia, Missouri and Mississippi.

The worst state to retire in according to this study is Alaska. No surprise there, most retiree’s plan to get away from cold weather. They rank 43rd in affordability, 49th in crime and 50th in weather.

[SOURCE: WTSP]

Jen was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. She’s been with Beasley Media Group since 2022. In her spare time, you can find her at Tampa Bay Lightning games, Tampa Bay breweries, or the beach. Catch up on Jen’s content about the highest-rated restaurants/bars in Tampa, things-to-do around the area, and upcoming concerts.

7 Tampa Bay Area Cities With The Most Affordable Rental Prices

Trying to rent an affordable apartment or home in the Tampa Bay area can be rough, especially if you’re on a budget. It’s no secret that the cost of living in Tampa Bay has skyrocketed over the past few years. Thankfully, we found this list from Zumper.com of the most affordable places to rent in the Tampa Bay area. Note these are for 1 bedroom apartments. Prices get a little higher when searching for 2 bedroom places.

Related: Tampa Suburb Named As Best Place To Live In Florida

According to Zumper, the one bedroom median rent in Florida for the month of July was $1,674. The monthly national median rent is $1,702 (according to RentCafe). So we guess it could be slightly worse. One would normally guess the most expensive city for rentals is in the Miami area. But actually, the most expensive city to rent a one bedroom apartment in Florida is Venice. You’ll have to cough up $2,260 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.  Don’t expect these prices to stay “affordable” for long. Zumper predicts that these rental prices will increase 27.6% increase year-over-year.

Why move to Florida?

You may be asking, if it’s so expensive, why would someone even move to Florida? Well the year-round sunshine sure does beat shoveling snow for 6 months of the year. Plus you never really get tired of all the water activities like snorkeling, jet skiing, or just tanning in the hot sun at our gorgeous beaches. We also love to root for our champion winning sports teams and dining at some of the country’s best restaurants. Not to mention that no state income tax comes in handy when your rent is almost on par/more than the national average.

Here are the 7 Tampa Bay area cities with the most affordable rental prices

  • 7. Bradenton

    The median price for a 1 bedroom apartment in Bradenton is $1,570. Prices in this city usually stay around this average (at least for now). There’s plenty to see and do in this area, including checking out the clear blue waters at Anna Maria Island, or trying some new brews at Motorworks Brewery.

     

  • 6. Largo

    Expect Largo to be another fast growing Florida city. With it’s central location to Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Pete, it makes it a great location for newcomers. Plus, they’ll have the first drive-thru Wawa in Florida! Not that that should be the highest priority on your list, but it is a bonus! The median rent for a one bedroom apartment in Largo is $1,560. Two bedrooms are only about $300 more.

    Largo police car

  • 5. Clearwater

    That’s right, the home to the best beach in the south is also one of the more affordable Tampa Bay area cities for rental. That is, if you don’t plan on living directly on the beach. The median one bedroom rental price in Clearwater is $1,510. But expect to pay over $600 more for a two bedroom place.

    4 Florida White Sand Beaches Named Prettiest In America

    Getty Royalty Free

  • 4. South Bradenton

    Same perks as Bradenton, just a little more inland. This means that the one bedroom rental prices are about $200 cheaper. The median price according to Zumper is $1,380.

    Bradenton Beach Historic Pier Sign on Anna Maria Island, Florida

  • 3. Tarpon Springs

    We wish Tarpon Springs would get more love when talking about the best cities in Tampa Bay. There’s so much culture in the area that leaves you with countless of things to do. Check out Fred Howard park, the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks, or enjoy some authentic Greek food! The median one-bedroom cost here is $1,340.

  • 2. Lakeland

    Lakeland is also one of the fastest growing cities in Florida. With it being in the middle of Tampa and Orlando, many see the best of both worlds in that city. Plus there are some great shopping and dining options in Downtown Lakeland! The median one bedroom rental here is $1,320 and only $100 more for a two bedroom!

  • 1. Winter Haven

    The number 1 city in the Tampa Bay area with the cheapest rent is Winter Haven. This area has 50 lakes within its borders, including its famous Chain of Lakes. It’s also super close to some other popular fresh-water springs. The median price for a one-bedroom apartment here is $1,250 and is $1,460 for a two bedroom!

    5 Springs That Are Worth The Drive From Tampa

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Author Tampa Bay's Morning Krewe
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