Florida Keys and Monroe County Cost of Living

The cost of living index is based on the composite price of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, clothing and entertainment.
Cost of living indexes will generally be higher in areas that offer access to beaches, culture, arts and recreation. In addition, areas that offer a wider variety of services such as health and education will run higher due to higher wages, and increased quality of living.

Cost of living indexing explanation
A figure of 100 points is used as an average both for the USA and Florida. For example:
* New York, NY -169.0
* Long Beach, CA -141.0
* Palo Alto, CA -310.0
* Boston, MA -149.0
* Malibu, CA -331.0
• Statewide, Florida cities come in from a low of 88 and up.

One way to compare Florida areas to salary requirements:

For example-If you were relocating from Portland Oregon (whose rate is 116.0) to Orlando, and you currently make $50,000 per year, the formula is as follows
• Take the destination index, in this case Orlando-91.0 and divide by Portland’s index-116, then multiply by a salary of $50,000. This will give you a figure of $39,224.00, which you would be required to make in Orlando and have the same quality of life.

The Keys and Monroe County top out the state at an average Cost of Living of 140 plus. This is mostly due to the cost of housing, whether you’re buying or renting. We only have so much land and the building permits in the Keys are heavily regulated. IT’S A GREAT TIME TO BUY IN PARADISE! We’re currently experiencing a buyers’ market, prices are down and there are many excellent opportunities to buy before the market takes off again.

Compared to other areas nationally and given the amenities of the Keys, the Florida Keys are a wonderful place to live, work and play.
(Population Weighted-State Average=100

2011-2012 stats Source http://www.bestplaces.net/col/

Boca Raton-111.0
Cape Coral-Ft Myers-93.0
Ft Lauderdale-108.0
Destin-115.0
Jacksonville metro-88.0
Big Pine Key fl-123.0
Key Largo-143.0
Key West-141.00
Marathon fl-130.0
Miami metro-108.0
Melbourne-88.0
Naples Fl-161.0
Orlando metro-91
Palm Bay-86
Palm Coast-Flagler-91.0
Panama City-89.0
Pensacola metro-90.0
Sarasota-93.0
Tampa 88.0
St Pete-Clearwater-87
Vero-Beach Indian River-94.0
West Palm Beach metro-95.0
(Population Weighted-State Average=100
See national comparisons
Cost of living (100 = nationwide average)

* New York, NY -169.0
* Long Beach, CA -141.0
* Palo Alto, CA -310.0
* Boston, MA -149.0
* Malibu, CA -331.0
* San Francisco, -199.0
* Chicago, IL -105.0
* Dallas Tx -88.0
* Atlanta Ga -94.0

For more information about cost of living go to
Sperlings best Places http://www.bestplaces.net/

For Utility charges
Water
• The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority provides water for the entire Keys:
• Tavernier.....305 852-8068
• Marathon.....305 743-5409
• Lower Keys.....305 296-2454

For Electric
• The Florida Keys Electric Cooperative
• provides power for the upper Keys:
• Tavernier.....305 852-2431
• Marathon, 3421 O/S Hwy.....305 743-5344
• Key West City Electric
• provides power for the Lower Keys
• 1001 James St, Key West.....305 294-5272

Gas.
Propane is available from local dealers                       

Telephone Companies:
• Bell South
• Residential Services.....305 780-2500   
• Business Services.....305 780-2800

Florida Keys Electric Cooperative

Keys Energy

Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority

BellSouth
Most homes in the Keys are on septic tanks with a few exceptions-Key West-Marathon. Garbage pickup is included in your taxes

Courtesy of:

TEAM MULLINS
Fred Mullins, PA, Donna Mullins, Erin Biby
Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Company
1201 White Street, Suite 101
Key West, FL, 33040
305-745-9440
mullinsf@bellsouth.net