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FLORIDA - Florida has been ranked the sixth-best state to live in for 2025, according to WalletHub’s latest study, which examined 51 livability factors such as healthcare, housing costs, income growth, and education.
The state performed well in several key areas, including earning the top spot for the highest number of restaurants per capita.
Florida also ranked third in income growth and 24th in homeownership. However, housing affordability remains a significant concern.
Despite its strong economic performance, Florida faces the fourth-highest housing costs in the nation, just behind California, Hawaii, and Nevada.
Orlando, in particular, is grappling with rising living costs. While tourism in the area continues to thrive, drawing over 75 million visitors in 2024, local residents are increasingly priced out of the rental market.
A report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition reveals that renters in the Orlando metro area need to earn at least $33 an hour, or $69,000 annually, to afford a typical one-bedroom apartment.
For minimum-wage workers earning $13 an hour, the report indicates that they would need to work 96 hours per week to afford the same rental.
Furthermore, more than 40 percent of homeless individuals in Central Florida are children or older adults, underscoring the housing crisis.
While Florida's overall livability ranking is strong, its ongoing affordability issues present challenges for many residents.