Florida Keys and Key West 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:
Boise Idaho is ranked at a 94.0
Boston Mass is rated at 127.60
San Francisco at 187.23
• Statewide, Florida cities come in from a low of 90 and up.
• One way to compare Florida areas to salary requirements
For example-If you were relocating from Portland Oregon (whose rate is
110.0) to Orlando, and you currently make $50,000 per year, the formula
is as follows
• Take the destination index, in this case Orlando-94.2 and divide by
Portland’s index-110, then multiply by a salary of $50,000. This will
give you a figure of $42,818, 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
at 160 plus. (this is due to the home prices in the Keys).
We only have so much land and the area is heavily regulated as to building
permits....A tropical
paradise is in the same venue as any resort destination area, be it Martha's
Vineyard or Sun Valley.
However compared to other areas nationally and given the amenities of
the Keys, it is a great place to live, work and play.
(Population Weighted-State Average=100
2008-09 stats Source C2ER formerly accra-col index and
http://www.bestplaces.net/
Boca Raton-154.74
Cape Coral-Ft Myers-99.6
Ft Lauderdale-137.0
Destin-145.61
Jacksonville metro-97.1
Big Pine Key fl-132.46
Key Largo-146.9
Key West-167.97
Marathon fl-162.06
Miami metro-137.41
Melbourne-92.72
Naples Fl-250.59
Orlando metro-101
Palm Bay-84.56
Palm Coast-Flagler-125.01
Panama City-86.35
Pensacola metro-82.0
Sarasota-107.2
Tampa 97.3
St Pete-Clearwater-95.6
Vero-Beach Indian River-122.87
West Palm Beach metro-112.05
(Population Weighted-State Average=100
See national comparisons
Cost of living (100 = nationwide average)
* New York, NY -164.50
* Long Beach, CA -135.71
* Palo Alto, CA -234.42
* Boston, MA -127.60
* Malibu, CA -492.80
* San Francisco, -187.23
* Greenwich, CT 215
* Chicago, IL -126.45
* Dallas Tx -92,94
* Atlanta Ga -112.21
For more information about cost of living go to either
Sperlings best Places http://www.bestplaces.net/
or Accra's site at http://www.coli.org/
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
