Florida’s allure has always been its promise — warm weather, opportunity, and a better life under the sun. But a growing number of residents now say that promise is slipping away, as the cost of living climbs faster than paychecks and patience.
A new statewide survey from Florida Atlantic University’s Business and Economics Polling Initiative shows nearly half of Floridians have considered leaving the state because they can no longer afford to live here. It’s a striking statistic for a state that, for decades, has been one of the nation’s top relocation destinations.
“Florida still represents opportunity for many,” said Dr. Monica Escaleras, who directs the FAU polling initiative. “But it’s becoming expensive to hold onto the lifestyle that drew people here in the first place.”
The Price of Sunshine
Across the board, Floridians say daily life has become unaffordable with the current cost of living.
Nine out of ten respondents expressed concern about inflation, and more than half said they are very concerned. Housing topped the list of worries — eight in ten said they’re struggling with rising home or rent prices, and nearly half described that concern as severe.
When asked to name the biggest obstacles to homeownership, respondents cited high home prices, steep interest rates, and the difficulty of saving for a down payment. The majority of Floridians — 79 percent — believe buying a home today is harder than it was just five years ago. While 77 percent still see homeownership as a core part of the American Dream, only about half say they feel confident they could actually afford to buy a home right now.
For many, that dream has become symbolic rather than achievable. “I love Florida,” said one respondent from the Tampa Bay area, “but between insurance, taxes, and groceries, I don’t see how we’ll ever own a house here.”
Living on the Edge
The financial anxiety extends well beyond housing. Nearly 70 percent of Floridians say they live paycheck to paycheck at least part of the time, and almost half report they’re doing so right now. Fewer than half — 48 percent — have an emergency fund that could carry them for three months.
When asked why they’re unable to save, 43 percent pointed directly to the high cost of living, far outpacing concerns about debt or income. “For most people,” Escaleras said, “financial security in Florida feels fragile — one unexpected expense away from collapse.”
That fragility is most visible among middle-income families and renters. In the FAU poll, those earning under $75,000 a year were most likely to say they’d thought about leaving the state. Many in that group reported cutting back on dining out, travel, and even healthcare expenses just to keep up with the basics.
The Migration Dilemma
Florida’s population continues to rise, fed largely by new arrivals from northern and western states. But that growth may be masking a quieter trend — long-time residents moving out. Nearly half of the poll’s respondents said they’ve considered relocating to a cheaper state such as Georgia, Tennessee, or the Carolinas.
One respondent from Central Florida put it bluntly: “We came here for a better life. Now we’re looking somewhere else for the same reason.”
That sentiment has local economists concerned. If residents begin leaving as fast as newcomers arrive, Florida’s workforce and housing stability could be at risk. Escaleras warned that “Florida’s economy thrives on migration and consumer confidence. If affordability continues to erode, both are in danger.”ope in the Midst of Strain
Despite the financial pressures, many Floridians remain cautiously optimistic. More than half believe future generations will have a better life, with about one-third saying they’re very confident their own household finances will improve in the next two to five years.
“It’s not pessimism we’re seeing,” Escaleras said. “It’s realism. Floridians are concerned, but they still believe in themselves and in their ability to adapt.”
Younger Floridians — particularly those under 35 — expressed the most optimism about their futures, even while acknowledging the affordability crisis. Older residents, especially retirees on fixed incomes, were far more likely to say the state has simply become too expensive to live in comfortably.Who’s Being Squeezed the Most
The poll found affordability concerns cut across party lines, income brackets, and regions, but some groups feel it more sharply:
- South Florida residents — especially in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties — were most likely to report feeling priced out due to high rents, insurance rates, and property taxes.
- Central Florida respondents — in areas like Orlando, Lakeland, and Tampa Bay — expressed strong concern about rising grocery and energy costs.
- North Florida and Panhandle residents cited lower wages and limited job growth as major obstacles, even as housing remains somewhat cheaper than in the southern part of the state.
The strain also varies by age. Young adults (18–34) report frustration with the housing market and stagnant wages, while seniors (65 and older) worry about the affordability of insurance and healthcare.
The Fading Dream
The FAU poll calls this tension “the Sunshine Squeeze” — an economy that shines with opportunity but tightens its grip on those trying to hold on.
In short, Florida is still growing, but it’s also growing more expensive. For some, the dream of living in the Sunshine State remains worth the struggle. For others, it’s no longer sustainable.
“Florida used to be where people went to make life easier,” said one respondent from Jacksonville. “Now it feels like the place where you work harder just to stay afloat.”
The Florida American Dream, once synonymous with possibility, is now defined by persistence. Floridians haven’t given up on that dream — but increasingly, they’re realizing it might take leaving the state to find it again.
