Best small towns to live in Florida

1. 1
   Bristol, FL Score 80/100

   1,020 people · typical home $119k · household income $48k · schools in the top 37% of FL · 3.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

2. 2
   Marianna, FL Score 70/100

   7,150 people · typical home $99k · household income $40k · 218 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 43% of FL · 3.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

3. 3
   Graceville, FL Score 69/100

   2,483 people · typical home $121k · household income $42k · 189 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 51% of FL · 1.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

4. 4
   Chipley, FL Score 68/100

   3,683 people · typical home $144k · household income $46k · 161 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 37% of FL · 4.0% unemployment · 11 mi to a hospital

5. 5
   Malone, FL Score 68/100

   1,998 people · typical home $83k · household income $45k · 189 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 43% of FL · 4.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

6. 6
   East Palatka, FL Score 67/100

   1,494 people · typical home $203k · household income $74k · 97 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 89% of FL · 2.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

7. 7
   Blountstown, FL Score 67/100

   3,136 people · typical home $159k · household income $52k · schools in the top 39% of FL · 3.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

8. 8
   Keystone Heights, FL Score 66/100

   1,576 people · typical home $228k · household income $80k · 251 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 18% of FL · 4.0% unemployment · 21 mi to a hospital

9. 9
   Harlem, FL Score 63/100

   2,420 people · typical home $56k · household income $46k · 87 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 90% of FL · 11.0% unemployment · 15 mi to a hospital

10. 10
    Zolfo Springs, FL Score 61/100

    2,158 people · typical home $115k · household income $61k · schools in the top 71% of FL · 5.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

11. 11
    Islamorada, Village of Islands, FL Score 61/100

    7,068 people · typical home $920k · household income $87k · 159 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 40% of FL · 0.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

12. 12
    Mayo, FL Score 60/100

    1,147 people · typical home $166k · household income $54k · schools in the top 28% of FL · 10.0% unemployment · 29 mi to a hospital

13. 13
    Sneads, FL Score 60/100

    1,771 people · typical home $111k · household income $39k · 189 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 43% of FL · 6.0% unemployment · 21 mi to a hospital

14. 14
    Lake Butler, FL Score 60/100

    1,601 people · typical home $168k · household income $50k · schools in the top 39% of FL · 11.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

15. 15
    North Brooksville, FL Score 59/100

    4,227 people · typical home $210k · household income $78k · 266 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 61% of FL · 3.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

16. 16
    Trenton, FL Score 59/100

    2,320 people · typical home $184k · household income $49k · schools in the top 10% of FL · 5.0% unemployment · 25 mi to a hospital

17. 17
    Big Pine Key, FL Score 58/100

    4,258 people · typical home $637k · household income $110k · 159 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 40% of FL · 2.0% unemployment · 24 mi to a hospital

18. 18
    Wauchula, FL Score 58/100

    4,927 people · typical home $192k · household income $57k · schools in the top 71% of FL · 1.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

19. 19
    Stock Island, FL Score 58/100

    4,162 people · typical home $518k · household income $66k · 159 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 40% of FL · 2.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

20. 20
    Lake City, FL Score 57/100

    12,515 people · typical home $185k · household income $56k · 393 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 35% of FL · 3.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

21. 21
    DeFuniak Springs, FL Score 55/100

    6,532 people · typical home $201k · household income $55k · 241 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 12% of FL · 15.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

22. 22
    Andrews, FL Score 54/100

    1,275 people · typical home $154k · household income $53k · 211 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 81% of FL · 1.0% unemployment · 30 mi to a hospital

23. 23
    Cross City, FL Score 54/100

    1,955 people · typical home $97k · household income $48k · 487 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 68% of FL · 2.0% unemployment · 44 mi to a hospital

24. 24
    Big Coppitt Key, FL Score 54/100

    3,109 people · typical home $535k · household income $105k · 159 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 40% of FL · 4.0% unemployment · 17 mi to a hospital

25. 25
    Watertown, FL Score 54/100

    3,068 people · typical home $114k · household income $41k · 325 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 35% of FL · 20.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

How we ranked them

Every small town in Florida with 1,000–15,000 people that stands on its own (not part of a big metro core, by USDA rural-urban codes) and has solid Census data. Each town is scored against the others in Florida on: affordability (household income vs. home prices), safety (violent crime, FBI), schools (reading proficiency vs. other Florida districts), jobs (unemployment, half weight) and everyday access (distance to a hospital and a grocery store, quarter weight each). Missing numbers count as average.

The "best" town is different for everyone — weather, size, politics, things to do and more all matter too.

All places in Florida →