If you’ve found your reason to move to Florida, Miami may be the first city you consider as a possible place to live. There’s a lot to like about the Magic City, but it’s not perfect.
Imagine starting every day with a walk on the beach and ending it with cocktails at one of the best restaurants in the world. If that sounds appealing, then Miami could be the place of your dreams. On the other hand, if navigating through the worst traffic in the U.S. and paying half of your income towards rent don’t sound great, then perhaps Miami isn’t right for you.
This guide will give you a local’s perspective about the real pros and cons of living in Miami to help you decide if you want to move here. Here’s a quick overview, feel free to read on or click below to skip to a specific section:
Pro: Great weather most of the year
There’s a reason why Florida, and Miami in particular, are famous for “snowbirds.” People from all over the world flock here in the winter because the temperature rarely goes below 60°F.
From September through May, the weather is usually near perfect between 70°F-85°F. You’ll rarely need a winter jacket and can swim in the pool the entire year. Unlike other parts of the country, you’ll also be able to dine outdoors or have a backyard barbecue any time you like.
However, this is also true for most of the state. If you’re not a fan of big cities, there are plenty of other places you can move to in Florida with similar weather.
Con: Brutal summers
There’s a downside to Miami’s tropical climate. The weather is ideal for most of the year, but summer is a different story.
Florida is hotter than other parts of the country because it’s closer to the equator and the surrounding oceans create humidity. Miami is even warmer because it’s right next to the Atlantic Ocean and further south.
As a result, summer heat is harsher in Miami than most of Florida. The temperature rarely goes above 92°F, but the humidity will make you feel like you’re in a sauna when you step outside.
Summer also marks the beginning of hurricane season throughout south Florida, which lasts from June through November. Hurricane Irma was the last hurricane to make landfall in Miami back in 2017. The city can go years without experiencing a hurricane, but tropical storms happen more regularly.
Pro: Amazing restaurants for every taste
The food scene is a huge plus of living in Miami. You can find great Latin American restaurants, cafés, food trucks, and bakeries on pretty much any street in the city. Some of our favorites:
- Aromas Del Peru (Peruvian, Coral Gables and Kendall)
- Cantina La Veinte (Mexican, Brickell)
- Pepito’s Plaza (Venezuelan, Doral and Brickell)
- Versailles (Cuban, Coral Gables)
Miami is known for its Latin cuisine, but you’ll be able to find an amazing restaurant for whatever you’re craving. Here are just a few:
- Ficelle Bakery (French bakery, Allapatah)
- Forte dei Marmi (Italian, Miami Beach)
- Hometown BBQ (American barbecue, Allapatah)
- Joe’s Stone Crab (Seafood, Miami Beach)
- Malakor Thai Isaan (Thai, Coral Gables)
- Moxies (Casual, Brickell)
- Uchi (Japanese, Wynwood)
One small disclaimer, if you’re moving here from New York City or Chicago, you may be disappointed by most of the pizza. We recommend checking out La Natural for the best pizza in Miami.
Con: Miami has the least affordable housing in the U.S.
Housing affordability and availability are such problems in Miami that the city was recently called the “epicenter” of the U.S. housing crisis. This has only gotten worse after so many people moved here during the pandemic.
If you’re considering moving to Miami, you may want to find a roommate in advance to share the cost. Most people simply cannot afford to pay the average rent on their own.
It’s a common joke in the Miami dating scene that if your date tells you they live alone, you should marry them (because they must be a very high earner).
Don’t believe any figures that tell you that the average rent here is less than $2,000 for a single bedroom. From our experience, RentCafe has the most accurate and up-to-date data available on average rent in Miami, which is currently around $2,300.
If you’re thinking about buying a home, median home prices in Miami are around $532,000. Not only is this a 42% increase over the past two years, but this would also make Miami the least affordable housing market in the country relative to the population’s average income.
Pro: No personal income tax
Some of Miami’s high cost of living is offset by the lack of state or local personal income taxes. If you move here, your personal income will not be taxed by the state of Florida or Miami-Dade county.
However, no income tax doesn’t mean no taxes at all. Florida collects taxes from residents through a general 6% sales tax on items bought within the state.
You’ll pay an additional 6% on any purchase you make. So, if you buy an item for $100, your total will be $106.
Since items are generally more expensive in Miami than other parts of Florida, your expenses (and taxes) can slowly add up.
Con: Miami is one of the most expensive cities in the U.S.
If you’re moving from New York City or San Francisco, Miami may seem like a relative bargain. However, most people will find that Miami is too expensive.
With the exception of Key West, Miami is the most expensive place to live in Florida, and the cost of living is significantly higher than most of the state. Even excluding housing costs, everyday expenses like food will hurt your pocket on a daily basis.
Information available online about Miami’s cost of living varies from wildly inaccurately to slightly beneath reality. As a result, it’s difficult to calculate exactly how Miami’s cost of living compares to the rest of the country. We’ll say from experience that it’s cheaper than New York City or California, but far more expensive than most other places in the U.S.
These figures from Numbeo are the closest we can find that reflect the true cost of living in Miami, although they’re still low. In reality, items like a carton of eggs are around $4.50, and a gallon of milk is around $5.00.
Pro: Endless outdoor recreational options
When we say “endless,” we mean it. Miami has over 147 public parks, gardens, recreation areas and playgrounds for you and your friends/family to enjoy. Some of our favorites:
For golfers, Miami-Dade has dozens of public and private golf courses. As an added bonus, public courses offer residents lower rates in and out of season.
- Peak season, when rates are highest, lasts from mid-December to the end of April.
- The summer season, when rates are lowest, lasts from the beginning of May through Halloween.
If you’re interested in water sports, Miami means you’ll be able to enjoy any of the following year round:
- Snorkeling
- Scuba diving
- Fishing
- Surfing
- Paddleboarding
- Kayaking
Pro: Miami is a diverse city
Living in Miami means you’ll be in one of the most unique “melting pots” in the U.S. More than half of Miami-Dade’s residents were born outside the country. On any given day, you might overhear people talking in Spanish, English, Creole, French, Portuguese, or Russian.
Every Latin American country in the world is well-represented in Miami. For example, Hialeah is 73% Cuban-American, with the largest Cuban population in the world outside of Cuba.
Some other interesting examples:
- Little Haiti is 65% Black, with a large Haitian-born population
- Miami Beach’s population is 80% Jewish
- 28% of Doral residents are Venezuelan-born
But that hardly captures the entirety of Miami’s vibrant population.
Con: You may need to learn Spanish
You may not actually need to learn Spanish, but it certainly helps when moving to Miami. English-only speakers should be warned that you’ll encounter a language barrier here far more often than other parts of the country.
Miami is often referred to as the “capital of Latin America.” Nearly 75% of Miami-Dade residents are Hispanic/Latino. Over 2 in 3 of them speak Spanish at home, implying it’s the preferred language.
You can get by without a basic understanding of Spanish, but it really helps if you’re ever in need of directions or find yourself negotiating for goods and services.
If you’re looking for a new job in Miami, Spanish proficiency may actually be a requirement depending on your profession.
Pro: Miami has a thriving art and fashion scene
If you move to Miami, there are tons of great neighborhoods for art and fashion.
Wynwood is the center of Miami’s art scene. In addition to being a cool part of town to live or visit, the Wynwood Walls are arguably the most famous exhibit of urban graphic art in the world. It used to be free to the public but now costs $12 for a general admission ticket.
The Miami Design District is another great neighborhood to visit for its cool fashion, design, art, and architecture. Same with the Brickell City Centre.
If you’re a fan of architecture, the historic Art Deco District in Miami Beach will give you a taste of the quintessential “Miami aesthetic.” Art Basel, the largest gathering of galleries, artists, and collectors in the world, also takes place in Miami Beach every year.
For just a taste of art gazing and fine dining, you can visit the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens or the Pérez Art Museum.
Con: Miami culture is all about appearances
Most Miamians will readily admit that the culture here is very superficial. People place very high importance on material things and appearances.
You’ll be judged by the clothing brands you wear or the car you drive. It’s pretty typical to see someone go into debt to lease or rent a car they can’t afford to give the impression that they’re successful.
Pro: Professional sports franchises
Even if you’re not a sports fan, attending a game in Miami is easy, affordable, and lots of fun.
The Miami Heat are probably the hottest ticket in town after they nearly went to the NBA Finals in 2022. In addition to exciting action on the court, in true Miami fashion, there’s also a nightclub in FTX Arena. You can get Heat tickets for as low as $18 during the regular season.
For professional football, the Miami Dolphins are one of the most promising young teams in the NFL. Regular season tickets start around $85. They also play at the Hard Rock Stadium, so you can take a trip to the Hard Rock Casino after the game and try your luck at the slots.
Baseball lovers will enjoy watching the Miami Marlins play at loanDepot park. Although the team is currently in a rebuilding phase, it’s worth the $24 to check them out and enjoy the festivities.
Soccer fans can make the trip to catch an Inter Miami game. Their home games are played at DRV PNK Stadium, which is actually located in Ft. Lauderdale (roughly a 40 minute drive north from Miami). Miami Inter tickets go for around $24.
Con: Comparatively low paying jobs and income inequality
Trade, logistics, hospitality, and real estate are the dominant industries in Miami, but the city is also quickly becoming an international hub for financial services. Despite these thriving industries and an abundance of job opportunities, the typical salary in Miami is below the national average.
According to Miami-Dade Matters, the average salary in Miami is around $92,000. Let’s just assume that Miami’s highest earners throw that figure off significantly.
ZipRecruiter more reasonably estimates the average to be closer to $66,000. This would place it below the national average of roughly $76,000.
When you take into account Miami’s higher housing costs and overall cost of living, this means your average worker will struggle to get by.
For what it’s worth, locals favor working remotely because out-of-state businesses pay higher salaries than Miami-based companies.
Pro: Beautiful beaches
There’s really nothing better than enjoying a day at one of Miami’s world-famous beaches. South Beach is probably the most famous, but that’s far from the only option. There are over 35 miles of pristine sand and water in Miami, some of our favorites include:
- Sunny Isles Beach – Bal Harbour
- Oleta River State National Park – North Miami Beach
- Bal Harbour – Miami Beach
- South Pointe Park – Miami Beach
- Virginia Key – Biscayne Bay
- Haulover Beach – Bal Harbour (nude beach)
Crandon Park in Biscayne Bay gets our vote for the best beach in Miami.
Con: Miamians are not very friendly
Floridians in general are very kind and polite. In most parts of the state, strangers will greet you with a smile or hold a door open for you. This is definitely not the case in Miami.
Like most big cities in the U.S., many people here can be quite cold to strangers. It can be an unpleasant experience if you’re moving from a small town or a more welcoming area.
It’s not impossible to make friends while living in Miami, but it may be harder here.
Pro: Fantastic nightlife
Miami’s nightlife is a major reason why it’s one of the most popular tourist and moving destinations in the country. There’s something distinct for everybody in each neighborhood.
Miami Beach is a great place to enjoy a meal or drink right on the beach. Known for its high-level restaurants and hotels, this is where the famous SoHo House is located.
Wynwood is a trendy neighborhood that’s popular with younger crowds. It’s got great food, but is probably best known for its bars and live music scene.
Brickell is the most upscale location as Miami’s financial center. Connected to Downtown Miami, this is where you’ll find the best restaurants and cocktails in the city.
Calle Ocho (8th Street) in Little Havana offers one of the most unique experiences in the city. Here you’ll find live jazz and authentic Cuban dance clubs.
Coconut Grove and Coral Gables are a bit quieter, and are great places for celebratory dinners (like anniversaries) or enjoying a night out with the family.
Con: Rowdy tourists
Miami’s famous nightlife and events like the Ultra Music Festival, Art Basel, college spring break, or the Bitcoin Conference attract millions of visitors every year. Tourism is fantastic for the city’s economy and hospitality industry, but it comes at a price.
Parts of Miami, like the famous South Beach, can feel like you’re in Las Vegas or Bourbon Street with the amount of tourists getting drunk and rowdy in the streets.
There’s nothing wrong with people coming here to enjoy themselves, but it gets out of control. The city often declares a state of emergency during spring break due to the amount of property damage that happens.
Pro: Easy international flights and cruises
If you’re a fan of international travel or in the mood for an island getaway, living in Miami means that those options are never far away.
Miami International Airport is a hub to get anywhere in Latin America or the Caribbean.
For example, The Bahamas are an hour away by plane, and typically costs around $200 for round-trip tickets.
Here are some other top destinations that are a short flight away:
| Destination | Flight Time |
| The Valley, Anguilla | 3.5 hours |
| Oranjestad, Aruba | 3 hours |
| San José, Costa Rica | 3 hours |
| Medellín, Colombia | 3.5 hours |
| Bogotá, Colombia | 3.5 hours |
| Havana, Cuba | 1-1.5 hours |
| Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | 2.5 hours |
| Kingston, Jamaica | Under 2 hours |
| Cancún, Mexico | Under 2 hours |
| San Juan, Puerto Rico | 2.5 hours |
Miami is also known as the Cruise Capital of the World because so many major cruise lines use PortMiami as a port of call, including:
- Carnival Cruises
- Virgin Voyages
- Norwegian Cruise Lines
- Disney Cruise Line
- Miami Royal Caribbean
- Celebrity Cruises
- Costa Cruises
- Viking Cruises
For a complete directory or to connect with an agent, check out PortMiami’s website.
Con: The worst drivers in the U.S.
Florida was recently “honored” as the state with the 4th-worst drivers in the country. Miami drivers are the worst of the worst.
Even if you’re a safe driver, you’ll pay the price for the terrible drivers here. Car insurance premiums in Miami are 82% higher than the national average, and over 17% higher than Florida’s average.
Aside from the awful traffic, driving anywhere in Miami is stressful because of aggressive or
inconsiderate drivers. It seems like no one knows how to use a turn signal and you will be cut off on a regular basis.
Distracted driving is also off the charts in Miami. If ever you’re behind a car at a red light, it’s practically guaranteed that the driver will not notice the light changes because they’re on their phone.
It’s frequently misstated that texting while driving is a secondary offense in Florida. It was actually deemed a primary offense in 2020, meaning the police can and will pull you over for texting while driving. However, this doesn’t seem to be an effective deterrent in Miami.
Con: Miami traffic is bad, like really bad
Miami wasn’t built or planned to support the amount of cars on the road today. As a result, traffic is arguably the worst part about living in Miami. Getting from Point A to Point B anywhere in the city usually takes a minimum of 15 minutes on a good day.
Miami has made efforts to improve its public transportation in recent years, but it historically has a poor reputation and lags behind other major cities.
If you have to commute to work, spending hours stuck in rush hour traffic will significantly reduce your quality of life.
Although you’re never far from the beach physically, the time it takes to get there by car will put a damper on your plans – especially on the weekend.
Verdict: Is Miami A Good Place To Live?
If you’re willing to put up with traffic and a possible culture shock, Miami’s weather, beautiful scenery, art and architecture, and entertainment options make it one of the more attractive places to live. Travel lovers will also appreciate that it’s an easy gateway to other parts of the world.
However, Miami is more expensive than most places in the U.S. Unless you’re moving from select cities like New York or San Francisco, you’ll be sorely disappointed if saving money is your motivation for moving to Miami.
If you’ve decided Miami is right for you, then be sure to check out or Moving to Florida Checklist to help with your relocation. We’ll see you when you get here!
