Quick answer
Georgia is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $336,800 versus $434,050. Florida shows +3.0% population change and Georgia +2.4%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
| Metric | Florida | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $434,050 | $336,800 |
| Median rent | $1,973/mo | $1,680/mo |
| Household income | $111,826 | $95,488 |
| Population change | +3.0% | +2.4% |
| Violent crime / 100k (state) | 248 | 301 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.9× | 3.5× |
| State wage income tax | None | Yes |
Florida in numbers
Median home value
$434,050
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,973/mo
Household income
$111,826
Violent crime / 100k
248
Florida, 2025
Population change
+3.0%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+12.0%
State wage income tax
None
Home value ÷ income
3.9×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon West, FL | 88 | $498,700 | $2,236 | $123,586 | +6.1% |
| Oakleaf Plantation, FL | 87 | $309,300 | $1,852 | $110,521 | +5.0% |
| Keystone, FL | 86 | $604,800 | $2,227 | $155,365 | +2.5% |
| Fruit Cove, FL | 85 | $451,600 | $2,261 | $137,906 | +0.8% |
| Lutz, FL | 85 | $451,800 | $1,648 | $114,516 | +8.1% |
| Apollo Beach, FL | 79 | $420,200 | $2,087 | $113,130 | +7.2% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Johns County | 80 | $457,600 | $1,775 | $106,169 | +4.9% |
| Nassau County | 78 | $351,100 | $1,335 | $88,900 | +3.4% |
| Flagler County | 70 | $333,400 | $1,687 | $72,923 | +3.6% |
| Wakulla County | 70 | $216,300 | $1,155 | $74,183 | +2.6% |
| Santa Rosa County | 68 | $302,100 | $1,445 | $88,968 | +2.5% |
| Clay County | 66 | $281,500 | $1,464 | $86,094 | +1.7% |
Georgia in numbers
Median home value
$336,800
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,680/mo
Household income
$95,488
Violent crime / 100k
301
Georgia, 2025
Population change
+2.4%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+11.0%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
3.5×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodstock, GA | 84 | $387,300 | $1,735 | $105,396 | +3.2% |
| Perry, GA | 78 | $209,300 | $1,105 | $81,648 | +4.5% |
| Snellville, GA | 74 | $293,400 | $1,794 | $88,378 | +1.5% |
| Sugar Hill, GA | 71 | $375,900 | $1,738 | $99,479 | +1.4% |
| Newnan, GA | 69 | $327,800 | $1,391 | $80,299 | +1.9% |
| Pooler, GA | 69 | $289,000 | $1,625 | $91,497 | +3.7% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forsyth County | 79 | $493,800 | $1,937 | $138,000 | +2.7% |
| Cherokee County | 75 | $389,800 | $1,703 | $105,442 | +2.2% |
| Jackson County | 74 | $312,700 | $1,048 | $85,012 | +4.7% |
| Lamar County | 74 | $201,400 | $913 | $68,457 | +2.3% |
| Habersham County | 73 | $212,000 | $939 | $65,622 | +1.3% |
| Lee County | 73 | $226,900 | $1,147 | $88,024 | +1.1% |
Verdict factors to check before you decide
- 1Price the whole address: taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA, not just the listing.
- 2Confirm the exact city, county and school assignment for the address.
- 3Drive the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
- 4Check flood, heat and storm exposure on official maps.
- 5Compare crime at the jurisdiction level, then visit at night.
Frequently asked questions
Florida vs. Georgia: Where Should You Live in 2027?
Georgia is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $336,800 versus $434,050. Florida shows +3.0% population change and Georgia +2.4%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
What are the best places to live in Florida?
In the Smart Movers Club app, the top-scoring Florida cities are Horizon West, Oakleaf Plantation, Keystone, Fruit Cove, Lutz, and the top counties are St. Johns County, Nassau County, Flagler County, Wakulla County. Scores combine income, housing, growth, employment and education.
Does Florida have a state income tax?
Florida does not tax wage income at the state level. Property, sales and other local taxes still apply, so compare the full cost.
Where does this data come from?
Figures come from the Smart Movers Club app, which compiles U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates and FBI state crime rates. Census figures are survey estimates, not live listing prices.
