A significant portion of Florida residents are contemplating a move out of the Sunshine State, with a recent survey indicating that one in four are "seriously considering" leaving due to the escalating cost of living. When those who are "somewhat considering" leaving are included, the figure rises to half of all Floridians.
Key Takeaways
- A quarter of Florida residents are seriously considering leaving the state due to the high cost of living.
- Housing affordability is a major concern, with eight in 10 Floridians expressing worry.
- Younger residents (18-24) are most likely to consider leaving, with 72% expressing this sentiment.
- Democrats are more inclined to consider leaving than Republicans or Independents.
- Despite economic anxieties, a majority still believe in the American Dream.
The Squeeze of Florida Living
The findings, released by the Business and Economic Polling Initiative at Florida Atlantic University, highlight a growing "affordability anxiety" shadowing Florida’s booming economy. Eric Levy, assistant director of the polling initiative, noted that while Florida continues to attract new residents, many current ones feel "squeezed enough to think about leaving."
The survey revealed that 26% of Floridians are "seriously considering" relocating, while an additional 23.6% are "somewhat considering" it. The primary driver identified is the cost of living, with housing affordability being a particularly acute issue. Eight in 10 residents are concerned about housing costs, and half are "very concerned."
Generational and Political Divides
The desire to leave the state appears to be more pronounced among younger Floridians. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, a striking 72% are considering leaving, a sentiment attributed to the difficulty of finding high-paying jobs that can support the state’s cost of living. This leads many young adults to seek opportunities in cities like Chicago, New York, and Atlanta.
Politically, Democrats in Florida are more likely than Republicans or Independents to consider leaving due to economic pressures. The survey indicated that 39% of Democrats are seriously considering a move, compared to 19% of Republicans and 24% of Independents.
Economic Outlook and the American Dream
Despite the concerns about affordability, many Floridians maintain a degree of optimism about the future and the enduring concept of the American Dream. A majority (53%) believe that hard work still leads to getting ahead and a good life. However, this optimism is tempered by financial realities, with 44% of residents living paycheck to paycheck.
More than half of respondents lack confidence in their ability to buy a home in the current market, and over 80% find it more difficult to purchase a home now than five years ago. "Floridians believe in the ‘American Dream,’ but they are paying dearly for it," stated Monica Escaleras, chair of FAU’s Department of Economics. "The Florida promise of sun, growth and upward mobility remains alive, but it is getting expensive to hold on to."
The survey, which polled 1,000 Florida adults online between September 30 and October 10, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.