Cost of Living in Laguna Beach, FL

Population 4,367 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

113
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

With a median age of 57, Laguna Beach functions largely as a retirement market. Housing costs — $391,000 for a typical home — anchor most household budgets, and the state's treatment of pension income tends to matter more than wage-driven tax comparisons.

Located 100 miles west of Tallahassee, Laguna Beach is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 42% higher than Tallahassee's $276,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 128
Rent 91

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Laguna Beach

The median home value in Laguna Beach is $391,100 — 28% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,196/month, 9% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $75,194/year is 1% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.4%, below the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Laguna Beach has a cost of living index of 113 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$391,100
28% above avg
Median Rent
$1,196/mo
9% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.3x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,085
1 BR
$1,181
2 BR
$1,427
3 BR
$1,797
4 BR
$2,099
Owner-occupied 72.0%
Renter-occupied 28.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,196
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,810/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
19.8 min
27% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.1%
Carpooled
3.7%
Walked
1.5%
Bicycle
1.6%
Work from home
16.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 1.1%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$75,194
1% above avg
Per Capita Income
$62,893
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
29% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Labor Force Participation
60.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.1%
Graduate degree 13.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 56.8
Male median age 57.2
Female median age 56.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
48.2%
Good air days/yr
95
Max AQI recorded
292
PM2.5 days
73
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Laguna Beach, FL?

Laguna Beach has a cost index of 113 (100 = national average). It is 13% above the national average.

What is average rent in Laguna Beach, FL?

The median gross rent in Laguna Beach is $1,196 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Laguna Beach?

The median home value in Laguna Beach is $391,100 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Laguna Beach?

The median household income in Laguna Beach is $75,194 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Laguna Beach, FL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Laguna Beach is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.

Is Laguna Beach, FL affordable?

Laguna Beach is above average in cost of living, with an index of 113 — about 13% higher than the national average.