Cost of Living in Palm Coast, FL

Population 94,362 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

116
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Palm Coast cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $317,000, rents near $1,747 a month.

Palm Coast is about 60 miles southeast of Jacksonville, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 19% higher than Jacksonville's $266,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 104
Rent 133

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

About the Cost of Living in Palm Coast

The median home value in Palm Coast is $317,200 — 4% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,747/month, 33% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $71,840/year is 4% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Palm Coast has a cost of living index of 116 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$317,200
4% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$337,170
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,747/mo
33% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,900/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.1x
Favors buying
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 80.0%
Renter-occupied 19.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,747
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,361/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
29.5 min
9% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.9%
Carpooled
12.6%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
0.4%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
15.2%

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
$71,840
4% below avg
Per Capita Income
$39,634
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
20% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Labor Force Participation
51.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.1%
Graduate degree 8.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 50.8
Male median age 49.3
Female median age 52.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 35 — Good
97.3%
Good air days/yr
71
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
364
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Palm Coast, FL?

Palm Coast has a cost index of 116 (100 = national average). It is 16% above the national average.

What is average rent in Palm Coast, FL?

The median gross rent in Palm Coast is $1,747 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Palm Coast?

The median home value in Palm Coast is $317,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Palm Coast?

The median household income in Palm Coast is $71,840 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Palm Coast, FL?

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

Is Palm Coast, FL affordable?

Palm Coast is above average in cost of living, with an index of 116 — about 16% higher than the national average.