Want to live and work in Florida?

The cost of living in Florida varies greatly by city. Miami became one of the most expensive cities in the US after 2020, with one-bedroom apartments renting for $2,500 to $3,500/month in good neighborhoods (Brickell, Coconut Grove, Aventura). Orlando and Tampa range from $1,700 to $2,200.

Smaller and inland cities (Jacksonville, Gainesville, Ocala) are much more affordable, with rents starting around $1,300. The major advantage of Florida is no state income tax. Someone earning $100,000 here takes home several thousand dollars more per year than in states like New York or California.

Home insurance has risen sharply due to hurricanes, and can exceed $3,000/year for a house. Electricity bills are high in summer because of air conditioning. Groceries and restaurants are at the national average, but Latin and Brazilian food (in ethnic markets) tends to be cheaper than in most other states.

Tourism is Florida's largest sector. Disney and Universal Orlando together employ more than 100,000 people. Hotels, restaurants, water parks, cruises (Miami is the world's largest cruise port), and attractions make the state one of the top global tourism destinations.

Miami is a financial and business hub for Latin America. International banks, foreign trade offices, family offices, and fintechs (including several Brazilian companies) operate there. Brickell has become a financial district known as the Wall Street of the South.

Healthcare is a major sector across the state, driven by the large retiree population. Construction is growing fast due to population inflows. The aerospace sector is strong at Cape Canaveral (Kennedy Space Center) and in Tampa (defense). Jobs for immigrants exist at all levels, from hospitality to tech in Miami.

Florida has a large and developed hospital network, especially because of its elderly population. Hospitals like Cleveland Clinic Florida (Weston), Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jackson Memorial (Miami), Baptist Health (Miami), and AdventHealth (Orlando) rank among the Southeast's best.

The model is the standard American one: health insurance through employment, no universal coverage. Family premiums run $1,200 to $1,700/month, with the employer paying a portion. Retirees over 65 are covered by federal Medicare. Low-income families may qualify for Florida's Medicaid, though the state applies stricter criteria than most.

There are large numbers of Latino physicians practicing in Miami, Orlando, and Boca Raton, with consultations available in Spanish. For immigrants without insurance, community clinics (FQHCs) charge on a sliding scale. Visiting a private emergency room without coverage should be avoided: a single visit can exceed $3,000.

Florida was built for the car. Distances between cities are large (Miami to Orlando is 380 km, Orlando to Tampa is 140 km) and intercity public transit is limited. Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft work well in larger cities. Getting a Florida driver's license is straightforward for residents.

Miami has an elevated metro (Metrorail), a regional commuter rail (Tri-Rail), and buses, but the network is limited compared to New York or DC. Orlando has buses (Lynx) and a regional commuter train (SunRail). The Brightline train connects Miami to Orlando in about 3.5 hours with modern coaches, a good option for those who prefer not to drive.

The state has five major international airports: Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), Tampa (TPA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and Jacksonville (JAX). MIA is one of the largest hubs for Latin America, with direct flights to all major Latin American capitals. MCO is the most used airport for Orlando and Disney.

Florida's culture is a unique blend of American, Latin, and Caribbean influences. Miami breathes Cuban, Venezuelan, Colombian, and Brazilian rhythms. Neighborhoods like Little Havana (Cuban), Little Haiti, Doral (Venezuelan), and Aventura (Brazilian, Israeli) each have their own food, music, and festivals. Salsa, reggaeton, and samba share space with hip-hop and pop.

Orlando is the kingdom of theme parks: Walt Disney World (four main parks), Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and Legoland. The city runs on tourism, which shapes local culture. Active Brazilian immigrant neighborhoods offer food, churches, events, and Brazilian steakhouses.

In the north (Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Pensacola), the culture is more classically Southern American, with country music, college football (Gators and Seminoles), and Deep South-style food. The Florida Keys have their own bohemian vibe. Festivals like Carnaval Miami, Ultra Music, and Brazilian Independence Day celebrations draw large crowds.

Florida has around 4.5 million residents born outside the country, close to 21% of the population, making it the third most immigrant state in the United States. Cubans form the largest community, with nearly 1.3 million concentrated in Miami-Dade, with iconic neighborhoods like Little Havana, Hialeah, and Westchester, and a cultural influence felt across radio, politics, and food. Venezuelans arrived in waves over the last two decades and dominate Doral, to the point that the city is nicknamed Doralzuela. Haitians form large communities in Little Haiti, North Miami, and Miramar. Colombians, Nicaraguans, Peruvians, and Dominicans round out the south. Brazilians number over 300,000, concentrated in Pompano Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfield, Orlando, and Kissimmee. Mexicans have a strong presence in the Panhandle and the north of the state, tied to agricultural work.

Miami hosts consulates from nearly every Latin American and Caribbean country, including Brazil, Mexico, Cuba (Interests Section), Venezuela, Colombia, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Dominican Republic, Argentina, and Chile. Orlando hosts consulates of Brazil and Mexico. The Florida Immigrant Coalition links dozens of organizations across the state. Americans for Immigrant Justice, in Miami, is a leading provider of free legal aid. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami offers immigration services through several parishes. Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center serves Haitians in Little Haiti, and the Hispanic Federation covers South Florida with social services.