One Of Florida's Prettiest Downtowns Has A Cost Of Living Over 30% Higher Than The National Average

Florida is one of the best states to retire in America, as well as the state that is ranked No. 1 for its economy and the best place to live in 2025 due to its climate, its culture, and its coastline. You don't have to be a retiree, though, to enjoy all of that in one of the most beautiful metro areas in the entire Sunshine State: St. Augustine. All you need is the ability to keep up with the high cost of living if you plan to set down roots in order to partake in all that St. Augustine, especially the downtown area, has to offer.

St. Augustine was founded in 1565 by Spain, and many streets, like the pedestrian-only St. George Street, for example, have kept the historical beauty of the region alive for centuries. The town's colonial buildings were erected with a local shell-based lime-stone called "coquina," and found primarily in the local waters. St. Augustine is bursting with life, especially during the Nights of Lights, when the town is illuminated with colorful bulbs decorating the structures. The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is also a popular attraction. The military fort made of coquina was built by the Spanish over a span of 23 years beginning in 1672, and overlooks Matanzas Bay. There is plenty to do, see, and explore in St. Augustine — just make sure you are prepared to spend more money than most if you plan to move there permanently.

When it comes to affordability, that's one thing St. Augustine is not known for. According to Best Places, the average monthly cost of living for a family totals $7,050 in expenses, adding up to $84,600 annually, which is 30.6% more expensive than the United States average as of August 2025. The Kim Devlin Team noted (via YouTube) that if you are thinking of moving to St. Augustine in 2025, the average rent in St. Johns County comes to $2,400 per month, which is 31% above the national average, and any rentals specifically in St. Augustine tend to be about $2,250 per month. Along with the average cost of owning a car in Florida, the Kim Devlin Team noted that as of 2025, gas prices average close to $2.93 a gallon, with Florida's gas tax being one of the highest in the United States at 26.5 cents per gallon, and full auto costs average 55% higher than the rest of America at $2,206 annually.

Zillow lists the average home price in St. Augustine at $440,523 as of August of 2025, which is significantly higher than the national average of $368,581, though down 3.6% from August of 2024. Overall, housing is 14% higher than the rest of America, per Payscale. While living in St. Augustine is living in paradise, make sure you can afford to meet your needs financially before making the move to live there permanently.