Best Places To Live, Work, Play In FL: 2025 Recap

Some of the best places to live in the country are towns and cities in Florida, according to a handful of national rankings released in 2025 that look at quality of life indicators.

There is no single quality that makes a town or city a great place to live. High-quality schools, hospitals and medical facilities, and a robust cultural and dining scene all matter. So do good jobs and places to play and have fun.

Publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and Fortune and the ratings and review site Niche used different methodologies to compile their lists on the best places to live. Read more about why Florida’s cities and towns were mentioned.

• These FL Towns Named Best Places To Live Nationally, U.S. News Says
• FL Ranks 6th Among The Best States: Here’s Why
• These FL Towns Named Best Places To Live Nationally, U.S. News Says
• Here's The Most Affordable Place To Retire In FL, Forbes Says
• 2 FL Suburbs Among 50 Wealthiest In America

Generally speaking, great workplaces are those where employees feel respected and valued, have growth opportunities and competitive salaries, and work–life balance is more than a slogan. Here’s where various Florida employers rank in issues that matter to their workers:

• These 10 FL Companies Ranked Among Best Places To Work
• These Are The Top 10 Employers In FL In Forbes Ranking

There are also plenty of places to play and relax in Florida, according to lists from publications, review sites and other sources.

• 6 FL Water Parks Are Among Best In America For 2025
• These 2 New FL Hotels Ranked Among World’s Best By Guests Who Stayed There
• 6 FL Amusement Parks Among 20 Best In U.S. In New Ranking
• 44 FL Bed And Breakfasts Named Among Best In America, New Ranking Says
• These FL Vacation Spots Offer Luxury On A Budget, New Ranking Says

Related: Forbes Names 20 Colleges ‘New Ivies’; Says Employers Prefer Them

Publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Money, Forbes and Fortune and the ratings and review site Niche used different methodologies to compile their lists. Read more about why Florida’s cities and towns were mentioned in these rankings:

• These FL Suburbs Among Safest In U.S. In New Ranking
• The 50 Top Places To Live In FL

Rankings also came from other sources:

• Best States To Live In 2025: FL Ranked On New Survey
• Best States To Raise A Family: Here's How FL Ranked
• Here’s How Much Money It Takes In FL To Be Middle Class

WalletHub also released a ranking that looked at how well Florida meets older Americans' needs. Read more:

• FL Ranks In Top 30 For Protection Of Older Residents: WalletHub

Good jobs, whether at one of the country’s fastest-growing startups or a mid-sized or large company, also make communities more livable. Read more:

• 23 FL Companies Ranked Among Forbes’ Best Employers

Florida also got mentions in rankings of places for a getaway or vacation. Read more:

• If You're Looking For A Summer Travel Destination, Experts Say Visit These FL Metros