Moving to Key West Florida and the Cost of Living

Moving To Key West & The Cost Of Living In Key West

2022 Update: This Key West article was written in 2018. Costs have changed drastically since then and even more scrutiny needs to be giving when considering a move to Key West

Just about anyone who loves the Island & Beach Life has thought about moving to Key West in Florida at one point in their life. However, very few consider the cost of living before actually moving.

Assuming of course you do not already live in Key West, it can seem a bit challenging to get there. Just like any other move, you need to take into consideration your typical moving expenses, housing, and perhaps a new career. But moving to Key West is not really the tough part. Residing there with an unexpected increased of living expenses can be the real challenge.

Unlike any other town in the USA, the mention of "Key West" brings to mind a lazy carefree life.

Relaxing ocean side or bar hopping on Duval Street or visiting The Green Parrot is a daily experience for anyone that wants to live it, right? Suddenly you start to think of selling your house in Massachusetts, quitting your job, piling everything into a U Haul, and taking the trek.

Slow down there!
The reality is the streets of Key West are not lined with gold. Even though Route 1 will bring you right to the island, you are still living on an island. That means everything will start to get more expensive. Gas, food, and housing are much more that on the main land. Because Key West is 3 hours from Miami, the expense of getting goods and supplies to the island will hit your wallet a bit harder. Living in Key West is also very desirable, thus driving up the costs due to basic supply and demand economics. You need to take all of this into consideration before moving to Key West.

Here are some things top to consider before moving to Key West:

Get a job lined up. This is probably the most challenging thing to have ready. Unemployment is high and job competition is fierce. Unless you have a specialized skill that is in demand and limited, you will likely be landing a tourist related job. Food service workers and gift shop cashier positions are going to be the most common and tough to get. You may want to consider going to the island first and meeting potential employers instead of trying to get a job over the phone.

Find Housing. A 1-2 bed room cottage or apartment could easily cost $1200-$1800 a month. In many cases it will be much more. A 2-3 Bedroom home could be in the $300-500k range. That is for something that needs a LOT of TLC. Something decent and ready to move into is much closer to the $1,000,000 mark. Condo's of course will be much cheaper.

Food. You will find a few common big box grocery stores with prices a bit more than on the main land. However, your local restaurants and sub shops are operating on island time too, and have a budget to match. Expect to pay resort prices for your prepared meals and cocktails.

Gas. 87 Octane will run about 10% more than on the main land.

Family. It's a great place to visit, but Key West is not always family friendly. An excessive amount of locals and tourist are in party mode and tend to be more adult themed. Also, the low rated public schools are common and a turn off as well for parents.

So how can you justify moving to Key West on a budget? There are a few options.

Prepare. Make a trip to the mainland for visits to your local Costco or BJ's and stock up.
Get a roommate. Two roommates could be even better. Cut your rent and utility bills in half or more.
Get a bike. Driving in Key West can be a nightmare. You will find it much easier to ride a bike as the island is small enough. You will save not only time, but gas.
When you need supplies locally, avoid Duval Street. Duval Street is the main tourist area so everything will be more pricey.
Don't live in Key West. Many people that work in Key West do not live there. They will find a place to stay a few keys up and drive to work. Sure, you may not be living next to Mallory Square, but you are very close and the sunsets are still the same.

If you plan accordingly, there will be little surprises. If visiting Smathers Beach, going snorkeling, people watching, biking, boating, and kayaking (to name a few) are worth it when you are not working, then the decision is easy to make. Move to Key West and be the envy of your friends. Be smart and live the Island & Beach life that many of us want to be a part of.

Do you need some resources for moving to Key West?

Gas Prices. FloridaGasPrices.com
City of Key West Web Site. KeyWestCity.com
Jobs Monster.com Key West
Real Estate Coldwell Banker Florida Keys

Moving To Key West & The Cost Of Living In Key West Southernmost Buoy

72 comments

Joe Richards Feb 05, 2018

I’d rather be stuck once a month or even once a week on US 1 in the Keys than every day on I/4 in Central FL.
Mark D Feb 04, 2018

Wife and I did our vacation to Key West for well over 15 + years. Wanted to move there sob ad it was crazy! Bout 6 years ago, we picked up packed up and moved lived there for five years. Bought a townhouse in an HOA (First mistake) on Big Coppitt Key just north of Key West. I found work as a tour guide. My wife working retail as a store manager. Cost of living is without question high with pay rates that don’t match!. You are at the end of the line three + hours from Miami making good time. Most trips to the mainland take four + hours. Point living there is too far from the real world it’s way too remote. Most people are friendly yet the true locals hate the transplants. Most will never make friends! That’s another issue! If you don’t hang in a bar and get waisted daily ya don’t fit! I can keep going! Close it with this! You want a great vacation here ya go! Key West has a lot to offer! But that’s about it! Great place to visit NOT a great place to live!
Tim King Feb 04, 2018

Welcome back to Key West Elaine Chinnis !
gary raymond Feb 02, 2018

I love living here in key west for the diving , fishing, and friendly people. people talk about high food prices, well if you look at the flyers that winn Dixie and publix puts out they are the same as any of their stores elsewhere. places like gfs you can buy three slabs of babyback ribes under 20 bucks. so food prices at big chain stores are about the same. if your eating out most food places are high in some areas but the amount of food you get will feed two people. yes I love the weather here also tends to be alittle warm in july aug n sept. I live on open water front here and my taxes are as cheap here as anywhere else ive lived. crime here is at a minimum and I feel safe walking anywhere. yes the winters here tend to get alittle crowed. from December to march it seems. home prices and rentals tend to be alittle high here, but rent something in any popular area and they are all high not just here. I never get tired of the sunsets or looking at the water here. and the beaches in the back country are some of the best you will ever see and no crowds. my electric and water here tends to be alittle high than other places, but not bad. if you have homeowners and flood ins. now thats high. a lot of things I buy off the internet, its easier. you don’t have the shopping you do on the mainland. that doesn’t bother me in the least. all n all I love it here.
Jean Feb 01, 2018

Lived on Stock Island when my children were in grade school. Lived there about 10 years and loved every minute of it. This was back in the late 50’s till late 60’s. We owned a mobile home sales and a mobile home park. That’s where I met my husband and I regret that we sold out and moved north. I love the Keys, wish I could afford to live there now, but I do visit every chance I get