The Lower Keys’ cost of living is generally not as expensive as one would expect. (Though there are most definitely communities that are quite costly in terms of housing and day-to-day needs.) The Lowers Keys, which consist of a number of islands, including Summerland Key, Big Torch and Little Torch Keys, Cudjoe Key, Sugarloaf Key, Big Coppitt Key, Stock Island, and Key West, run between the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the aquamarine waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Here, temperatures are relatively warm year-round and their scenic beauty is unmatched. So, let’s look at the cost of living in the Lower Florida Keys.
The Lower Keys’ cost of living really depends on the actual island and particular community. For example, the cost of living in Big Pine Key is approximately 32% higher than the national average, but Cudjoe Key is 47% higher. However, Big Coppitt Key is 37% more, but Stock Island, 26% higher. This clearly demonstrates the substantial difference in the cost of living.
In order to better understand the cost of living in the Lower Keys, a few more figures should shed light on the differences. For instance, the total cost of living in Big Pine is 32% higher than the national average, with food and groceries being about 10% more expensive, and housing 90%, with a median home price of $439,500.
But, Stock Island’s overall cost of living is 26% higher than the national average, with food and groceries being 15% more expensive. Although, the cost of housing is 77% higher, with a median home price of $408,100. This, compared to Cudjoe Key’s total cost of living being 47% higher than the national average, with food and groceries being 14% more expensive, and housing approximately 132% higher, with a median home price of $537,000.
Still, this isn’t the most expensive area in the Lower Keys. Unsurprisingly, Key West is the most costly place to live, with a total cost of living being 55% higher than the national average, and food and groceries costing 15% more. Key West also is among the highest cost for housing, being 174% more expensive than the national number, with a median home price of $633,700.
As these figures clearly demonstrate, the cost of living in the Lower Florida Keys varies greatly from island to island and even from community to community, as well.
