For retirees looking to stretch their fixed housing budget in Florida, these 25 towns represent the most expensive real estate markets in the state according to the Zillow Home Value Index data.
Jupiter Island tops the list with a staggering median home value of $9.8 million in 2024, while even the “most affordable” town on the list, Parkland, requires over $1 million to buy a typical home. These markets, dominated by exclusive coastal communities and private enclaves, have seen extraordinary price appreciation that puts them far beyond reach for most retirees on fixed incomes.
Many of these locations have seen their home values more than double in just five years, with some experiencing appreciation rates above 150% during the post-pandemic period.
The rapid appreciation rates suggest ongoing challenges with property taxes and insurance costs, making these markets particularly risky for retirees on fixed incomes.
Here’s the full list.
1. Parkland, Florida
This upscale suburban community represents the entry point to Florida’s most expensive markets, with median values rising from $559,096 in 2014 to $629,344 in 2019, before reaching $1,055,237 in 2024. Parkland’s property values have increased by 88.7% over the decade, showing more modest but still substantial growth compared to other luxury Florida markets.
2. Village of Palmetto Bay, Florida
This Miami-Dade community has experienced dramatic appreciation, with values climbing from $451,747 in 2014 to $550,675 in 2019, before achieving $1,069,627 in 2024. The area has seen impressive growth of 136.8% over ten years, with a notable acceleration of 94.2% just in the last five years.
3. Lake Hart, Florida
This exclusive Orlando-area enclave demonstrates strong market performance, with values starting at $439,848 in 2014, rising to $627,192 in 2019, before reaching $1,148,409 in 2024. The community has posted a remarkable 161.1% gain over the decade, while maintaining solid 83.1% growth from 2019 to 2024.
4. Miromar Lakes, Florida
This luxury waterfront community shows steady appreciation, with median values progressing from $587,702 in 2014 to $676,273 in 2019, before climbing to $1,203,303 in 2024. Property values have doubled over the decade with a 104.7% increase, while posting a strong 77.9% gain in the last five years.
5. Surfside, Florida
This beachfront town north of Miami Beach has seen substantial growth, with values rising from $537,420 in 2014 to $629,962 in 2019, before reaching $1,207,859 in 2024. Surfside’s property values have increased by 124.8% over the decade, with an impressive 91.7% surge just since 2019.
6. Sewalls Point, Florida
This peninsula community has maintained strong appreciation, with values increasing from $587,125 in 2014 to $722,185 in 2019, before achieving $1,293,634 in 2024. The market has grown by 120.3% over ten years, while posting a solid 79.1% gain since 2019.
7. Captiva, Florida
This exclusive island destination shows steady growth, with median values climbing from $772,620 in 2014 to $929,441 in 2019, before reaching $1,309,086 in 2024. While showing more modest gains compared to some Florida luxury markets, Captiva still posted a 69.4% increase over the decade.
8. Southwest Ranches, Florida
This luxury equestrian community demonstrates remarkable appreciation, with values rising from $534,023 in 2014 to $668,868 in 2019, before achieving $1,342,280 in 2024. The town has experienced a dramatic 151.4% increase over ten years, with values doubling since 2019.
9. Indian River Shores, Florida
This barrier island community shows strong market performance, with values progressing from $575,257 in 2014 to $756,567 in 2019, before reaching $1,394,834 in 2024. Property values have increased by 142.5% over the decade, with a robust 84.4% gain since 2019.
10. Ocean Ridge, Florida
This coastal town has experienced significant appreciation, with values climbing from $564,244 in 2014 to $725,254 in 2019, before achieving $1,414,925 in 2024. Ocean Ridge’s market has grown by 150.8% over ten years, while posting a strong 95.1% gain in the last five years.
11. Coral Gables, Florida
This historic Miami suburb showcases consistent growth, with values rising from $674,629 in 2014 to $772,411 in 2019, before reaching $1,497,757 in 2024. The city has experienced a 122.0% increase over the decade, with an impressive 93.9% appreciation since 2019.
12. Key Biscayne, Florida
This island paradise maintains steady appreciation, though more modest than some luxury markets, with values adjusting from $1,148,563 in 2014 to $1,044,623 in 2019, before climbing to $1,611,890 in 2024. Despite some market fluctuations, the island has seen a 40.3% increase over ten years.
13. Bal Harbour, Florida
This prestigious oceanfront village shows strong market performance, with values moving from $1,039,168 in 2014 to $1,142,123 in 2019, before reaching $1,817,222 in 2024. Property values have increased by 74.9% over the decade, with a significant 59.1% gain since 2019.
14. Sea Ranch Lakes, Florida
This exclusive enclave demonstrates remarkable growth, with values progressing from $713,051 in 2014 to $884,284 in 2019, before achieving $1,894,774 in 2024. The village has experienced an impressive 165.7% increase over ten years, with a dramatic 114.3% surge since 2019.
15. Anna Maria, Florida
This island community shows extraordinary appreciation, with values climbing from $738,934 in 2014 to $980,460 in 2019, before reaching $1,998,599 in 2024. The market has grown by 170.5% over the decade, with values more than doubling since 2019.
16. Palm Beach, Florida
This world-renowned resort town maintains strong growth, with values rising from $795,857 in 2014 to $1,047,884 in 2019, before achieving $2,075,083 in 2024. Palm Beach has experienced a dramatic 160.7% increase over ten years, with a robust 98.0% appreciation since 2019.
17. Pinecrest, Florida
This upscale Miami suburb demonstrates remarkable appreciation, with values increasing from $849,338 in 2014 to $968,591 in 2019, before reaching $2,096,839 in 2024. The village has posted a 146.9% gain over the decade, with an impressive 116.5% surge in the last five years.
18. Gulf Stream, Florida
This coastal town shows consistent growth, with values progressing from $1,091,059 in 2014 to $1,320,439 in 2019, before climbing to $2,562,158 in 2024. Property values have increased by 134.8% over ten years, while maintaining strong 94.0% growth since 2019.
19. Boca Grande, Florida
This exclusive island destination demonstrates substantial appreciation, with values rising from $1,053,587 in 2014 to $1,571,611 in 2019, before reaching $2,895,677 in 2024. The market has grown by 174.8% over the decade, with an impressive 84.2% gain since 2019.
20. Golf, Florida
This unique village shows extraordinary growth, with values climbing from $932,074 in 2014 to $1,149,244 in 2019, before achieving $2,932,089 in 2024. Golf has experienced one of the highest appreciation rates at 214.6% over ten years, with a remarkable 155.1% surge since 2019.
21. Jupiter Inlet Colony, Florida
This exclusive coastal community demonstrates exceptional appreciation, with values soaring from $1,163,718 in 2014 to $1,631,509 in 2019, before reaching $3,711,701 in 2024. The colony has posted the highest decade-long growth at 219.0%, with a dramatic 127.5% increase since 2019.
22. Manalapan, Florida
This prestigious oceanfront town maintains strong market performance, with values rising from $1,582,154 in 2014 to $1,933,351 in 2019, before climbing to $3,931,948 in 2024. Manalapan has experienced a 148.5% increase over ten years, with values more than doubling since 2019.
23. Fisher Island, Florida
This ultra-exclusive island enclave shows significant appreciation, with values adjusting from $3,429,787 in 2014 to $3,093,161 in 2019, before achieving $6,014,842 in 2024. Despite some market fluctuations, the island has posted a 75.4% gain over the decade, with a strong 94.5% surge since 2019.
24. Golden Beach, Florida
This prestigious oceanfront community demonstrates remarkable growth, with values climbing from $3,411,286 in 2014 to $3,597,176 in 2019, before reaching $7,318,552 in 2024. The town has experienced a 114.5% increase over ten years, with values more than doubling since 2019.
25. Jupiter Island, Florida
The crown jewel of Florida’s luxury real estate market, Jupiter Island tops the list with astronomical values starting at $4,268,491 in 2014, rising to $5,539,931 in 2019, before achieving an incredible $9,803,837 in 2024. This exclusive enclave has experienced a 129.7% increase over the decade, while posting a substantial 77.0% appreciation since 2019, making it one of the most expensive residential communities in the United States.
