Firstly why Homestead, Florida?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Homestead
• State: Florida
• Population: 68,298 people
• Homestead’s quick summary would be famous for its proximity to Everglades National Park this city welcomes outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and exploration.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 2,200 annually
• While this many move-out: 834 annually
• Net Migration: 1366 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 1,110
• Number of Homeless people: 450

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features agricultural roots and proximity to Miami attracting diverse residents

Perk #1: Homestead Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 32%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 60%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly Black
• The median income is (and growing)  $61,219
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Homestead is $68,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $6781 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Homestead’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 110 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,500
• Property Tax %: 1.1%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,500
• Rent for an average house: $2,100
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Homestead
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Homestead, Florida City, Naranja, Princeton, and probably could include Goulds
• Avg. Age of Homes in Homestead: 30 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.5%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Homestead’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Homestead are  Agriculture, Tourism, and Retail
• Homestead Job Scene: limited job market primarily in agriculture and local services
• The General Tech Scene: limited tech engagement mostly through local agriculture and community services , ,
• Homestead Resident’s pay $1,500 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Homestead: 7%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 150 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 2

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Homestead

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $100 on average per person
• Freeway Access: U.S. Route 1 provides access south through Homestead
• Commute Time: 30 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: heavy traffic on US-1
• Transportation Score: 30 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Homestead: 50,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.7
• No. of Car Washes: 3 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Homestead: flhsmv.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 50 of 100
• Local Airport: Homestead General

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Homestead’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Hurricane
• General Weather in Homestead is best described as experiences warm winters with temperatures in the 70s and hot humid summers with frequent thunderstorms
• Winter Weather in Homestead i’d describe as warm with humid conditions
• Spring Weather in Homestead can be described as warm with occasional rain
• Summer’s in Homestead are mostly hot and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Homestead is usually warm with occasional showers
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 78 days in summer
• Days in a row in Homestead below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 63 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality largely maintained by local regulations
• Homestead Winter Air average air quality influenced by urban emissions

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Homestead Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Homestead 3
• While the number of trade schools inside Homesteads’s city limits are 3
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the City of Homestead Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Homestead Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 12 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Homestead only Doctors is about 150
• Local Hospitals here is  2
• Full-time Homestead only Police Officers is about 64
• Crime Rate Index: 86/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Homestead’s Monthly utility bill average is $180
• Homestead’s Monthly Gym Membership: $38
• Homestead’s Water Quality Score: 55

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Homestead

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 3 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: southernmost point of Miami-Dade with agricultural roots
• You might enjoy local theater productions
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Homestead  offers a local vibe with casual bars and restaurants catering to a friendly and close-knit community

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Homestead

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Offers a variety of local cuisines and small eateries
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 90 scattered around Homestead
• The Popular Sports Team is Local PickleBall Champs
• Top Level Political Climate in Homestead can be described as politically mixed city with agricultural and local community focus
• Homestead’s Longer standing religious establishment is Homestead Baptist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Homestead Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Homestead has 1 Parks?
• Biscayne National Park is Homestead’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Homestead Farmers Market normally open Saturday 9am-2pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Outdoor adventures, hiking, and wildlife tours

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Homestead Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Homestead can be described as sleepy town with a strong agricultural background
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Homestead visiting local farms hiking trails fishing activities
• The Cities people commute to from Homestead are Miami 38 miles away Florida-City 11 miles away Naranja 5 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Homestead or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: heavy traffic on US-1. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Homestead’s Hurricane risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Homestead is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Homestead are Miami 38 miles away Florida-City 11 miles away Naranja 5 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 86 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Homestead has 0 days in a row below freezing and 78 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Homestead people have an average (positive or negative) $6781 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   450 homeless people living in Homestead. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general politically mixed city with agricultural and local community focus could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Homestead.

Retiree & Senior Life in Homestead

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might qualify for tax credits providing financial assistance with housing
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Keystone Place
• Homestead Senior Center provides meal programs health workshops and social activities for older adults

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Homestead, Florida?

If Homestead, Florida ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Homestead, Florida, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!