Firstly why Fort-Walton-Beach, Florida?

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

• City: Fort-Walton-Beach
• State: Florida
• Population: 20,543 people
• Fort-Walton-Beach’s quick summary would be Known for its stunning beaches and the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.

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: 5,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 3,000 annually
• Net Migration: 2000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 800
• Number of Homeless people: 100

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features beautiful beaches and a military presence attracting tourists and service members

Perk #1: Fort-Walton-Beach Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 35%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 65%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly Black
• The median income is (and growing)  $60,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Fort-Walton-Beach is $52,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $-8000 in negative 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 & Fort-Walton-Beach’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 100 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $1,649
• Property Tax %: 1.01%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,000
• Rent for an average house: $1,700
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Fort Walton Beach
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Fort-Walton-Beach, Mary-Esther, Niceville, Destin, and probably could include Crestview
• Avg. Age of Homes in Fort-Walton-Beach: 45 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1%

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 & Fort-Walton-Beach’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Fort-Walton-Beach are  Tourism, Military, and Retail
• Fort-Walton-Beach Job Scene: stable job market in military and services
• The General Tech Scene: military-focused tech community with emphasis on defense contracting , ,
• Fort-Walton-Beach Resident’s pay $800 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Fort-Walton-Beach: 7%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 50 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 3

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 Fort-Walton-Beach

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $100 on average per person
• Freeway Access: U.S. Route 98 provides significant access through the area
• Commute Time: 25 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: slowdowns on Highway 85
• Transportation Score: 24 out of 100 described as Minimal Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Fort-Walton-Beach: 42,000
• Cars registered per Person: 2
• No. of Car Washes: 2 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Fort-Walton-Beach: flhsmv.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 55 of 100
• Local Airport: Northwest Florida Regional

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: Fort-Walton-Beach’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Hurricanes
• General Weather in Fort-Walton-Beach is best described as experiences mild winters with cool temperatures and hot humid summers with occasional thunderstorms
• Winter Weather in Fort-Walton-Beach i’d describe as mild and rainy
• Spring Weather in Fort-Walton-Beach can be described as warm and humid
• Summer’s in Fort-Walton-Beach are mostly hot and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Fort-Walton-Beach is usually warm and sunny
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 47 days in summer
• Days in a row in Fort-Walton-Beach below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 60 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality largely unpolluted
• Fort-Walton-Beach Winter Air generally good air quality with minimal pollution

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: Fort-Walton-Beach Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Fort-Walton-Beach 1
• While the number of trade schools inside Fort-Walton-Beachs’s city limits are 1
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Fort Walton Beach Public 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 & Fort-Walton-Beach Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Fort-Walton-Beach only Doctors is about 25
• Local Hospitals here is  2
• Full-time Fort-Walton-Beach only Police Officers is about 56
• Crime Rate Index: 20/100

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

• Fort-Walton-Beach’s Monthly utility bill average is $110
• Fort-Walton-Beach’s Monthly Gym Membership: $38
• Fort-Walton-Beach’s Water Quality Score: 79

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 Fort-Walton-Beach

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 4 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: beach town with a laid-back atmosphere and outdoor activities
• You might enjoy concerts at local venues
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Fort-Walton-Beach  offers a relaxed atmosphere with beachfront restaurants and casual bars for laid-back evenings

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 Fort-Walton-Beach

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes beachside dining and local seafood spots
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 15 scattered around Fort-Walton-Beach
• The Popular Sports Team is Ft. Walton Beach High School
• Top Level Political Climate in Fort-Walton-Beach can be described as conservative beach town with military presence
• Fort-Walton-Beach’s Longer standing religious establishment is Fort Walton Beach Church of Christ

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: Fort-Walton-Beach Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Fort-Walton-Beach has 20 Parks?
• Florida Park is Fort-Walton-Beach’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Fort Walton Beach Farmers Market normally open Wednesday 4pm-8pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Water sports, hiking, and fishing

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: Fort-Walton-Beach Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Fort-Walton-Beach can be described as relaxed coastal atmosphere with military influence
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Fort-Walton-Beach swimming at the beach fishing excursions exploring parks
• The Cities people commute to from Fort-Walton-Beach are Pensacola 51 miles away Destin 9 miles away Niceville 10 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 Fort-Walton-Beach 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: slowdowns on Highway 85. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Fort-Walton-Beach’s Hurricanes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Fort Walton Beach is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Fort-Walton-Beach are Pensacola 51 miles away Destin 9 miles away Niceville 10 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 20 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Fort-Walton-Beach has 0 days in a row below freezing and 47 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 Fort-Walton-Beach people have an average (positive or negative) $-8000 in negative cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   100 homeless people living in Fort-Walton-Beach. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general conservative beach town with military presence 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 Fort-Walton-Beach.

Retiree & Senior Life in Fort-Walton-Beach

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might qualify for tax credits aimed at reducing property taxes
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Brookdale Fort Walton Beach
• Fort Walton Beach Senior Center features social programs arts activities and wellness services

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 Fort-Walton-Beach, Florida?

If Fort-Walton-Beach, 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 Fort-Walton-Beach, Florida, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!