Firstly why Sunrise, Florida?
I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:
- City: Sunrise
- State: Florida
- Population: 94,912 people
- Sunrise’s quick summary would be home to the popular Sawgrass Mills shopping mall and beautiful parks this vibrant city offers endless shopping and recreation options.
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: 1,900 annually
- While this many move-out: 1,345 annually
- Net Migration: 555 more people in (net) annual change
- Non-Citizen Move-in: 920
- Number of Homeless people: 45
You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers family-friendly amenities and proximity to Fort Lauderdale attracting families
Perk #1: Sunrise Demographic Mix & Lifestyle
- The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 31%
- Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 64%
- Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
- The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly Hispanic
- The median income is (and growing) $67,536
- Income Required to Live Comfortably in Sunrise is $82,000
- Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $14464 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 & Sunrise’s Cost of Living
- Cost of Living Index: 131 (100 is the US average)
- Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,000
- Property Tax %: 1.67%
- Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $2,200
- Rent for an average house: $2,400
- Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Sunrise
- Top 5 Growing Areas: Sunrise, Nob Hill, Welleby, Sunrise Lakes, and probably could include City Center
- Avg. Age of Homes in Sunrise: 36 years
- The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.7%
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 & Sunrise’s Economy
- 3 Industries gaining traction in Sunrise are Retail, Healthcare, and Education
- Sunrise Job Scene: moderate job market in retail and healthcare
- The General Tech Scene: developing tech landscape focused on retail technology and local businesses , ,
- Sunrise Resident’s pay $1,700 in City Tax alone!
- Local Sales Tax in Sunrise: 7%
- No. of Independent Businesses: 240 (excluding chains and corporates)
- Number of Local Branch Banks: 8
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 Sunrise
- Monthly Transportation Costs: $106 on average per person
- Freeway Access: I-595 connects Sunrise to Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton
- Commute Time: 31 minutes (public & private)
- Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic slowing on Sunrise Boulevard
- Transportation Score: 63 out of 100 described as Good Transit
- No. of Vehicles Registered in Sunrise: 80,000
- Cars registered per Person: 0.8
- No. of Car Washes: 4 in and around the city
- DMV Website for Sunrise: flhsmv.gov
- The Bike-Friendly Score: 52 of 100
- Local Airport: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International
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: Sunrise’s Weather & Natural Factors
- The Most Common Natural Disaster is Flood
- General Weather in Sunrise is best described as has warm winters with temperatures in the 70s and hot humid summers with frequent thunderstorms
- Winter Weather in Sunrise i’d describe as warm with some rain
- Spring Weather in Sunrise can be described as warm with high humidity
- Summer’s in Sunrise are mostly hot and humid
- Fall ( the nicest time) in Sunrise is usually warm with occasional rain
- How many days in a row over 90°F: 62 days in summer
- Days in a row in Sunrise below Freezing: 0
- Average Annual Rainfall: 61 inches
- Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality though urban development does affect it
- Sunrise Winter Air generally good air quality with limited pollution risks
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: Sunrise Education & Schools
- The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
- Number of Colleges and Universities in Sunrise 3
- While the number of trade schools inside Sunrises’s city limits are 2
- Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Sunrise Dan Pearl Branch 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 & Sunrise Stats
- Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
- Registered Full-Time Sunrise only Doctors is about 130
- Local Hospitals here is 4
- Full-time Sunrise only Police Officers is about 123
- Crime Rate Index: 28/100
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
- Sunrise’s Monthly utility bill average is $160
- Sunrise’s Monthly Gym Membership: $42
- Sunrise’s Water Quality Score: 83
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 Sunrise
- Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 4 annually
- The General Local City Vibe: suburban area with a focus on community and outdoor activities
- You might enjoy live concerts at the Sunrise Civic Center
- Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Sunrise has a friendly nightlife with local pubs restaurants and varying community events appealing to families
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 Sunrise
- The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes chain restaurants and a range of local favorites
- The Number of Independent Restaurants are 110 scattered around Sunrise
- The Popular Sports Team is Local PickleBall Champs
- Top Level Political Climate in Sunrise can be described as politically mixed suburb with emphasis on family and educational values
- Sunrise’s Longer standing religious establishment is Sunrise United Methodist 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: Sunrise Parks & Green Spaces
- Did you know Sunrise has 6 Parks?
- Sawgrass Sanctuary is Sunrise’s Green Space Center
- The local favorite Farmers Market is Sunrise Farmers Market normally open Sunday 9am-1pm
- Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, picnicking, and parks
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: Sunrise Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity
- The Pace of Life in Sunrise can be described as moderate suburban lifestyle with a focus on retail and dining
- 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Sunrise hiking local trails attending community events sports activities
- The Cities people commute to from Sunrise are Ft-Lauderdale 10 miles away Plantation 5 miles away Davie 12 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 Sunrise 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.
- Traffic/Commute Issues
Maybe you read: traffic slowing on Sunrise Boulevard. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts. - Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
Sunrise’s Flood risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up. - Pricey Neighborhoods
If Sunrise is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Sunrise are Ft-Lauderdale 10 miles away Plantation 5 miles away Davie 12 miles away. - Crime Rate Concerns
With a 28 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this. - Harsh Climate Contrasts
Sunrise has 0 days in a row below freezing and 62 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it. - Limited Extra Funds
After general costs of living here in Sunrise people have an average (positive or negative) $14464 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here. - Homelessness or Social Challenges
45 homeless people living in Sunrise. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions. - Cultural/Political Mismatch
The general politically mixed suburb with emphasis on family and educational values 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 Sunrise.
Retiree & Senior Life in Sunrise
- Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can access property tax relief programs catering to their financial needs
- The most established Senior Citizen Community is Brookdale Sunrise
- Sunrise Senior Center hosts health workshops arts activities and social events for older residents
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 Sunrise, Florida?
If Sunrise, 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 Sunrise, Florida, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!