Best Cities for Data Scientists in Florida
Ranked by affordability — cost of living, rent, and net income on a $100,000 salary
Florida has 15 metro areas with full cost-of-living data. For data scientists earning around $100,000 annually, Sebring stands out as the most affordable option with a cost-of-living index of 66.6 and $70,907 left after taxes and rent. 8 cities in Florida sit below the national average cost of living, giving data scientists more purchasing power per dollar earned. Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville is the priciest metro at 119.0 on the index, 52 points above Sebring.
City Rankings by Affordability
Full Comparison Table
| # | City | COL Index | 2BR Rent/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sebring | 66.6 | $1,271 |
| 2 | Wildwood-The Villages | 80.2 | $1,328 |
| 3 | Tallahassee | 82.9 | $1,352 |
| 4 | Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | 84.7 | $1,471 |
| 5 | Homosassa Springs | 85.6 | $1,225 |
| 6 | Ocala | 86.2 | $1,373 |
| 7 | Gainesville | 92.6 | $1,493 |
| 8 | Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor | 93.4 | $1,604 |
| 9 | Lakeland-Winter Haven | 96.0 | $1,497 |
| 10 | Panama City | 96.7 | $1,682 |
| 11 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | 99.2 | $1,785 |
| 12 | Punta Gorda | 102.0 | $1,470 |
| 13 | Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | 104.1 | $1,700 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | 108.1 | $1,658 |
| 15 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | 119.0 | $1,709 |
Net income = $100,000 salary − federal & Florida state taxes − annual 2BR rent. COL index: national avg = 100.
How We Rank Cities
Cities are ranked by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, where 100 equals the national average. A lower score means your money goes further. Net income is calculated using a benchmark $100,000 salary for data scientists who analyze data and build predictive models, after applying 2026 federal and Florida state income tax brackets and subtracting HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment. Purchasing power adjusts net income for local price levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable city in Florida for data scientists?
Sebring is the most affordable city in Florida for data scientists, with a cost-of-living index of 66.6 (national average = 100). On a $100,000 salary, you'd have approximately $70,907 after taxes and rent for a 2-bedroom apartment.
How much do data scientists earn in Florida?
Data Scientists in Florida earn around $100,000 per year on average. After federal and state taxes, and typical 2-bedroom rent costs (averaging $18,096 per year across the state), take-home spending money varies significantly by city—making location a critical factor.
How does cost of living vary across Florida cities?
Across 15 metro areas in Florida, the average cost-of-living index is 93 (national average = 100). The most affordable metro is Sebring at 66.6, while Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville is the most expensive at 119.0—a difference of 52 index points.
Other Rankings in Florida
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