What it's like to live in Boca Raton
Boca Raton is a mid-size city in Florida with household incomes running above the national average, crime rates well below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and a highly educated workforce. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Boca Raton deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, larger class sizes than the national average, and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin.
The good
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- High student-teacher ratio
- High rent burden for renters
- Hot summers
- Above-average rainfall
How Boca Raton compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Boca Raton
Based on Boca Raton's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$5,016
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $100,320 a year
- 62% of Boca Raton renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$144,540
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $72,270
- Homes cost 6.8× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 77% above US
$2,508/mo median rent
Rent is expensive here, at $2,508 a month median and well above the national average. This is the kind of city where housing costs deserve serious budgeting before committing to a move. Home prices are steep, with a median around $722,700. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.
Median home value $722,700 · 62% of renters cost-burdened
Job marketNear US average
4.2% unemployment
Unemployment here is 4.2%, close to the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▼ 66% below US
113 violent crimes per 100k
Pretty safe, all things considered. Violent crime sits below the national average, nothing alarming, just ordinary city-life awareness.
Property crime 1285/100k · Boca Raton Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 18% below US
21 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 21.2 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 7 in 10 workers drive to work; 24% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 90°F, and winters are mild, with lows rarely dropping below 62°F. It's a wet climate overall.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 2.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▲ 72% above US
62% bachelor's degree or higher
This is a highly educated city, with over half the adult population holding a college degree. That tends to shape the job market and the broader culture, and it's a solid indicator of a strong professional scene.
Schools
14 public schools inside the boundary
There are 14 public schools inside the boundary and 19 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18:1, slightly above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Biscayne National Park (61 miles away). There are 3 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Boca Raton's strongest points are household incomes running above the national average and crime rates well below the national average; the main tradeoffs are rent well above the national average and home prices well above the national average. A year of median rent ($2,508/mo) equals 28% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit anyone prioritizing low crime, remote workers (24% of workers here already work from home), and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for renters on a tight budget.
Other places near Boca Raton
All Florida guides →Moving to Deerfield Beach →
5 mi away · pop. 88,093
Rent $1,774/mo · Income $59,730
Compare with Boca Raton →Moving to Delray Beach →
6 mi away · pop. 67,979
Rent $1,961/mo · Income $82,041
Compare with Boca Raton →Moving to Lighthouse Point →
7 mi away · pop. 10,600
Rent $1,880/mo · Income $92,135
Compare with Boca Raton →Moving to Coconut Creek →
8 mi away · pop. 58,330
Rent $2,102/mo · Income $75,014
Compare with Boca Raton →Not sure Boca Raton is the one?
Put it side by side with another city.