© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap
Moving to
Key Biscayne.
The Census tops out at $3,500+ for rent; it doesn't publish exact figures above that.
What it's like to live in Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne is a small city in Florida with county unemployment below the national average, household incomes running above the national average, crime rates well below the national average, and a highly educated workforce. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Key Biscayne deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, air quality that falls short of national benchmarks, and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin.
The good
- Low unemployment in the county
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Low crime rates
- Highly educated workforce
- Average class sizes
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- Air quality concerns
- High rent burden for renters
- Hot summers
- Above-average rainfall
How Key Biscayne compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
The Census tops out at $3,500+ for rent; it doesn't publish exact figures above that.
Median home value
What it takes to move to Key Biscayne
Based on Key Biscayne's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$7,002
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $140,040 a year
- 63% of Key Biscayne renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$315,060
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $157,530
- Homes cost 8.7× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingCensus top category
$3,500+/mo median rent
Rent is expensive here, at $3,500+ 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 $1,575,300. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.
Median home value $1,575,300 · 63% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
2.7% county unemployment
Unemployment in Miami-Dade County is 2.7%, well below the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Miami-Dade County (county-wide)
Safety▼ 85% below US
56 violent crimes per 100k
Safety is genuinely one of the selling points here. Both violent and property crime run well below the national average, the kind of numbers that fade into the background after a week of living somewhere.
Property crime 776/100k · Key Biscayne Police Department · 2024 data
Getting aroundNear US average
24 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 23.7 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 6 in 10 workers drive to work; 35% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 91°F, and winters are mild, with lows rarely dropping below 65°F. It's a wet climate overall.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▲ 114% above US
77% 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
1 public school inside the boundary
There is 1 public school inside the boundary and 3 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 (14 miles away). There are 3 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Key Biscayne's strongest points are county unemployment below the national average and household incomes running above the national average; the main tradeoffs are rent well above the national average and home prices well above the national average. It tends to suit job seekers (county-wide unemployment is low), anyone prioritizing low crime, and remote workers (35% of workers here already work from home). It may be a harder fit for renters on a tight budget.
Other places near Key Biscayne
All Florida guides →Moving to Coral Gables →
5 mi away · pop. 49,802
Rent $2,373/mo · Income $134,216
Compare with Key Biscayne →Moving to South Miami →
8 mi away · pop. 12,277
Rent $1,764/mo · Income $94,507
Compare with Key Biscayne →Moving to Pinecrest →
9 mi away · pop. 18,462
Rent $1,946/mo · Income $206,417
Compare with Key Biscayne →Not sure Key Biscayne is the one?
Put it side by side with another city.