What it's like to live in Key West
Key West is a small city in Florida with unemployment below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, a highly educated workforce, and schools with smaller class sizes than the national average. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Key West deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, a population that has been shrinking, and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin.
The good
- Low unemployment
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- Shrinking population
- High rent burden for renters
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
How Key West compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Key West
Based on Key West's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$4,440
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $88,800 a year
- 60% of Key West renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$170,480
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $85,240
- Homes cost 9.8× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 57% above US
$2,220/mo median rent
Rent is expensive here, at $2,220 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 $852,400. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.
Median home value $852,400 · 60% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▼ 40% below US
2.6% unemployment
Unemployment here is 2.6%, well below the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▼ 20% below US
264 violent crimes per 100k
Crime runs about typical for a city this size. Some neighborhoods are safer than others, and one overall rate doesn't tell the whole story, so a neighborhood-level look matters more than the headline stat.
Property crime 1522/100k · Key West Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 43% below US
15 min average commute
Commutes run short here, averaging 14.8 minutes. That's an underrated perk of living in a smaller or well-planned city, where time isn't lost sitting in traffic. 7 in 10 workers drive to work; 12% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 89°F, and winters are mild, with lows rarely dropping below 64°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 4.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▲ 15% above US
41% bachelor's degree or higher
The population is well-educated, with 41% holding college degrees. That points to a strong professional base and generally a healthy local economy.
Schools
15 public schools inside the boundary
There are 15 public schools inside the boundary and 3 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Dry Tortugas National Park (69 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Key West's strongest points are unemployment below the national average and commutes that run shorter than most cities; the main tradeoffs are rent well above the national average and home prices well above the national average. A year of median rent ($2,220/mo) equals 31% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit job seekers, people who want short commutes, and college-educated professionals. It may be a harder fit for renters on a tight budget.
Other places near Key West
All Florida guides →Moving to Marco Island →
95 mi away · pop. 16,205
Rent $1,990/mo · Income $101,523
Compare with Key West →Moving to Florida City →
102 mi away · pop. 12,943
Rent $1,362/mo · Income $47,482
Compare with Key West →Moving to Homestead →
104 mi away · pop. 82,807
Rent $1,674/mo · Income $65,423
Compare with Key West →Not sure Key West is the one?
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