Key West Cost of living

The cost of living index is based on the composite price of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, clothing and entertainment.
Cost of living indexes will generally be higher in areas that offer access to beaches, culture, arts and recreation. In addition areas, that offer a wider variety of services such as health and education will run higher due to higher wages, and increased quality of living. Cost of living indexing explanation
• A figure of 100 points is used as an average both for the USA and Florida. For example:
• Boise Idaho is ranked at a 99
• Boston Mass is rated at 240
• San Francisco at 217
• Orlando Fl is 107.3 and Miami is 116.2
• Statewide, Florida cities come in from a low of 90 and up.
• One way to compare Florida areas to salary requirements
For example-If you were relocating from Portland Oregon (whose rate is 120) to Orlando, and you currently make $50,000 per year, the formula is as follows
• Take the destination index, in this case Orlando-107.3 and divide by Portland’s index-120, then multiply by a salary of $50,000. This will give you a figure of $41,583, which would be required to make in Orlando and have the same quality of life.

The Keys and Monroe county top out the state at an average Cost of Living at 160 plus. (this is due to the home price escalation in the Keys). We only have so much land and the area is heavily regulated as to building permits. The result is that It's not going to get cheaper....A tropical paradise is in the same venue as any resort destination area, be it Marthas Vineyard or Sun Valley. However compared to other areas nationally and given the amenities of the Keys, it is a great place to live, work and play.
(Population Weighted-State Average=100

Stats below are 4th quarter 2005-per ACCRA
2005 Fourth quarter stats per ACCRA
• Bradenton-98.5
• Cape Coral-Ft Myers-104.3
• Ft Lauderdale-117.2
• Fort Walton-Destin-93.5
• Jacksonville metro-95.5
• Miami metro-116.2
• Orlando metro-107.3
• Palm Coast-Flagler-98.9
• Panama City-95.4
• Pensacola metro-94.3
• Sarasota-107.9
• Tampa 96.0
• St Pete-Clearwater-99.9
• West Palm Beach metro-116.6

• See national comparisons
Cost of living (100 = nationwide average)
• New York, NY       364
• Long Beach, NY    340
• Palo Alto, CA        268
• Menlo Park, CA     265
• Los Altos, CA        261
• Saratoga, CA        261
• Boston, MA          240
• Malibu, CA            233
• San Francisco,     217
• Greenwich, CT      215
• Cambridge, MA     211
• Santa Monica, CA 197
• Keystone, CO       194
• San Rafael, CA     192
• Weston, CT          192
• Darien, CT            192
• Wellesley, MA       192
• Fort Lee, NJ         189
• Arlington, VA        184
• Honolulu, HI        184
• Washington, DC   181
• Princeton, NJ        180
• Vail, CO                178
• Chicago, IL           166
• Sunnyvale, CA     164
• San Mateo, CA     163
• Marathon, FL       161
• Ridgewood, NJ      159
• Mystic, CT            159
Housing. Minimum two bedroom single family homes in Key west
• As of June 2005, the median sold price is $625,000.
• Beach front condos, from $850,000 to 2 million
• Inland homes from $500,000 up
• Inland condos start at $400,000 For Utility charges
Water
• The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority provides water for the entire Keys:
• Tavernier.....305 852-8068
• Marathon.....305 743-5409
• Lower Keys.....305 296-2454

For Electric
• The Florida Keys Electric Cooperative
• provides power for the upper Keys:
• Tavernier.....305 852-2431
• Marathon, 3421 O/S Hwy.....305 743-5344
• Key West City Electric
• provides power for the Lower Keys
• 1001 James St, Key West.....305 294-5272 Gas.
Propane is available from local dealers                       

Telephone Companies:
• Bell South
• Residential Services.....305 780-2500   
• Business Services.....305 780-2800
Florida Keys Electric Cooperative
Keys Energy
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
BellSouth
Most homes in the Keys are on septic tanks with a few exceptions-Key West-Marathon. Garbage pickup is included in your taxes