Commute
A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Ratings
Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Fort Walton Beach, Florida is a moderately-sized city with a population of 22,726 people. With a population density of 3,017 people per square mile, Fort Walton Beach is well above the nation's average density level. The majority of Fort Walton Beach residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Fort Walton Beach will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 21 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Are you trying to ascertain if living in Fort Walton Beach is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before relocating to any new city in Florida, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like cost of living, commute, health & safety, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Fort Walton Beach and in the areas around Fort Walton Beach is a much easier task.
The livability score in Fort Walton Beach is 80/100 and the city is ranked in the 94th percentile of all cities across America. This is a phenomenal score, as Fort Walton Beach ranks well in multiple categories! Another exciting tidbit, is that Fort Walton Beach ranks better than 90% of all US cities! Based on the rankings for each individual category, Fort Walton Beach has been rewarded with high marks for crime (B-), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Fort Walton Beach does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Fort Walton Beach excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Fort Walton Beach real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Fort Walton Beach. Median real estate prices in Fort Walton Beach come in at $370,231, which is 23.6% higher than the Florida average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Fort Walton Beach, the home price to income ratio is 4.6, which is 9.5% higher than the Florida average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Fort Walton Beach | Florida | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.6% | 79.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.1% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.1% | 2.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 2.2% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.7% | 1.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.9% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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