As you prepare to move to Florida and seek a desirable city to live in, we have provided you with a detailed blog post on moving to Boca Raton, the beautiful city on the Southeastern Coast of Florida.
Boca Raton Is one of the desirable beach towns on the Palm Coast region of the Florida. Founded in 1890, the city was the site of the Florida East Coast Railway, which opened the Intracoastal Waterway in 1912. In 1923, the Boca Raton Inlet Bridge was constructed, and the city was incorporated in 1925. Boca Raton is now one of the safest cities to live in Florida with the lowest property tax rates.
Known as “The City Within the Park”, Boca Raton is now renowned for reflecting the architectural influence of Addison Mizner, Mizner Park, picturesque beaches and parks, diverse cuisines focusing on seafood, three nationally ranked universities, and the Boca Raton Historical Society.
Although moving can be exciting and stressful, relocating to Boca Raton, Florida guide, is created to make the process as smooth as possible.
Quick facts before moving to Boca Raton, FL:
Where is Boca Raton, FL, Located?
Boca Raton is in Palm Beach County, Florida, about 45 miles north of Miami. It’s known for its affluent community and is the southernmost city in Palm Beach County.
Population in Boca Raton, FL
The Population of Boca Raton, Florida, was 97,422 people in 2020.
After July 1, 2022, Boca Raton’s population got increased slightly to 99,009.
Diversity in Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton has a score of 88 out of 100, showing it’s more diverse than many other U.S. cities.
- White alone: 78.8%
- Black or African American alone: 6.2%
- Asian alone: 3.1%
- Two or More Races: 8.4%
- Hispanic or Latino: 14.7%
- White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: 72.7%1
Cost of Living in Boca Raton, FL
If you are considering moving to Boca Raton, you need to get acquainted with the fact that Living in Boca Raton, Florida, can cost 28% higher than the national and state averages, with a Cost of Living Index of 128. The cost of living can vary significantly in Boca Raton based on personal lifestyle and spending habits.
- Boca Raton’s median household income is about $89,776, and the average income is $142,967. Per capita income for the past 12 months (in 2022 dollars) was $69,500.
- To live a comfortable life in Boca Raton, it’s recommended to have a minimum annual income of $104,760 for a family and $76,000 for a single person.
- The average cost of living in Boca Raton is $2,807 per month for a single person, while another source reports it to be $3,266. These figures cover expenses like rent, food, transportation, and utilities but exclude mortgage payments.
Category | Cost/Index |
Overall Cost of Living | 114.1 |
Housing | 192 |
Rent for a Two-Bedroom Unit | $2,330 per month |
Utilities | 102 |
Transportation | 103 |
Grocery | 122 |
Healthcare | 104 |
Median Home Price | $546,300 |
Median Rent | $1,837 per month |
Average Monthly Salary After Tax | $7,540 |
How Is the Housing Market in Boca Raton, FL?
The housing market in Boca Raton, Florida, is competitive, with various factors affecting prices and ownership. So it is advised to either own a new home or get yourself a Rental apartment before moving to Boca Raton.
- The average home value in Boca Raton is about $569,966, showing a 4.0% increase over the past year.
- The median sale price of a home in Boca Raton was reported as $595,727 in 2023.
- The median sale price per square foot in Boca Raton ranges from $259 to $329.
- Regarding population, 67.92% of occupied housing units in Boca Raton are owner-occupied, and 32.08% have renters.
Average rental price in Boca Raton, FL
- The average rental price in Boca Raton is around $1,827 per month.
- Studio Apartment: The average rent for a studio apartment in Boca Raton, FL, is $2,044
- 1-Bedroom Apartment: The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Boca Raton, FL, ranges between $2,078 and $3,823
- 2-Bedroom Apartment: The average price for a 2-bedroom apartment in Boca Raton, FL, is about $3,400
- 3-Bedroom Home: The average rent for a 3-bedroom home in Boca Raton, FL, is $3,850
- 4-Bedroom Home: The average rent for a 4-bedroom home in Boca Raton, FL, is $9,000
How is the job market in Boca Raton, FL?
If getting a job position after moving to Boca Raton, FL, is your concern then here is what you can expect from the job market in the city.
- Boca Raton, FL’s job market has grown by 1.4% in the past year, and future job growth is expected to be 43.8% over the next decade, surpassing the national average.
- The average salary in Boca Raton is approximately $73,000, while the average income for residents is $48,918 annually.
- As of 2023, Boca Raton’s unemployment rate is 3.00%, lower than the long-term average.
- Although the median salary in Boca Raton is not explicitly mentioned, a considered good salary is anything over $67,000.
What are the top employers in Boca Raton, FL
- Office Depot
- ADT Inc.
- Cancer Treatment Centers of America
- Tyco Integrated Security
- Unisys Corporation
- Med-Care Diabetic & Medical Supplies
- Modernizing Medicine
- Nature’s Bounty
- NCCI
What are the most common job titles in Boca Raton, FL
- Most Common Job Titles in Boca Raton, FL:
- Customer Service Representative
- Sales Associate
- Cashier
- Administrative Assistant
- Server
- Registered Nurse
- Internship
- Legal Assistant
- Sales Representative
- Medical Assistant
Highest paying jobs in Boca Raton, FL
- Vice President General Manager
- Physician
- Senior Vice President
- Orthodontist
- Chief Information Officer
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Chief Executive Officer:
How safe is living in Boca Raton, FL?
Boca Raton, Florida, has a crime rate higher than the national average but is not among the communities with the highest crime rates. If you’re moving to Boca Raton, FL, with your family, here’s what you need to know about the crime and safety scenes of the city.
- The overall crime rate in Boca Raton is 2,562 per 100,000 people, with a violent crime rate of 202.8 per 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 1,965 per 100,000 people.
- The chances of being a victim of a violent crime in Boca Raton are 1 in 489, and the chances of being a victim of a property crime are 1 in 42.
- The most common violent crimes in Boca Raton are assault, with a rate of 100.4 per 100,000 residents, and robbery, with a rate of 66 per 100,000 residents.
- The most common property crimes in Boca Raton are theft, with a rate of 1,548.5 per 100,000 residents, and burglary, with 188 per 100,000 residents.
Top Safest Neighborhoods in Boca Raton, FL
- Florida Atlantic University area
- Saturnia / Shores At Boca Raton
- Boca Chase
- Timberwalk / Indian Head
- Mission Bay
- Boca Pointe
- Blue Lakes
- Verde
- Centra
How Fast Can You Commute in Boca Raton, FL?
Boca Raton residents enjoy a shorter average commute time of about 21.8 minutes, surpassing the U.S. average of 26.4 minutes.
Boca Raton has diverse public transportation options, including:
- Bus Services: Palm Tran and Broward County Transit with specific routes connecting various areas.
- Rail Services: Tri-Rail, a regional commuter rail system, has a Yamato Road station.
- Shuttle Services: Free shuttles from Tri-Rail station and Downtowner for downtown transit.
- Other Options: Brightline, a high-speed railway, and local circulators in Palm Beach County.
- Palm Tran buses, such as “The Bolt” and Route 1, connect Boca Raton to destinations like Downtown West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens via US-1 or Congress.
- Broward County Transit’s Route 10 links Eastern Broward County to Downtown Boca Raton via US-1.
- Tri-Rail, Boca Raton’s commuter rail, operates from the Yamato Road Station, offering free shuttles to key locations.
- Shuttle options include free services from the Boca Raton Tri-Rail station to the Innovation Campus and the Downtowner for downtown transit.
- Brightline, a high-speed railway, provides complimentary shuttle services with the Boca Raton station.
- Local circulators within Palm Beach County offer additional transportation choices for residents and visitors.
How’s the weather in Boca Raton, FL?
Boca Raton, Florida, has a subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The city has two main seasons: a hot, wet season from May to October and a cooler, dry season from November to April. Besides this, the below critical stats tell the exact year-round weather and climatic conditions in the city.
- Summers in Boca Raton are hot, wet, and mostly cloudy. At the same time, winters are short, comfortable, humid, windy, and mostly clear.
- The temperature in Boca Raton usually ranges from 61°F to 89°F, with August being the hottest month and January being the coldest month.
- Boca Raton receives about 60 inches of rain yearly, higher than the US average, and doesn’t usually have snowfall.
- On average, Boca Raton enjoys 231 sunny days per year, more than the US average of 205 sunny days.
How is the Education in Boca Raton, FL?
Boca Raton, Florida, is known for its top-rated education system, including schools and universities. Peruse the following critical statistics if you are relocating to Boca Raton with your children in order to provide them with the best education in the city.
- Boca Raton schools have an average ranking of 9/10, placing them in the top 20% of Florida public schools. Boca Raton Community High School is ranked #1,144 nationally.
- Education costs in Boca Raton vary; for example, Florida Atlantic University’s undergraduate tuition is $203.29 for residents and $721.84 for non-residents per credit hour. The average tuition & fees for colleges in Boca Raton are $4,879 for in-state and $22,694 for out-of-state students.
- Boca Raton has 25 public schools, 29 private schools, and 11 post-secondary schools. The city’s average student-to-teacher ratio is 20:1, varying by school. Boca Raton Community High School has a ratio of 19:1, while Boca Raton Elementary School has a lower ratio of 13:1.
What are the best schools in Boca Raton, FL?
Best Middle Schools in Boca Raton, FL
- A.D. Henderson University School & FAU High School
- Don Estridge High Tech Middle School
- Somerset Academy Boca Middle School
- Loggers’ Run Community Middle School
- Boca Raton Community Middle School
Best Elementary Schools in Boca Raton, FL
- A.D. Henderson University School & FAU High School
- Waters Edge Elementary School
- Calusa Elementary School
- Addison Mizner School
- Sunrise Park Elementary School
Best High Schools in Boca Raton, FL
- A.D. Henderson University School & FAU High School
- Boca Raton Community High School
- Spanish River Community High School
- West Boca Raton High School
- Olympic Heights Community High School
- Saint Andrew’s School
- Saint John Paul II Academy
- Boca Raton Christian School
Best Universities and Colleges in Boca Raton, FL
- Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
- Lynn University
- Everglades University
Best things to do in Boca Raton, FL
The famous attractions and best things to do in Boca Raton are:
- Explore environmental education and sea turtle conservation at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.
- Immerse yourself in shopping, dining, and entertainment at Mizner Park, featuring a plaza and Mizner Park Amphitheater.
- Enjoy family-friendly fun at Sugar Sand Park, featuring a science playground, Children’s Science Explorium, and the Willow Theatre.
- Shop at the Town Center at Boca Raton, a mall with high-end stores and diverse dining options.
- Experience snorkeling at Red Reef Park, known for its accessible reef from the shore.
- Explore various art exhibits at the Boca Raton Museum of Art.
- Witness live theater performances and a costume museum at The Wick Theatre & Costume Museum.
- Dive into Japanese arts and culture at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.
- Have family fun at Coconut Cove Waterpark with slides and pools.
- Enjoy outdoor activities like fishing, birdwatching, biking, and volleyball at Spanish River Park.
Best Neighborhoods in Boca Raton, FL
The best areas to live in Boca Raton are
- Boca Square
- Palm Beach Farms
- Woodfield Country Club
- Boca West
- Downtown Boca Raton
- Boca Del Mar
- Boca Pointe
- Boca Raton Square
- East Boca Raton
- West Boca Raton
What are the Pros and Cons of Living in Boca Raton, FL?
Here, we allow you to weigh your possibilities of moving to Boca Raton, Florida, by considering the city’s pros and cons.
Pros | Cons |
Pristine Beaches | High Cost of Living |
Upscale Living | Traffic Congestion |
Vibrant Culture | Risk of Hurricanes |
Haven for Foodies | Lack of Robust Nightlife or Entertainment Scene |
Excellent Schools | |
Low Violent Crime Rate | |
Access to Top Education, Schools, and Universities | |
Blossoming Foodie Culture | |
Great Shopping for People of All Interests | |
Growing Job Market |
Conclusion
Boca Raton is a beautiful beach town offering endless job opportunities, great weather, state-of-the-art education and lot of outdoor adventures. Although you can face higher living costs, hurricanes, traffic congestions, and alligators, the city is far more safe to resin in than any other Florida city. If you think Boca Raton is right for you, read how to become a Florida resident to know after how many days you can apply for residential status and stay safely in any Florida city.