Retire on Florida's Historic Coast
Compare Historic Coast towns from Ponte Vedra Beach and St. Augustine to Palm Coast and Palatka on taxes, health care, housing and storm risk.
We compare 23 towns on Florida's Historic Coast with U.S. Census data, the nearest general hospital with an emergency department from Medicare's official hospital list and official state tax rules. The highest share of residents 65 and older is in Welaka (38%) and San Mateo (37.2%). Florida has no state income tax, so Social Security, pensions and IRA withdrawals are not taxed by the state.
Compare towns on Florida's Historic Coast
Tick up to three towns to see them side by side. Tap a column to sort. The hospital column is the average driving time, without traffic, from where the town's residents live (2020 Census blocks) to the closest general hospital with an emergency department on Medicare's hospital list. The airport column is the closest airport with airline service.
| Town | Population | Median age | 65 and older | Median home value | Median rent | Income, 65+ households | Nearest ER hospital | Closest airport | Retail pharmacies within 5 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Coast | 98,258 | 50.4 | 29.5% | $350,800 | $1,782 | $61,697 | 10 min | 46 min | 18 |
| St. Johns | 75,016 | 39.1 | 11.2% | $533,400 | $2,257 | $87,124 | 20 min | 55 min | 2 |
| Fruit Cove | 35,877 | 41.3 | 13.9% | $484,000 | $2,336 | $91,297 | 21 min | 56 min | 2 |
| Ponte Vedra & Nocatee | 29,784 | 41.7 | 21.8% | $642,500 | $3,501 | $94,988 | 27 min | 53 min | 5 |
| Ponte Vedra Beach | 29,289 | 53.1 | 29.6% | $792,600 | $1,925 | $99,276 | 15 min | 52 min | 6 |
| Nocatee | 27,442 | 40.8 | 21% | $648,800 | $3,501 | $99,136 | 28 min | 54 min | 5 |
| World Golf Village | 26,077 | 42.9 | 19.8% | $477,000 | $2,299 | $74,384 | 28 min | 63 min | No data |
| St. Augustine | 15,351 | 49.9 | 27.4% | $439,800 | $1,653 | $58,406 | 9 min | 71 min | No data |
| Palatka | 10,650 | 35.3 | 18.6% | $150,500 | $901 | $26,261 | 6 min | 84 min | 14 |
| St. Augustine Beach | 6,860 | 55.7 | 29.9% | $634,400 | $1,807 | $90,000 | 10 min | 73 min | No data |
| Flagler Beach | 5,373 | 59.3 | 34.2% | $557,600 | $1,462 | $74,821 | 11 min | 42 min | 4 |
| Bunnell | 3,682 | 49.0 | 30.9% | $286,400 | $1,235 | $44,900 | 11 min | 42 min | 9 |
| Vilano Beach | 2,188 | 56.2 | 33% | $648,900 | $2,543 | $113,393 | 16 min | 75 min | 0 |
| Crescent City | 1,944 | 35.2 | 22.9% | $192,600 | $789 | 45 min | 69 min | 2 | |
| Interlachen | 1,923 | 37.9 | 18.1% | $152,500 | $802 | $34,651 | 22 min | 109 min | 5 |
| East Palatka | 1,494 | 39.8 | 31.9% | $246,600 | $1,101 | 15 min | 76 min | 10 | |
| San Mateo | 1,191 | 57.3 | 37.2% | $170,800 | $36,726 | 21 min | 71 min | 4 | |
| Welaka | 1,082 | 53.5 | 38% | $283,100 | $1,050 | $61,250 | 41 min | 92 min | 0 |
| Crescent Beach | 809 | 62.2 | 39.1% | $664,600 | $2,350 | $176,125 | 18 min | 63 min | 0 |
| Pomona Park | 755 | 40.8 | 22% | $159,600 | $917 | $42,798 | 37 min | 80 min | 1 |
| Beverly Beach | 607 | 64.4 | 47.8% | $345,100 | $825 | $47,109 | 12 min | 45 min | 9 |
| Hastings | 432 | 21.9 | 23.1% | $108,800 | 25 min | 73 min | 1 | ||
| Marineland | 13 | 21.3 | 0% | 18 min | 55 min | 0 |
Taxes for retirees
Florida
No state income tax
- Florida has no individual income tax, so Social Security, pensions, IRA withdrawals and military retirement pay are not taxed by the state.
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) distributions are not taxed by the state.
- Homeowners can claim a homestead exemption. Some counties and cities add an extra exemption for residents 65 and older with household income under a limit set each year ($38,686 for 2026).
- Veterans with an honorable discharge and a VA disability rating of 10% or more, from wartime service or from misfortune, get $5,000 off assessed value (an unremarried surviving spouse qualifies too); totally and permanently disabled veterans with a service-connected disability can get a full homestead exemption.
The real costs, honestly
Insurance and storms come first. Homeowners and flood insurance can cost more here than the property tax, and a standard policy does not cover flooding. Get quotes before you make an offer, check the flood zone and learn your evacuation zone.
FEMA flood maps · FloodSmart (National Flood Insurance Program) · Ready.gov: hurricanes
| County | Hurricane | Coastal flooding | Heat wave | Tornado |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Johns County | Relatively High | Relatively High | Relatively Moderate | Relatively Moderate |
| Flagler County | Relatively High | Relatively Moderate | Relatively Low | Relatively Moderate |
| Putnam County | Relatively High | Relatively Low | Relatively Low | Relatively Moderate |
What it costs to live here
Homeowners paid a median $1,249 a year in property tax in Putnam County and $3,721 in St. Johns County (U.S. Census, 2020-2024).
| County | Property tax paid a year | Owner costs a month, with mortgage | Owner costs a month, no mortgage | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Johns County | $3,721 | $2,351 | $728 | $1,922 |
| Flagler County | $2,789 | $1,736 | $630 | $1,722 |
| Putnam County | $1,249 | $1,306 | $352 | $906 |
Florida property tax: what changes when you buy
- Buying resets the taxable value. The seller's homestead savings end on Jan. 1 after you buy, so your first bill can be much lower than the ones that follow. Budget for the full bill, not the seller's.
- File for the homestead exemption with your county property appraiser by March 1 (form DR-501). It takes up to $50,000 off the taxable value: the first $25,000 applies to all property taxes and the second $25,000 (on value between $50,000 and $75,000) to non-school taxes.
- After that, Save Our Homes limits how much the assessed value of your homestead can rise each year: 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. The cap for 2026 is 2.7%.
- Moving from another Florida homestead? You may be able to carry part of your Save Our Homes savings to the new home (portability). Ask the property appraiser before you sell.
Buying a condo on the water: the rules since Surfside
Condo buildings three or more stories tall need a milestone structural inspection at 30 years (25 if the local building office requires it) and every 10 years after that. If the first phase finds serious deterioration, a second phase follows and repairs must start within 365 days of the report.
Associations with buildings three or more stories tall must have a structural integrity reserve study (SIRS) at least every 10 years. It covers the roof, structure, fireproofing, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing and painting, windows and exterior doors.
From budgets adopted in 2025, owners can no longer vote to waive or cut the reserves the study calls for. Many buildings raised monthly dues or approved special assessments to fund them.
Before you make an offer, ask the seller or the association for:
- The latest milestone inspection summary and any repair plan
- The structural integrity reserve study and how fully the reserves are funded
- Any special assessment approved or under discussion, and the current monthly dues
- The master insurance policy and what it covers
Airports for family visits
Weather month by month: visit in summer before you buy
July averages a high of 90°F and a low of 74°F with about 8 days of rain; January averages 66°F and 47°F (NOAA, St Augustine Wtp station, 1996-2025).
Many people fall in love with this coast in winter and are surprised by the summer: heat and humidity from June to September, afternoon storms and hurricane season from June 1 to Nov. 30. Spend a week here in July or August before you decide.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high | 66°F | 69°F | 74°F | 80°F | 85°F | 88°F | 90°F | 90°F | 87°F | 81°F | 75°F | 69°F |
| Average low | 47°F | 50°F | 55°F | 60°F | 68°F | 72°F | 74°F | 75°F | 73°F | 66°F | 58°F | 51°F |
| Days with rain | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 5 |
Hospitals on Florida's Historic Coast and nearby
General hospitals on Medicare's official hospital list, with or without an emergency department, and their Medicare overall star rating (1 to 5). Psychiatric hospitals, rehab and addiction centers, hospices and freestanding emergency rooms are not included.
| Hospital | City | Type | Emergency dept. | Medicare rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascension St Vincent's Clay County | Middleburg | General | Yes | ★★★☆☆ 3 of 5 details |
| HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital | Orange Park | General | Yes | ★★★☆☆ 3 of 5 details |
| Baptist Medical Center Beaches | Jacksonville Beach | General | Yes | ★★★★☆ 4 of 5 details |
| Ascension St Vincent's Riverside | Jacksonville | General | Yes | ★★★☆☆ 3 of 5 details |
| Ascension St Vincent's Southside | Jacksonville | General | Yes | ★★★★☆ 4 of 5 details |
| Baptist Health Medical Center -Jacksonville | Jacksonville | General | Yes | ★★★★☆ 4 of 5 details |
| HCA Florida Memorial Hospital | Jacksonville | General | Yes | ★★☆☆☆ 2 of 5 details |
| Mayo Clinic | Jacksonville | General | Yes | ★★★★★ 5 of 5 details |
| Shands Jacksonville | Jacksonville | General | Yes | ★★★★☆ 4 of 5 details |
| Adventhealth Palm Coast | Palm Coast | General | Yes | ★★★★★ 5 of 5 details |
| Adventhealth Palm Coast Parkway | Palm Coast | General | Yes | ★★★★☆ 4 of 5 details |
| HCA Florida Putnam Hospital | Palatka | General | Yes | ★★☆☆☆ 2 of 5 details |
| Flagler Hospital | Saint Augustine | General | Yes | ★★★☆☆ 3 of 5 details |
| Ascension St Vincent's St Johns County | St. Johns | General | Yes | ★★★★☆ 4 of 5 details |
| Adventhealth Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach | General | Yes | ★★★★★ 5 of 5 details |
| Halifax Health Medical Center | Daytona Beach | General | Yes | ★★☆☆☆ 2 of 5 details |
| Adventhealth Deland | Deland | General | Yes | ★★★★☆ 4 of 5 details |
| Halifax Health /uf Health Medical Center of Delton | Deltona | General | Yes | Not rated details |
| Adventhealth New Smyrna Beach | New Smyrna Beach | General | Yes | ★★★★☆ 4 of 5 details |
| Adventhealth Fish Memorial | Orange City | General | Yes | ★★★★★ 5 of 5 details |
Military and VA hospitals only treat people with that coverage. Nh Jacksonville: service members, military retirees and families with TRICARE.
An active retirement on Florida's Historic Coast
Your moving checklist
- Driver's license and car registration with Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- Register to vote at Register to vote in Florida
- Medicare plans change by ZIP code: compare them at Medicare.gov, or get free one-on-one help from your state's SHIP counselors
- Find a new doctor before you move: many practices have waiting lists for new patients
- Senior centers, meals, rides and help at home: find your local Area Agency on Aging through the Eldercare Locator (U.S. Administration for Community Living)
- Register with your county's special needs shelter program if you or someone at home depends on power for medical equipment
- Save your county emergency management page and sign up for its alerts
Already retired here?
Help the next family decide. An editor reviews every answer and we publish them as "Reader reports", apart from the official data, never with your name or address.
- Why we moved here: what you love, what surprised you and what you would tell a friend.
- Your specialists: where you go for heart, stroke, cancer or kidney care, and how far you drive.
- Your 55+ community: what living there is like, the fees and what you would check before buying.
- Ask a local: send a question and we will answer it on this page or in a story.
- Add a club or class: free listing in our events calendar.
Questions people ask about retiring on Florida's Historic Coast
Does Florida tax retirement income?
No state income tax. Florida has no individual income tax, so Social Security, pensions, IRA withdrawals and military retirement pay are not taxed by the state. Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) distributions are not taxed by the state.
Which towns are closest to a hospital on Florida's Historic Coast?
Palatka (about 6 minutes to HCA Florida Putnam Hospital), St. Augustine (about 9 minutes to Flagler Hospital), Palm Coast (about 10 minutes to Adventhealth Palm Coast Parkway). That is the average driving time without traffic from where the town's residents live to the closest general hospital with an emergency department on Medicare's hospital list. Rush hour and summer traffic add time.
How high is the hurricane risk on Florida's Historic Coast?
FEMA National Risk Index rating by county. St. Johns County: Relatively High; Flagler County: Relatively High; Putnam County: Relatively High. Ask for an insurance quote before you buy a home.
How much are property taxes on Florida's Historic Coast?
Homeowners paid a median $1,249 a year in property tax in Putnam County and $3,721 in St. Johns County (U.S. Census, 2020-2024). In Florida, buying resets the taxable value on Jan. 1 after the sale, and the homestead exemption takes up to $50,000 off the taxable value if you file by March 1.
What should I check before buying a condo on Florida's Historic Coast?
Since the Surfside collapse, Florida condo buildings three or more stories tall need a milestone structural inspection at 30 years and every 10 years after, and a structural integrity reserve study at least every 10 years. Owners can no longer waive those reserves, so ask for both reports, the reserve balance and any special assessment before you make an offer.
What is the weather like year-round on Florida's Historic Coast?
July averages a high of 90°F and a low of 74°F with about 8 days of rain; January averages 66°F and 47°F. Data: NOAA, St Augustine Wtp station, 1996-2025.