Florida sees surge in college-educated Americans

Florida has become increasingly popular with college graduates, with metros in the state seeing some of the highest net gains of college-educated Americans, according to research from HireAHelper.

Metropolitan areas such as North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, Jacksonville and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, were among the most popular destinations for college graduates looking to relocate in 2023.

North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton topped the list of attractive Florida metros, seeing a net gain of college-educated Americans of 135 percent.

Jacksonville also ranked highly, with an 81 percent net gain.

Miranda Marquit, consumer advocate for HireAHelper, suggested that a higher cost of living in other states and a growing job market in Florida could be why so many are flocking to the Sunshine State.

“Florida cities that saw an influx are also cities that have seen big gains in their job markets in recent years. Tampa, especially, is known for its increase in available jobs.” she told Newsweek.

“Florida has a lower cost of living and the cities where college-educated millennials and Gen Z-ers are moving have good job prospects.

“Add to the fact that these areas have a lower cost of living than places like California and New York, and they seem more attractive. You can get paid reasonably well and your dollar goes further.”

When it came to those places with the highest net losses of college-educated Americans, California dominated the list with three metros in the top five.

“Recently, big-tech layoffs have been in the news, so California might not be as attractive to job-seekers,” Marquit said.

The report also highlighted states that were popular among degree holders.

Washington State, South Carolina and Nevada where the first, second and third most popular states.

HireAHelper’s study suggested graduates may have been enticed by the absence of state income taxes in some of those states, such as in Washington and Nevada.

The study drew on 2023 data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey and Annual Social and Economic Supplements.

The typical prices of homes and rent in Florida are much more affordable than in many of America’s most popular cities.

Redfin puts average rent prices in Florida at $1,917 for apartments and $2,400 for housing rentals. Average house prices in the state are $392,306 according to Zillow.

Meanwhile, the average New York rent currently stands at over $4000 a month, whilst average home values in the city to be in excess of $746,000.

Rent in San Francisco was more than $3,400 a month and the average home value was $1.2 million.

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