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Thinking of Moving to Pensacola?

Discover what living in the Panhandle is like.

If you're thinking about relocating to Pensacola and in the process of researching various cities around Florida, you're in the right place. This page has been assembled to help you gain a better understanding of Pensacola and the Emerald Coast of Florida, what the area offers residents in terms of lifestyle, amenities, employment and healthcare. We also encourage you to reach out to Natalie Carmichael, our Pensacola relocation expert as she is glad to answer any questions you may have about the area, including the Pensacola real estate market, housing and living costs.

About Pensacola, FL

Pensacola is the most northwestern city in the Florida panhandle and is only 13 miles from the Alabama state border. The waterfront city, known for its white sand beaches and rich historical past, offers year-round residents a high-quality of life with endless outdoor activities, a strong employment market and top-rated healthcare. Pensacola’s population is approximately 54,000 (total Escambia County population is 322,390 persons).

Experience Pensacola and our beautiful white-sand beaches in the below video. Make sure your volume is on.



Pensacola Awards and Accolades

Pensacola commonly receives awards and accolades each year for it Gulf beaches, top-rated healthcare and area attractions. View recent awards below.



Top 10 Reasons to Relocate to Pensacola

  1. Pensacola is a "Best Place" to Live in Florida
    Pensacola was recently ranked as the #3 "Best Place to Live in Florida" for 2024 - 2025 by U.S. News & World Report. City rankings are based upon multiple factors including happiness of local residents, the affordability of housing, employment opportunities, the city's overall desirability and net migration rates. View Rankings List.

    # City, State Average Home Price Average Age
    1 Naples, FL $585,468 66.9
    2 Sarasota, FL $450,419 49.8
    3 Pensacola, FL $262,185 39.1
    4 Tampa, FL $375,947 35.5
    5 Fort Myers, FL $354,310 40.6
      Average Home Prices as of Oct 1, 2024
  2. Pensacola Has Beautiful White Sand Beaches
    Pensacola's gulf beaches rank among the most beautiful in all of Florida and regularly receive top ratings each year by popular review sites such as Trip Advisor, Dr. Beach and USA Today. In 2024, Pensacola Beach ranks as a "Top 10" "Best Beach in Florida" by Trip Advisor. The sugar like white powder sand, which stays cool on a hot summer's day, is located along the barrier islands of Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. See the coastline view from the Pensacola's Gulf Pier.
  3. Pensacola Offers Affordable Real Estate
    The Pensacola real estate market offers some of the most attractive housing prices in all of Florida as compared to the larger, more poluated metropolitan areas of the state. At the start of October 2024, the median Pensacola home price is $262,185 and this represents a 0.6% year-over-year increase. Living gulf side or on the Intracoastal waterway will cost you more for the amazing water views. For exact housing prices and a list of current homes matching your criteria, contact Natalie Carmichael, our Pensacola relocation expert listed on this page.
  4. Florida Does Not Have a State Income Tax
    One of the biggest benefits of being a Florida resident is the lack of a state income tax. This allows you to keep more of your income. In place of the state tax, Florida earns revenues from the millions of tourists that vacation in our state each year through a 7% sales tax (state level) and a 5% tourist tax (county level) on revenues from rental properties and hotel stays that are for a term of six month or less. Once you become a Florida resident, you will be thankful for the tourists as they pay your share of the state taxes.
  5. Pensacola is a Year-Round Playground for Outdoor Activities
    With 224 sunny days each year and average temperature of 68' year-round, Pensacola is a the ideal city to enjoy outdoor activities by land, sea and air. If you enjoy playing on the water, experience stand-up paddle boarding, kayak in the Bay or go for a boat ride. By land, play a round of golf or explore our many recreational parks and nature trails. If you're feeling more adventurous, try parasailing or paragliding over the gulf.
  6. Pensacola Has Great Cuisine & Dining Options
    Downtown Pensacola area and the surrounding keys offering many great dining choices. The quaint, historic downtown area offers a full mix of cuisines from casual eateries to 5-star, fine dining restaurants. Pensacola also offers hip and trendy craft beers establishments that have live entertainment, many on a daily basis. If you preference is dining with a water view, there are lots of popular places near Pensacola Bay and Seville Harbor.
  7. Pensacola Has Top-Rated Healthcare
    When relocating to a new city, especially in your retirement years, it's important to have quality healthcare available to you for regular check-ups and emergency care. Pensacola's main hospital, West Florida Hospital, has been Named One of the Nation's 100 Top Hospitals for Three Years in a Row by Truven Health Analytics. Truven Health Analytics is a part of IBM Watson Health.
  8. Pensacola Has a Strong Employment Market
    Pensacola's job and employment market has been very strong post Covid with a current unemployment rate of 3.7%, well below the natiopnal average of 4.1% (Nov 2024). Top sectors of employment in the Pensacola area include military, tourism and hospitality, medical and healthcare services, education, retail and various professional services. The largest non-military employers in Escambia County include the local School District, Baptist Health Care Corporation and The University of West Florida.
  9. Pensacola is Rich with Historical Heritage
    Pensacola is said to be the first European settlement in the New World as the city lies claim to the nation's first settlement by Spanish sailor Don Tristan de Luna in 1559. Residents and visitors alike can view popular historical sites contained with an eight-and-a-half acre Historic Pensacola Village district located downtown Pensacola. This area includes many popular historical sites such as the Pensacola Lighthouse, Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas and Emanual Point just to name a few.
  10. Many Wildlife, Parks & Nature Trails to Explore
    The Pensacola area offers miles of natural Florida beauty and wildlife along its protected Gulf Coast, which is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. On Pensacola Beach, one popular attraction is the 8.5 mile Eco-Trail which allows you to experience the local ecology including wild birds, turtles, crabs and sea life. There are 29 stops total on the eco-trail. Each stop provides you with maps and pictures to guide you in your exploration of the winding trail.

Natalie Carmichael

Realtor®

Your Pensacola Relocation Expert

704-678-7075

Please mention Moving to Florida Guide when calling so I can track my marketing efforts. Thanks! EXP Logo - Pensacola Relocation
License # SL3357663

The Pensacola Real Estate Market

Market outlook, trends & relocation advice by Natalie Carmichael

The Pensacola real estate market continues to transition back to a more balanced one, where buyer and seller demand are more equal. As we're now in October, we continue to see where the higher interest rates are causing some heavily-financed buyers to pause or hold-off on purchasing due to the increased monthly payments. On the seller side, we continue to see more reductions in listing prices, more contributions towards closing costs, or offers to help buy down the interest rate for qualified buyers.

As for Pensacola’s new construction market, home builders are currently offering some great incentives for buyers who can close quickly within 30-45 days, such as reduced rates and credits towards closing costs.

Pensacola Housing Market Outlook

My outlook for the Pensacola real estate market for latter 2024 and early 2025 is for prices to remain relatively flat overall as our market continues to normalize. As the Fed has now cut the interest rate by a half point, and hinted at future rate cuts in the coming months, I expect to see a bump in buyer activity and we’ll likely be back to seeing more “multiple” and “above-ask” offers.

Market Trends I'm Observing

I have been observing the following market trends.
  • Fewer investors chasing properties for Airbnb rentals than was during the market peak.
  • An uptick in younger buyers purchasing their first home to escape rising rental rates.
  • More cash deals than financed deals currently taking place.


My Relocation Advice

The best advice I can provide is to talk to a lender and make sure you take the appropriate steps to get pre-approved before you relocate (i.e. get pre-approved while you’re still working and quit your job to move here). I would also mention that the longer you wait to move here, prices are likely to increase due to the strong demand for housing.


Pensacola Relocation Reviews:

Read what Natalie's past clients are saying.

  • "Natalie Carmichael is phenomenal! She is extremely efficient at her job! The whole process of finding houses, vewing them, going through the process of buying one has been as streamlined as it could be. If I ever had a question or just wanted more info, she was already on it! I can't recommend Natalie enough!"
    R. Dean
    Home Buyer
  • Read more reviews
  • "Natalie was amazing.  We were having trouble finding what we were looking for and she didn't stop until we found it. She went well above and beyond to help us out. If you’re looking for the perfect person to find your dream house, your search ends with Natalie!"
    John C.
    Home Buyer
  • "One-of-a-kind, very reliable!  Natalie got us 200% from our 1st meeting she gets EACH buyer's tastes and attitude and professionally blends in. RARE TO FIND A REALTOR AS HER!  WE definitely will use her services again! One-of-a-kind and fantastic!"
    Alma N.
    Home Buyer
  • "I personally felt that Natalie went above and beyond what I was expecting. She was prompt, always followed through and very professional. I will use her again for my next property and recommend her to other people looking for an amazing realtor!"
    JM Cohen
    Home Buyer
  • View All Pensacola Relocation Reviews
pensacola beach coastline with beachgoers and waterfront condos
downtown pensacola aerial view
Pensacola beach tower on a sunny day
boat waves along perdido key florida

Your Guide to Pensacola Real Estate, Beaches, Area Attractions & Employment

Pensacola Real Estate

Below are the top communities of Pensacola and the surrounding keys that people are moving to.

Pensacola's Downtown Disctricts

Pensacola, being a historical town, is divided into the following districts. Each district has its own unique charm.
  • Downtown Pensacola
  • East Downtown
  • Walden
  • Baymarc
  • Briggs Manor
  • Renz-anna Villa
  • Sunny Ridge
  • Regency Park
  • Brittany Forge
  • Woodland Heights
  • Kensington
  • Eastmount
  • Goulding
  • Cervello
  • La Mirage

Top Communities in Gulf Breeze

Gulf Breeze is located between the Pensacola mainland and the barrier island of Pensacola Beach.
  • Tiger Point
  • Oriole Beach

Top Communities on Pensacola Beach

  • Spanish Landing
  • Deluna Point
  • Sun Ray Village
  • Sea Shore Village

Top Communities on Perdido Key

  • Reflections
  • Paradise Isle
  • Key West
  • Dolphin Pass

Top Beaches in Pensacola

Pensacola is the home of several popular beaches in Florida, including top-rated Pensacaola Beach.

  • Pensacola Beach
  • Perdido Key Beach
  • Gulf Islands National Seachore
  • Navarre Beach

Popular Pensacola Area Attractions

  • Veterans Memorial Park & Wall South
  • Pensacola Lighthouse
  • Museum of Commerce
  • National Naval Aviation Museum
  • The Pensacola Children's Museum
  • Pensacola Maritime Heritage Trail
  • Historic Pensacola
  • Fort Pickens
  • Pensacola Museum of Art
  • Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier
  • Fort McRee
  • Museum of Industry
  • Pensacola Bay Cruises

Pensacola Area Shopping & Dining

Pensacola has one large shopping center Cordova Mall which is conveniently located west of the Pensacola Airport. Cordova Mall has over 120 speciality retail stores and many great restaurants to check out. There are also lots of popular restaurants downtown in the historic district as well as near Pensacola Bay and Seville Harbor.

  • The Fish House
  • The District
  • The Oar House
  • Jaco's Bayfront Bar & Grille

Pensacola Employers

Pensacola, Florida is home to many of the best and top companies in Escambia County, and many are headquartered locally.

Top Medical & Healthcare Employers in Pensacola

  • Baptist Health Care
  • Sacred Heart Health Systems
  • West Florida Healthcare
  • Santa Rosa Medical Center
  • Medical Center Clinic

Top Technology Employers in Pensacola

  • Global Business Solutions, Inc.
  • L-3 Communications
  • Avalex
  • AppRiver

Top Financial Services Employers in Pensacola

  • CHCS Service
  • Navy Federal Credit Union

Top Business Solution Employers in Pensacola

  • Synergy Solutions
  • Alorica
  • Regions Telemarketing

Top Manufacturing Employers in Pensacaola

  • Bell Steel Company
  • Ascend Performance Materials
  • Hitachi Cable Florida, Inc.
  • Pall Corporation
  • Jupiter Composites
  • International Paper
  • GE Wind Energy
  • West Fraser
Expand Largest Employers List

Largest Employers in Escambia County

  • US Dept of Defense
  • West Florida Healthcare
  • Escambia County School Board
  • Baptist Health Care
  • Sacred Heart Health Systems
  • Santa Rosa Medical Center
  • Gulf Power Company
  • Ascend Performance Materials
  • Alorica
  • Innisfree Hotels
  • International Paper
  • Blackwater Correctional Facility
  • Medical Center Clinic
  • CHCS Services
  • American Water
  • L-3 Communications
  • Hitachi Cable Florida, Inc.
  • Armstrong World Industries
  • MediaCom
  • GE Wind Energy

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