AARP offers savings & planning resources for all—members also get a course on maximizing retirement income.

Content starts here

AARP’s Livability Index: FL’s Top “Large” Communities of 2026

AARP

Published October 07, 2026

Return to "2026's Most Livable Communities in Florida" Homepage

Floridians of all ages deserve to thrive in their communities. This is why AARP developed the AARP Livability Index™ platform, an online tool that helps you understand your community’s assets and challenges, thus encouraging change that will enhance your quality of life.

Through research and data from 50 independent sources and AARP’s Domains of Livability, the Livability Index tool compares and ranks communities across the nation to highlight how well a community serves its current population. The goal? To encourage change – to create a truly livable community that will serve your needs regardless of age or ability.

More Ways to Benefit

View All

Related Benefit 1
Related Benefit 2
Related Benefit 3
Related Benefit 4
Related Benefit 5

According to the AARP AARP Livability Index™ platform, a “large” community has a population of 100,000 – 499,999 residents. Take a look at Florida’s top performing “large” communities (cities, counties, towns, etc.) that prioritize meeting the current and future needs of all residents:

1. Miami
AARP Age-Friendly Network Member
Community Challenge Grant Winner (3 Organizations)
Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Housing, Health, Neighborhood, and Transportation

{
      "componentId": "locationMap-8965209ab4",
      "mapStyle": "standard",
      "mapId": "",
      "mapHeight": "500px",
      "defaultZoom": 4,
      "minZoom": 3,
      "maxZoom": 22,
      "centerLatitude": 0,
      "centerLongitude": 0,
      "gestureHandling": "auto",
      "zoomControl": true,
      "mapTypeControl": true,
      "streetViewControl": false,
      "fullscreenControl": true,
      "hideShowHideMapButton": false,
      "enableClustering": false,
      "enableDirections": true,
      "autoFitBounds": true,
      "directionsUrlTemplate": "https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/dir\/?api=1\x26destination={lat},{lng}",
      "customMarkerIcon": "",
      "clusterIcon": "",
      "ariaLabel": "Interactive map showing locations",
      "keyboardInstructions": "Use arrow keys to pan the map. Use + and \u002D keys to zoom in and out. Press Enter to select a marker.",
      "enableKeyboardNav": true,
      "showFallback": true,
      "locations": [
        
          {
            "id": "0",
            "name": "Miami",
            "address": "3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, FL 33133",
            "coordinates": {
              "lat": 25.7277,
              "lng": -80.2338
            },
            "description": "Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Housing, Health, Neighborhood, and Transportation",
            "phone": "(305) 416\u002D1100",
            "website": "https:\/\/www.miami.gov\/Home",
            "locationSpecificMarkerIcon": ""
          },
        
          {
            "id": "1",
            "name": "Saraosta County",
            "address": "1660 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34236",
            "coordinates": {
              "lat": 27.33431,
              "lng": -82.537132
            },
            "description": "Notable Cities: Sarasota, Siesta Key, Venice \r\n\r\nAbove Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Environment, Health, Neighborhood, and Transportation ",
            "phone": "941\u002D861\u002D5000",
            "website": "https:\/\/www.scgov.net\/government\/planning\u002Dand\u002Ddevelopment\u002Dservices\/pds\u002Dcontacts",
            "locationSpecificMarkerIcon": ""
          },
        
          {
            "id": "2",
            "name": "Gainesville",
            "address": "200 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601",
            "coordinates": {
              "lat": 29.6527,
              "lng": -82.324
            },
            "description": "Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Environment, Housing, Health,  Neighborhood, and Transportation ",
            "phone": "(352) 334\u002D5000",
            "website": "https:\/\/www.gainesvillefl.gov\/Contact\u002Dthe\u002DCity",
            "locationSpecificMarkerIcon": ""
          },
        
          {
            "id": "3",
            "name": "St. Petersburg",
            "address": "175 5th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701",
            "coordinates": {
              "lat": 27.7719,
              "lng": -82.6391
            },
            "description": "Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Environment, Housing, Health, Neighborhood, and Transportation",
            "phone": " (727) 893\u002D7111",
            "website": "https:\/\/www.stpete.org\/",
            "locationSpecificMarkerIcon": ""
          },
        
          {
            "id": "4",
            "name": "Clearwater",
            "address": "200 S. Myrtle Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756",
            "coordinates": {
              "lat": 27.9641,
              "lng": -82.7963
            },
            "description": "Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Housing, Health, Neighborhood, and Transportation",
            "phone": "(727) 562\u002D4600",
            "website": "https:\/\/www.myclearwater.com\/My\u002DGovernment\/Contact\u002DUs",
            "locationSpecificMarkerIcon": ""
          },
        
          {
            "id": "5",
            "name": "Seminole County",
            "address": "1101 E 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771",
            "coordinates": {
              "lat": 28.8079,
              "lng": -81.2612
            },
            "description": "Notable Cities: Altamonte Springs, Sanford, Winter Springs \r\n\r\nAbove Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Health, Neighborhood, Opportunity, and Transportation ",
            "phone": "(407)\u002D665\u002D0000",
            "website": "http:\/\/www.seminolecountyfl.gov\/",
            "locationSpecificMarkerIcon": ""
          },
        
          {
            "id": "6",
            "name": "Tallahassee",
            "address": " 300 S. Adams St., Tallahassee, FL 32301",
            "coordinates": {
              "lat": null,
              "lng": null
            },
            "description": "Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Environment, Housing, Neighborhood, and Transportation",
            "phone": "850\u002D891\u002D0000",
            "website": "https:\/\/www.talgov.com\/Main\/Home",
            "locationSpecificMarkerIcon": ""
          },
        
          {
            "id": "7",
            "name": "Hialeah",
            "address": "501 Palm Ave, Hialeah, FL 33010",
            "coordinates": {
              "lat": 25.8523,
              "lng": -80.2783
            },
            "description": "Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Housing, Neighborhood, and Transportation",
            "phone": "(305) 883\u002D5800",
            "website": "https:\/\/www.hialeahfl.gov\/687\/Contact\u002DUs",
            "locationSpecificMarkerIcon": ""
          },
        
          {
            "id": "8",
            "name": "Indian River County",
            "address": "1801 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL. 32960",
            "coordinates": {
              "lat": 27.64665,
              "lng": -80.40377
            },
            "description": "Notable Cities: Fellsmere, Vero Beach \r\n\r\nAbove Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Environment, Health, Housing, Neighborhood, and Transportation",
            "phone": "(772) 567\u002D8000",
            "website": "https:\/\/indianriver.gov\/contact_us\/index.php",
            "locationSpecificMarkerIcon": ""
          },
        
          {
            "id": "9",
            "name": "Fort Lauderdale",
            "address": " 100 N Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301",
            "coordinates": {
              "lat": 26.1242,
              "lng": -80.1378
            },
            "description": "Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Housing, Neighborhood, Opportunity, and Transportation",
            "phone": "954\u002D828\u002D5000",
            "website": "https:\/\/www.fortlauderdale.gov\/Home",
            "locationSpecificMarkerIcon": ""
          }
        
      ],
      "analytics": {
        "formElementId": "",
        "categoryId": "",
        "componentId": "",
        "directionsFormElementId": ""
      }
    }

2. Sarasota County
AARP Age-Friendly Network Member
Notable Cities: Sarasota, Siesta Key, Venice
Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Environment, Health, Neighborhood, and Transportation

3. Gainesville
Community Challenge Grant Winner (3 Organizations)
Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Environment, Housing, Health, Neighborhood, and Transportation

4. St. Petersburg
AARP Age-Friendly Network Member
Community Challenge Grant Winner (4 Organizations)
Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Environment, Housing, Health, Neighborhood, and Transportation

5. Clearwater
AARP Community Challenge Grant Winner (2024)
Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Housing, Health, Neighborhood, and Transportation

6. Seminole County
Notable Cities: Altamonte Springs, Sanford, Winter Springs
Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Health, Neighborhood, Opportunity, and Transportation

7. Tallahassee
AARP Age-Friendly Network Member
Community Challenge Grant Winner (8 Organizations)
Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Environment, Housing, Neighborhood, and Transportation

8. Hialeah
AARP Age-Friendly Network Member
Community Challenge Grant Winner (2 Organizations)
Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Housing, Neighborhood, and Transportation

9. Indian River County
AARP Age-Friendly Network Member
Notable Cities: Fellsmere, Vero Beach
Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Environment, Health, Housing, Neighborhood, and Transportation

10. Fort Lauderdale
AARP Age-Friendly Network Member
Community Challenge Grant Winner (2 Organizations)
Above Average Ratings In: Civic and Social Engagement, Housing, Neighborhood, Opportunity, and Transportation