2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Boca Raton

Florida (FL)

Best for: High earners, retirees, professionals and families who value safety, healthcare, beaches, aesthetics and strong amenities more than affordability.

2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents

Modern Livability83.1/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population101,582

Median Home$722,700

Median Rent$2,508

Median Household Income$106,273

Cost of Living~111.8 (US=100; 2024 MSA)

Average Commute21.2 min

Unemployment~4.5% metro (Jul 2026)

Metro AreaMiami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

83.1overall

Housing & Financial Reality42.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living84.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability91.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity91.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness94.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place97.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion63.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape92.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging88.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment80.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture90.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity94.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate. Local trips are relatively short, but I-95 and seasonal traffic affect regional travel.

Weekend EscapeExcellent. Beaches, parks, boating, Delray Beach, Palm Beach and Everglades recreation are all within easy reach.

WalkabilityAbout 39/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is car-dependent overall, so the quality of daily life depends heavily on where home, work and errands are located.

Airport AccessExcellent. Palm Beach International and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood are both practical, giving Boca strong air-travel flexibility.

Outdoor AccessExceptional. Beaches, waterfront parks, golf, biking and year-round recreation are major lifestyle assets.

Healthcare AccessExceptional. Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health, provides high-level local care, with additional South Florida specialty systems nearby.

Air QualityGenerally good with coastal airflow, though heat, humidity and regional ozone or smoke events remain seasonal considerations.

Third Places / Social LifeExcellent. Mizner Park, downtown, restaurants, arts venues, beaches and university activity create a refined but active social environment.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Stable

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Boca Raton stands out in the 2027 MNM Livability Index for safety; income; healthcare; beaches; aesthetics; short commute; dining; airport choice. The city does not score well simply because of one headline statistic: its profile reflects housing, everyday ease, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure together. The clearest tradeoffs are very high housing and rent; insurance and storm exposure; car dependence; exclusivity and cost can limit accessibility.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Boca Raton feels manicured, affluent and comfortable. It combines a suburban sense of ease with beaches, a recognizable downtown and unusually strong healthcare.

STRENGTHS