2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Pensacola

Florida (FL)

Best for: Military families, remote workers, retirees and beach lovers who want short commutes, strong Gulf access, historic character and comparatively low costs.

2027 CITY CLASSSmall City25,000–99,999 residents

Modern Livability83.7/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population53,817

Median Home$314,400

Median Rent$1,322

Median Household Income$74,212

Cost of Living~93.0 (US=100; 2024 MSA)

Average Commute22.0 min

Unemployment~4.2% metro (Jul 2026)

Metro AreaPensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, 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.

83.7overall

Housing & Financial Reality89.0

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

Ease of Living91.0

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

Safety & Stability68.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity79.0

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

Health & Wellness86.0

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

Beauty & Sense of Place96.0

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

Mobility & Congestion62.0

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

Nature & Escape99.0

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

Diversity & Belonging76.0

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

Climate & Environment84.0

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

Community & Culture94.0

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

Infrastructure & Connectivity82.0

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

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionLow to moderate. Commute times are short, though bridge, beach and military-base traffic can create localized peaks.

Weekend EscapeOutstanding. Gulf beaches, bays, barrier islands and state parks make outdoor escape immediate rather than occasional.

WalkabilityAbout 36/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is car-dependent overall, so neighborhood choice strongly affects daily convenience.

Airport AccessExcellent. Pensacola International Airport is close to downtown and easy to use.

Outdoor AccessExceptional. Gulf beaches, bays, barrier islands, paddling and state parks are immediate.

Healthcare AccessStrong to exceptional regional healthcare access, with major hospital and specialty services available locally or nearby.

Air QualityGenerally good with Gulf breezes, though humidity, storms and occasional smoke or ozone events can affect conditions.

Third Places / Social LifeExcellent: historic downtown, Palafox Street, bars, cafés, galleries, waterfront spaces and military/community events provide strong public life.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Improving

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Pensacola earns attention in the 2027 MNM Livability Index because its strongest qualities are beaches; housing value; short commute; historic downtown; military economy; airport; outdoor access. The score is not based on one traditional statistic: it balances housing, ease of living, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure. Its biggest tradeoffs are hurricane exposure; smaller professional job market; lower regional wages; car dependence outside downtown.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Pensacola feels historic, coastal and distinctly Gulf Coast rather than generic Florida. The downtown grid, military presence and extraordinary beaches give it strong identity.

STRENGTHS