2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Plant City

Florida (FL)

Best for: Families, logistics workers and value-conscious Tampa Bay households who want lower housing costs, a historic downtown and room to spread out.

2027 CITY CLASSSmall City25,000–99,999 residents

Modern Livability76.6/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population44,118

Median Home$272,500

Median Rent$1,370

Median Household Income$67,020

Cost of Living~100.0 (US=100; 2024 MSA)

Average Commute27.4 min

Unemployment~4.4% metro (Jul 2026)

Metro AreaTampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, 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.

76.6overall

Housing & Financial Reality91.0

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

Ease of Living78.0

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

Safety & Stability70.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity79.0

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

Health & Wellness79.0

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

Beauty & Sense of Place78.0

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

Mobility & Congestion50.0

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

Nature & Escape79.0

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

Diversity & Belonging78.0

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

Climate & Environment73.0

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

Community & Culture80.0

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

Infrastructure & Connectivity81.0

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

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate. Local trips are usually manageable, but regional arterials, bridges and beach traffic can create bottlenecks.

Weekend EscapeExcellent. Gulf beaches, trails, parks and the broader Tampa Bay region are close enough to support frequent recreation.

WalkabilityAbout 31/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is car-dependent overall, so location within the city has a large effect on everyday convenience.

Airport AccessExcellent. Tampa International and St. Pete-Clearwater International provide strong regional connectivity, with the best choice depending on destination and neighborhood.

Outdoor AccessVery good. Parks, waterways and regional natural areas provide strong year-round recreation.

Healthcare AccessStrong. Major hospital and specialty-care systems are available locally or within the surrounding metro, providing practical access to emergency and routine care.

Air QualityGenerally favorable with Gulf influence, though humidity, ozone, red tide and occasional smoke can affect sensitive residents.

Third Places / Social LifeGood to very good. Parks, cafés, restaurants, community events and neighborhood commercial areas provide regular gathering places, with depth varying by district.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Improving

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Plant City stands out in the 2027 MNM Livability Index for housing affordability; historic downtown; central tampa-orlando corridor; logistics; family space. Its profile balances housing, ease of living, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure rather than relying on one traditional metric. The biggest tradeoffs are car dependence; regional commute; smaller professional job base; hot summers.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Plant City feels more like an independent small city than a Tampa suburb. Agriculture and historic downtown character remain visible even as growth accelerates.

STRENGTHS