2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Riviera Beach

Florida (FL)

Best for: Boaters, beach-oriented households and workers who value coastal access and Palm Beach County location more than polished suburban amenities.

2027 CITY CLASSSmall City25,000–99,999 residents

Modern Livability75.8/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population39,357

Median Home$299,800

Median Rent$1,700

Median Household Income$58,620

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

Average Commute24.4 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.

75.8overall

Housing & Financial Reality69.0

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

Ease of Living72.0

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

Safety & Stability50.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity75.0

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

Health & Wellness73.0

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

Beauty & Sense of Place87.0

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

Mobility & Congestion62.0

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

Nature & Escape96.0

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

Diversity & Belonging97.0

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

Climate & Environment78.0

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

Community & Culture75.0

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 / CongestionModerate to high. South Florida regional traffic creates recurring peak-hour delay; shorter local trips can be easy, but cross-county commuting changes the experience quickly.

Weekend EscapeVery good. Atlantic beaches, waterways, parks and South Florida destinations are close, although weekend traffic can materially change travel times.

WalkabilityAbout 41/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is car-dependent overall, so location within the city has a large effect on everyday convenience.

Airport AccessExcellent regional air access. Miami International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood or Palm Beach International provide major domestic and international options depending on location.

Outdoor AccessGood to excellent. South Florida beaches, parks, waterways and Everglades recreation are within regional reach, with the exact mix depending on how coastal the city is.

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 QualityMixed. Coastal airflow helps, but heat, humidity, traffic emissions and periodic ozone, smoke or Saharan-dust events can reduce comfort.

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

Riviera Beach stands out in the 2027 MNM Livability Index for beaches and boating; peanut island; port of palm beach; diversity; regional job access; shorter commute. 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 safety and poverty challenges; storm/flood risk; insurance; uneven redevelopment.

REAL LIFE