Florida workers' pay near bottom in wage survey as affordability concerns grow

News and views for thoughtful Floridians and other Americans

Florida’s four largest metropolitan areas rank in the bottom quarter of the nation’s major cities in terms of the median wages paid to workers.

This at a time when the cost of living is skyrocketing—especially the cost of housing, which over the past decade has jumped 164 percent in the Sunshine State.

Of the top 50 markets included in the Bureau of Labor Statistics study, Orlando was near the bottom, ranked 49th. It was followed by Jacksonville at Number 43, Tampa at 41, and Miami in 39th place.

Orlando actually moved up a notch in the latest numbers. It had been dead last, as the Orlando Sentinel reported Sunday. It was edged out by Las Vegas—both cities heavily dependent on tourism and tourism jobs that tend to be lower than average, driving those wage statistics down.

As the Sentinel reported:

It’s not surprising that two tourism towns are in a battle for the bottom. When your economy is built on the backs of hotel desk clerks, ride attendants, and people who change bed linens for a living, many will struggle. Both communities make headlines for workforce housing.

Once upon a time, Central Florida was affordable. That’s no longer the case. Homes that cost $150,000 in 2000 now cost $400,000. Wages haven’t kept pace.

Indeed, the median price of a home in Florida is now $433,600, according to the personal finance website Bankrate, using data from the National Association of Realtors, which shows housing costs rising nationwide.

Coupled with the rising costs of food, utilities, insurance, cars and other essentials, this is why a recent survey showed that about a quarter of all Floridians have “seriously considered” moving from the state.

When one out of every eight Floridians is on food stamps, it should be pretty clear we have an affordability crisis.

Different studies give you differing results, but Florida’s cost of living is certainly above the national average, often ranked in the top 10 or 15 most expensive states in which to live.

However, when you couple the cost of living with what people earn, the picture gets even more cloudy, ranking Florida—depending upon the study—32nd to 49th in terms of affordable states in which to live.

Older adults are feeling especially anxious about this, according to a recent survey conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons:

AARP Florida’s newly published Vital Voices survey reveals that Floridians age 45 and older are growing increasingly concerned about their financial security, access to healthcare, and the rising cost of everyday life …

Conducted every three years, the survey captures the top issues impacting older adults, providing a data-driven foundation for AARP Florida’s advocacy efforts on Social Security, Medicare, and family caregiving support, along with consumer protection and community-based services. They are not just priorities, they are essential lifelines.

“This survey makes it clear: Floridians aged 45 and older are deeply concerned about their financial future,” said Jeff Johnson, AARP Florida State Director. “From the rising cost of living to the future of Social Security and Medicare, the issues that are vital to older adults are grounded in economic security and peace of mind.”

What are the top financial concerns:

You can see the full summary here:

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Related: The high cost of living is causing half of all Floridians to consider moving out of state, according to a new study

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What are your thoughts on this issue of affordability and the cost of living in Florida? Are you among those who have considered leaving? Share your thoughts with the Tropic Press community by clicking on the COMMENTS link at the bottom of this post. Thanks.

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Check out this story

The closest thing Florida has ever had to an official state media outlet was an online “news service” called The Florida Standard. But there wasn’t anything standard about it. It was a propaganda machine funded by dark money at the behest of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Independent investigative journalist Jason Garcia has the story. You can find it on the Tropic Press website here:

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Video of the day …

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J.C. Bruce, journalist and author, is the founder of Tropic Press. He holds dual citizenship in the United States of America and his native Florida. Forward this email to your friends. They will love you for it.

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Thanks to today’s sponsor

Today’s report is brought to you by The Light Fantastic 2: Amazing Pets, an anthology of hilarious science fiction short stories and novellas created by a hive of award-winning Florida writers. Now on sale. Get your copy here.

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