Retire on the Emerald Coast
Compare Emerald Coast towns from Pensacola Beach to Panama City Beach on taxes, health care, housing and storm risk.
We compare 25 towns on the Emerald Coast with U.S. Census data, the nearest hospital from our local directory and official state tax rules. The highest share of residents 65 and older is in Miramar Beach (38.3%) and Mexico Beach (38.1%). Taxes: Florida: no state income tax.
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Compare towns on the Emerald Coast
Tick up to three towns to see them side by side. Tap a column to sort. Hospital distance is a straight line from the town center to the closest hospital in our directory, not driving time.
| Town | Population | Median age | 65 and older | Median home value | Median rent | Income, 65+ households | Nearest hospital | Pharmacies within 5 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navarre | 39,838 | 38.8 | 13.6% | $375,700 | $1,966 | $58,191 | 15.3 mi | 1 |
| Panama City | 34,979 | 39.5 | 17.8% | $268,900 | $1,327 | $50,938 | 1.5 mi | 4 |
| Crestview | 28,773 | 31.7 | 11.2% | $277,900 | $1,366 | $59,268 | 1.3 mi | 1 |
| Pace | 26,282 | 37.7 | 19.3% | $293,800 | $1,282 | $62,771 | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Fort Walton Beach | 21,025 | 39.1 | 19.7% | $321,800 | $1,307 | $69,031 | 2.2 mi | 2 |
| Lynn Haven | 20,081 | 37.3 | 15.6% | $320,000 | $1,563 | $75,709 | 2.2 mi | 4 |
| Panama City Beach | 18,971 | 45.4 | 17.8% | $441,300 | $1,791 | $59,884 | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Niceville | 16,544 | 38.4 | 18.2% | $423,500 | $1,749 | $71,622 | 1.2 mi | 3 |
| Destin | 14,077 | 41.5 | 18.3% | $490,300 | $1,936 | $67,650 | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Callaway | 13,496 | 35.2 | 11.9% | $250,300 | $1,322 | $58,056 | 5.2 mi | 2 |
| Milton | 10,733 | 38.4 | 16.8% | $233,100 | $1,455 | $64,821 | under 1 mi | 0 |
| Miramar Beach | 8,902 | 59.5 | 38.3% | $733,000 | $2,250 | $71,111 | 2.2 mi | 2 |
| Springfield | 8,230 | 38.0 | 17.7% | $188,600 | $1,307 | $58,320 | 2.9 mi | 5 |
| Freeport | 6,689 | 36.9 | 12.3% | $407,800 | $1,859 | $78,417 | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Gulf Breeze | 6,660 | 49.9 | 27.7% | $505,600 | $1,536 | $78,059 | 1.1 mi | 1 |
| DeFuniak Springs | 6,532 | 31.6 | 16.2% | $201,400 | $1,024 | $36,250 | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Valparaiso | 4,885 | 28.9 | 14.3% | $394,700 | $1,366 | $90,076 | 3.1 mi | 2 |
| Parker | 4,509 | 38.4 | 18.9% | $224,200 | $1,338 | $85,786 | 3.9 mi | 2 |
| Mary Esther | 4,061 | 39.8 | 21.5% | $298,900 | $1,699 | $65,417 | 3.3 mi | 2 |
| Mexico Beach | 1,099 | 60.2 | 38.1% | $466,300 | $1,951 | $60,523 | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| Shalimar | 885 | 53.8 | 32% | $476,500 | $2,551 | $108,750 | 2.1 mi | 3 |
| Jay | 796 | 30.8 | 9.5% | $150,800 | $1,117 | $49,167 | under 1 mi | 0 |
| Paxton | 686 | 50.8 | 23.5% | $171,200 | $860 | $36,071 | 22.1 mi | 0 |
| Cinco Bayou | 609 | 43.9 | 18.2% | $348,800 | $1,643 | $93,125 | 2.7 mi | 2 |
| Laurel Hill | 355 | 43.8 | 24.8% | $117,900 | $742 | $45,625 | 16.7 mi | 0 |
Taxes for retirees
Florida
No state income tax
- Florida has no individual income tax, so Social Security, pensions, IRA withdrawals and military retirement pay are not taxed by the state.
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) distributions are not taxed by the state.
- Homeowners can claim a homestead exemption. Some counties and cities add an extra exemption for residents 65 and older with household income under a limit set each year ($38,686 for 2026).
- Veterans with a 10% or higher combat-related disability can get up to $5,000 off assessed value; totally and permanently disabled veterans can get a full homestead exemption.
The real costs, honestly
Insurance and storms come first. Homeowners and flood insurance can cost more here than the property tax, and a standard policy does not cover flooding. Get quotes before you make an offer, check the flood zone and learn your evacuation zone.
FEMA flood maps · FloodSmart (National Flood Insurance Program) · Ready.gov: hurricanes
Local dentists for retirees on the Emerald Coast
Hospitals on the Emerald Coast
- North Okaloosa Medical Center
- North Walton Doctors Hospital
- HCA Florida Destin Emergency
- 96th Medical Group
- Fort Walton Beach Medical Center
- Gulf Coast Treatment Center
- Gulf Breeze Hospital
- Jay Hospital
- Santa Rosa Medical Center
- West Florida Community Care Center
- Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast
- Twin Cities Hospital
- Santa Rosa Medical Center – Pace ER
- VITAS Healthcare Inpatient Hospice Care
- Emerald Coast Behavioral Hospital
- 325th Medical Group
An active retirement on the Emerald Coast
Emerald Coast Fishing Beach Romance Reads Visitor guides Events Golf coursesLibraries
Your moving checklist
- Driver's license and car registration with Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- Register to vote at Register to vote in Florida
- Medicare plans change by ZIP code: compare them at Medicare.gov, or get free one-on-one help from your state's SHIP counselors
- Find a new doctor before you move: many practices have waiting lists for new patients
- Save your county emergency management page and sign up for its alerts
Already retired here?
Help the next family decide. We publish short answers from readers after an editor reviews them, never with your address.
- Why we moved here: what you love, what surprised you and what you would tell a friend.
- Ask a local: send a question and we will answer it on this page or in a story.
- Add a club or class: free listing in our events calendar.
Retirement news and guides
Questions people ask about retiring on the Emerald Coast
Does Florida tax retirement income?
No state income tax. Florida has no individual income tax, so Social Security, pensions, IRA withdrawals and military retirement pay are not taxed by the state. Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) distributions are not taxed by the state.
Which towns are closest to a hospital on the Emerald Coast?
Jay (under 1 mi to Jay Hospital), Milton (under 1 mi to West Florida Community Care Center), Gulf Breeze (1.1 mi to Gulf Breeze Hospital), measured in a straight line from the town center to hospitals in our local directory.