Popular MAGA state sees middle class flee to raise families in more affordable places

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21 Apr 2026 • 1:55 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Popular MAGA state sees middle class flee to raise families in more affordable places

  • Florida's middle-class residents are increasingly leaving the state due to rising costs, particularly soaring housing prices and inflation.
  • The average home price in Florida has risen to $375,000, a significant increase from $253,000 before the pandemic.
  • Florida's net domestic migration saw a sharp decline in 2025, coupled with deaths now outnumbering births and fewer immigrants entering the state.
  • Surveys indicate that approximately 90% of Floridians are concerned about inflation, and 80% worry about housing prices, with half considering moving due to the cost of living.
  • The cost of raising a child in Florida has also increased by 10% since 2025, reaching an estimated $280,280 over 18 years, reflecting broader national concerns about affordability.

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