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Key West, FL Utility & Living Guide
Key West is a coral cay island in the Straits of Florida, at the southernmost end of the U.S. state of Florida and its outlying Florida Keys archipelago.
Key West, FL — Heritage, Historical Lore & Civic Curiosities
🏛️ Name Origins & Municipal Quirks: Originally 'Cayo Hueso' (Bone Key) from bleached human skeletons found by early Spanish explorers.
🌿 Natural Wonders & Topography: The southernmost coral island in the continental US, protected by North America's only living barrier coral reef.
🚂 Boomtown & Industrial Lore: By 1830, Key West was the richest city per capita in the United States, powered by the licensed marine shipwreck salvage trade.
📜 Pioneer Migration Footprints: Populated by Bahamian conch wreckers, New England captains, and Cuban cigar makers fleeing colonial conflicts.
⚡ Civic & Engineering Firsts: Flagler's 128-mile Overseas Railroad reached Key West in 1912, hailed internationally as the Eighth Wonder of the World.
🎲 Forgotten Curiosities & Regional Lore: Remained under strict Union military control throughout the Civil War due to the impenetrable brick walls of Fort Zachary Taylor.
Monthly Utility Costs
$120/mo
$40/mo
$45/mo
$25/mo
$65/mo
Housing Market
| Rent & Property | |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $1853/mo |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2059/mo |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2573/mo |
| Median Home Price | $814,200 |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.1% |
| Avg Childcare/mo | $1000 |
Key West has limited housing inventory, driving up prices. Many residents live in historic conch houses or modern condos.
Cost of Living
105
+5% above national average
102
98
100
$1000
Tax Rates
| Tax Overview | |
|---|---|
| Total Sales Tax | 7.5% |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.1% |
| <p>State 6% + County 1.5%</p> | |
Florida has no state income tax.
Family & Relocation
50
6.5/10
$1000/mo
City Pulse
Limited public transit; most families rely on cars or bikes.
- Key West Aquarium
- Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
- The Turtle Hospital
Best Neighborhoods for Families
Household Budget Calculator
Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Key West based on your household profile.
📰 Live Local News
Short-term rental restrictions apply in some neighborhoods. Historic district rules limit exterior modifications.
Financial Tools
- Income Tax CalculatorEstimate take-home pay by state
- Mortgage CalculatorMonthly payment estimator
- Affordability CalculatorHow much home can you afford?
- Childcare Cost EstimatorCompare daycare costs by city
- Retirement PlannerRetirement readiness check
- Car Lease CalculatorMonthly lease payment estimator
- Savings CalculatorGrow your emergency fund
- City Comparison ToolCompare cities side by side
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📊 Key West — Census & Demographic Data
Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
Key West, Florida — City Overview
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