Boca Raton FL vs Tallahassee FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boca Raton
98,833
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 8.0% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 50.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 8.6% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Boca Raton +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Tallahassee
51.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $55,931 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $35,704 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Boca Raton + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 23.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 51.0% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 39.5% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Tallahassee
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Tallahassee
1453
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 34.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 20.3% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.2% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Boca Raton. Boca Raton has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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