Moving to Key Largo, FL
What full-time life in the Upper Keys costs and asks of you
Key Largo is a good place to live for buyers who want boating, diving and a small-town island pace within driving distance of Miami, and who can absorb Keys prices and insurance: the typical home is worth about $1,094,723 on Zillow's index, up 3.9% last year and 30.2% over five years. Almost a third of homes, 31.6%, are seasonal. Moving here full time means planning around storms, limited building permits and an hour-plus drive to big-city services.
- Typical home value
- $1.09M Key Largo, Zillow, September 2026
- Past year
- +3.9%
- Past 5 years
- +30.2%
- Lower third of the market
- $641K typical value
- Upper third
- $3.53M typical value
Where Key Largo is and how you get around
Key Largo is the first and northernmost of the inhabited Florida Keys, in Monroe County. It is unincorporated, so Monroe County handles zoning, permits and most local services. US-1, the Overseas Highway, is the main road and the only one most people use daily. From the mainland you reach it over the 18-mile stretch from Florida City, or by Card Sound Road, a toll route to the north end.
Miami International Airport is usually a drive of an hour and a half or more depending on traffic. Large stores, more medical specialists and most big errands mean trips to Homestead and Florida City. Baptist Health's Mariners Hospital in Tavernier, just south of Key Largo, is the closest hospital. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the reef and the waters of Florida Bay are the reasons most people choose this part of the Keys.
Zillow Home Value Index, mid-tier, seasonally adjusted. Hover to see any date.
Data table
| Month | All homes |
|---|---|
| Dec 2016 | $557,390 |
| Dec 2017 | $586,739 |
| Dec 2018 | $615,236 |
| Dec 2019 | $622,244 |
| Dec 2020 | $682,526 |
| Dec 2021 | $892,607 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,064,277 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,094,125 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,093,467 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,056,602 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,094,723 |
What housing is available
Census data shows 63.5% of Key Largo's units as detached single-family homes, 15.8% as mobile homes and only 6.8% in buildings of 10 or more units. The median year built is 1983. In practice that means stilt houses and ground-level block homes, a large stock of mobile and manufactured homes on owned lots or in parks, and smaller condo and townhouse complexes, many of them on the water.
Zillow's single-family index is about $1,068,265, up 3.6% last year. The condo index, about $1,335,407 and up 9.0%, is higher than the house figure. That is unusual, and it reflects a small condo market where higher-end waterfront and club units carry a lot of weight. The bedroom figures tell a similar story: a 1-bedroom at about $764,586 and a 2-bedroom at about $786,986 are close together because in the Keys the lot and water access drive price more than the size of the home. A 3-bedroom runs about $1,130,238 and a 4-bedroom about $2,476,586.
- 1 bedroom$765K
- 2 bedrooms$787K
- 3 bedrooms$1.13M
- 4 bedrooms$2.48M
- 5+ bedrooms$4.07M
Zillow index by bedroom count, all home types.
- Islamorada$1.24M
- Key Largo$1.09M
- Summerland Key$1.08M
- Key West$1.02M
- Layton$905K
- Key Colony Beach$891K
- Ramrod Key$865K
- Marathon$832K
- Big Coppitt Key$779K
- Big Pine Key$753K
- Tavernier$731K
- Stock Island$667K
Zillow index.
Cash you need to buy at $1,095,000
| All cash | Mortgage, 20% down | Foreign national loan, 35% down | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $1,095,000 | $219,000 | $383,250 |
| Buyer closing costs | $1,450 | $9,793 | $8,890 |
| Total at closing | $1,096,450 | $228,793 | $392,140 |
Includes Florida doc stamps on the note ($0.35 per $100 borrowed), the 0.2% intangible tax on the mortgage, the lender's title policy, settlement and recording fees and typical lender fees. Excludes prorated taxes and HOA. For your exact numbers use the closing cost calculator.
How Key Largo compares with the rest of the Keys
On Zillow's all-homes index, Key Largo ($1,094,723) is above Key West ($1,016,112), Marathon ($832,447) and Tavernier ($731,258), and below Islamorada ($1,238,000). The lower third of Key Largo's market trades around $640,782, which is often where mobile homes on owned lots, older ground-level houses and small condos sit. The upper third begins near $3,532,998, mostly open-water and larger canal homes.
Buyers who want Upper Keys access at a lower price often compare Tavernier, a short drive south, with Key Largo. For a full-time move, compare drive times to the mainland as well as price, since Key Largo is the closest of the Keys to Miami-Dade.
Building limits, flood rules and permits
The Florida Keys are an Area of Critical State Concern, and Monroe County limits new residential building permits through its Rate of Growth Ordinance, known as ROGO. That keeps supply tight and makes buildable vacant lots and existing permitted homes valuable. If you plan to build or significantly expand, confirm the lot's status with the county before you buy.
Much of Key Largo sits in FEMA high-risk flood zones, including coastal V zones on some waterfront lots. Newer homes are elevated. Older ground-level homes can face strict limits on how much they can be improved before they must be brought up to current flood rules. Rules on enclosed space under elevated houses have changed in recent years, so have any downstairs enclosure checked against permits. Ask for the elevation certificate on every property.
Insurance, storms and the cost of an island home
Insurance is a large line item in the Keys. Expect separate wind, flood and homeowners coverage, and get quotes for all three during your inspection period. A wind mitigation report and newer roof help. Older homes will need a 4-point inspection. On a Key Largo house, the hurricane deductible will be 2%, 5% or 10% of the dwelling limit, charged once per calendar year. Citizens Property Insurance is the insurer of last resort if private carriers decline.
Monroe County issues evacuation orders early, with visitors ordered out first and residents of mobile homes typically asked to leave before others. Plan where you would go and how you would protect boats and property. Salt air also shortens the life of AC units, metal fixtures and roofs, so budget for higher maintenance.
Taxes, residency and who moves here
Florida has no state income tax. A permanent resident can claim the homestead exemption, up to $51,411 for 2026, and the Save Our Homes cap then limits yearly assessment increases to 3% or CPI. Your assessment resets to market value after the purchase. Non-homestead owners get only a 10% cap on non-school levies.
The Census profile shows a median age of 49.6, with 27.0% of residents 65 or older. Key Largo tends to suit people who will use the water, accept a small-town supply of services and plan carefully for storm season. It suits less well buyers who want big-city amenities nearby or a low-maintenance home with low insurance. If you tell me whether you need dockage, which side of the island you prefer and your budget, I can narrow Key Largo to a short list that fits.
What buyers ask me
Is Key Largo a good place to live?
For people who want boating, diving and island life close to the mainland, it can be. The typical home is about $1,094,723 per Zillow. Trade-offs include high insurance, hurricane evacuations and limited services.
How far is Key Largo from Miami?
Key Largo is the closest of the Keys to the mainland, reached by US-1 from Florida City or by Card Sound Road. Miami International Airport is often an hour and a half or more by car, depending on traffic.
What are the pros and cons of living in Key Largo?
Pros: water access, the reef, a quieter pace, no state income tax. Cons: high home prices and insurance, flood rules, limited building permits under ROGO, evacuations and long drives for some services.
Is there a hospital in Key Largo?
The nearest hospital is Baptist Health's Mariners Hospital in Tavernier, just south of Key Largo. Larger hospitals are on the mainland in Miami-Dade.
Get a shortlist that fits your budget
Tell me what you're looking for and I'll send real listings with the full cost of owning each one: HOA or condo fees, property tax at your price, insurance, and closing costs. No newsletters, no pressure.
- MLS listings, including ones that just hit the market
- Condo budget, reserves and inspection history checked before you offer
- Fully remote if you need it: video tours, e-signing, wire to escrow
Or reach me directly: (754) 203-9632 · info@danmarusinhomes.com · WhatsApp on the same number
Check the costs yourself
Data: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), Zillow Research, latest month September 2026; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Figures for small areas carry margins of error. These are planning numbers, not an appraisal of any property.