Northeast Florida cities land on 2026 national snowbird rankings

Two Northeast Florida communities earned spots among the nation's top 100 destinations for seasonal winter visitors in 2026-27, according to a new study released by Florida Realtors. Ormond Beach ranked No. 20 and Lake City placed 18th on a separate affordability measure, as part of a statewide trend that saw 63 Florida cities land on the list.

The StorageCafe study evaluated nearly 500 cities nationwide based on housing costs, seasonal rental availability, weather, healthcare, recreation and everyday expenses. Florida dominated the rankings, claiming six of the national top 10 spots, with Winter Haven and Lakeland taking the top two positions.

What the study found

Winter Haven led the nation in the overall rankings, followed by Lakeland at No. 2. Vero Beach placed fifth, Hollywood sixth, Clearwater ninth, and Lake Wales tenth. Florida's presence extended throughout the top 100, with Sarasota at No. 11, Bradenton at No. 12, Tampa at No. 15, Ormond Beach at No. 20, Fort Myers at No. 35, Ocala at No. 39, Pensacola at No. 56, and Cape Coral at No. 100.

Lake City ranked as Florida's most affordable destination among the national top 100, placing 18th on the study's separate affordability measure. The study noted that Lake Wales, ranked tenth overall, offers average rents near $1,100. In Lakeland, the second-ranked city nationally, about one-third of rentals are designated for seasonal use.

StorageCafe's evaluation criteria included housing costs, the availability of seasonal rental units, weather conditions, healthcare access, recreational opportunities, and everyday living expenses. The study was released October 22, 2026, by Florida Realtors.

What it means for Ormond Beach and Flagler County

Ormond Beach's No. 20 ranking places the coastal city among the top fifth of snowbird destinations nationwide and positions it as a draw for seasonal visitors seeking alternatives to higher-priced markets further south. The city sits along the Atlantic coast in Flagler and Volusia counties, with the bulk of its population and commercial activity in Volusia, but its northern reach extends into Flagler.

Seasonal visitor demand can shape local housing markets in several ways. Property owners in desirable snowbird cities typically have the option to pursue short-term or seasonal rental strategies rather than offering year-round leases, which can reduce the supply of housing available to permanent residents and year-round workers. At the same time, snowbird-driven rental income can support property values and make homeownership more financially feasible for investors and second-home buyers.

The presence of winter visitors also affects retail, dining, and service businesses along the A1A corridor and throughout Ormond Beach. Seasonal population surges create predictable waves of customer traffic that some businesses rely on to anchor annual revenue. Conversely, the off-season slowdown can challenge smaller operators that lack the capital reserves to smooth cash flow across the calendar.

Healthcare providers and medical facilities in the area serve both permanent and seasonal populations. Snowbirds, who tend to be older on average, increase demand for primary care, specialist services, and urgent care during the winter months. Practices and clinics that can accommodate fluctuating patient volumes gain a competitive advantage in snowbird markets.

Lake City's affordability advantage

Lake City's 18th-place finish on the affordability ranking underscores the role that lower housing costs play in attracting seasonal visitors to inland North Florida. The city, located in Columbia County roughly 60 miles west of Jacksonville, offers access to Interstate 75 and Interstate 10, connecting snowbirds to both coasts and major metropolitan areas.

Affordability rankings typically reflect not just rental or purchase prices, but also the cost of utilities, groceries, dining, and other day-to-day expenses. For seasonal visitors on fixed incomes or budgets, these factors can make the difference between a destination that fits and one that stretches resources too thin.

Lake City's placement suggests that snowbirds are increasingly willing to trade coastal proximity for lower costs and a quieter environment. This trend, if sustained, could steer more seasonal rental investment and second-home purchases toward inland markets in Columbia, Baker, and southern Nassau counties, areas that have historically seen less snowbird activity than coastal communities.

The economic impact of seasonal visitors in smaller cities like Lake City can be substantial relative to the year-round population. Restaurants, retail shops, golf courses, and recreational facilities benefit from the winter influx, while property-tax revenue generated by second homes and investment properties helps fund local government services without adding permanent residents who require year-round school seats or infrastructure capacity.

How snowbird preferences are changing

The study's findings reflect a broader shift in what seasonal visitors prioritize when choosing a winter destination. Dr. Xiaoxiao Fu, an associate professor at the University of Central Florida, told Florida Realtors that affordability remains a top factor, but snowbirds are increasingly evaluating affordability in terms of overall value rather than simply seeking the cheapest option.

That shift in priorities elevates the importance of healthcare access, recreational amenities, and transportation options alongside home prices. For cities like Ormond Beach and Lake City, the implication is that maintaining and improving quality-of-life infrastructure—medical facilities, parks, road connectivity, and walkable downtimes—can be as important to attracting snowbirds as keeping housing costs competitive.

The trend toward inland destinations also suggests that traditional coastal snowbird markets may be reaching saturation or pricing out budget-conscious visitors. Communities that can offer convenient access to beaches, airports, and urban amenities without requiring visitors to pay beachfront premiums stand to capture a growing share of the seasonal market.

For property owners and real-estate investors in Northeast Florida, the study's rankings offer a data point for evaluating where seasonal rental demand is likely to remain strong. Markets that combine affordability, healthcare, and recreation—criteria the StorageCafe study weighted heavily—may see sustained interest from snowbirds even as economic conditions and migration patterns shift.

What property owners and investors should watch

Seasonal rental markets are shaped by both local regulations and economic cycles. Property owners considering short-term or seasonal rental strategies should verify that local zoning and land-use rules permit such rentals and understand any licensing, inspection, or tax-collection requirements. In Florida, short-term rentals are generally subject to state and local sales taxes and tourist-development taxes, which vary by county.

Demand for seasonal rentals can fluctuate with broader economic trends, interest rates, and the financial health of the retiree and near-retiree demographic that makes up the bulk of the snowbird population. A strong stock market and low borrowing costs typically support robust snowbird activity, while economic downturns can reduce discretionary travel and second-home purchases.

In Ormond Beach and Flagler County, ongoing residential development and infrastructure projects will influence how well the area can accommodate growth in seasonal visitors. Road capacity along A1A and US 1, water and sewer service availability, and the pace of new housing construction all factor into whether the local market can absorb increased demand without upward pressure on prices that could erode the area's competitive position.

Lake City's affordability ranking may attract attention from investors looking for lower entry costs and less competition than in established snowbird markets. However, smaller inland markets also carry different risks: thinner buyer and renter pools, longer holding periods, and less liquidity if an owner needs to sell quickly. Investors should weigh those trade-offs against the potential for appreciation and rental income.

What happens next

The 2026-27 snowbird season is already underway, and seasonal rental inventory in ranked markets like Ormond Beach and Lake City will be watched closely by property owners, real-estate agents, and local economic-development officials. Occupancy rates, rental prices, and visitor spending data collected over the winter will help stakeholders understand whether the rankings translate into measurable increases in seasonal activity.

Florida Realtors and regional multiple listing services track seasonal rental listings and absorption rates, data that can offer early signals of shifting demand. Property owners listing seasonal rentals typically do so in late summer or early fall for the upcoming winter season, so trends in listing volume and lease-up speed over the next few months will be telling.

Local governments in snowbird markets often conduct seasonal economic-impact studies or monitor tax-revenue collections tied to short-term rentals and tourism. Those reports, typically released in the spring after the season ends, provide a longer-term view of how snowbird activity contributes to municipal budgets and private-sector revenue.

The study's findings arrive as Northeast Florida continues to attract new permanent residents and investment in residential and commercial development. How seasonal visitor demand interacts with year-round population growth—particularly in areas like Flagler County, where both trends are strong—will shape housing supply, pricing, and the character of communities along the coast and inland corridors. For cities that made the rankings, the challenge will be balancing the economic benefits of seasonal visitors with the housing and infrastructure needs of the people who live here year-round.