10 Best Places to Celebrate Mardi Gras in the U.S.
If you love Mardi Gras, live somewhere that shares your passion! Explore other cities that host the biggest celebrations in the U.S.
Avg Rent
$1,368
Population
52,936
Renter Mix
41% Rent
Welcome to Pensacola, a historic coastal city where maritime heritage meets Southern tradition. Located along Florida's Gulf Coast, Pensacola offers everything from renovated historic homes to modern apartment communities. Downtown's walkable streets showcase diverse rental options, with current average rents ranging from $1,319 for one-bedroom units to $1,852 for three-bedroom homes. The rental market has seen rates decrease by 2.6% over the past year. East Hill features classic bungalows, while North Hill showcases preserved Victorian architecture.
Pensacola's identity is shaped by its military presence and coastal location, with Naval Air Station Pensacola serving as home to the Blue Angels flight demonstration team. The city centers around Palafox Street, where local shops and restaurants line the historic district. Plaza Ferdinand VII marks the spot where Spain transferred Florida to the United States in 1821. The University of West Florida campus and National Naval Aviation Museum add to the city's cultural landscape. With over 54,000 residents within city limits, Pensacola combines historic charm with coastal living, offering access to Gulf beaches and waterfront parks throughout the area.
Pensacola locals love the outdoors, taking walks, riding bikes, and boating.
Downtown Pensacola is a vibrant shopping and dining district.
The neighborhood of East Hill is a picturesque and quaint area of Pensacola.
Median Household Income
$55,583
Average: $77,840
Education
18,488
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
25,971
Workers Employed
Median Age
42 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
22%
Over 65
22%
Housing Distribution
Pensacola has more homeowners than renters.
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
As of September 2026, the average apartment rent in Pensacola, FL is $1,287 for a studio, $1,367 for one bedroom, $1,570 for two bedrooms, and $1,924 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Pensacola has increased by 1.9% in the past year.
The cost of living in Pensacola, FL is 2.0% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Pensacola is 10.7% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,287 - $1,924. You can expect to pay 1.2% more for groceries, 6.7% less for utilities, and 3.1% less for transportation.
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10 Best Places to Celebrate Mardi Gras in the U.S.
If you love Mardi Gras, live somewhere that shares your passion! Explore other cities that host the biggest celebrations in the U.S.
The Total Cost of Renting an Apartment
Rent is just the start. See every fee that shapes the true cost of renting before you sign.
How to Show Proof of Income for an Apartment: 15 Options for Renters
No pay stubs? No problem. See 15 ways to show proof of income—from pension letters to freelance invoices.
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Pensacola, FL is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
Limited Public Transit
Transit
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
Public
Grades K-5
534 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
745 Students
Cordova Park Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
539 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
516 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
881 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
565 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
321 Students
Escambia Virtual Academy Franchise
Public
Grades K-12
180 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,057 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
911 Students
PENSACOLA STATE CHARTER ACADEMY
Public
Grades 9-12
208 Students
West Florida High School/Technical
Public
Grades 9-12
1,342 Students
Escambia Virtual Academy Franchise
Public
Grades K-12
180 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,168 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,578 Students
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in September 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.