Living in Hollywood, FL: What to Expect

Tucked between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Hollywood, Florida gives you a genuine beach-town feel with two major cities a short drive in either direction. Its palm-lined Broadwalk, warm weather year-round, and Florida’s lack of a state income tax draw a steady stream of new residents, from young professionals to retirees.

But beach living in South Florida comes with real tradeoffs on cost and climate. This guide walks through what living in Hollywood is actually like, covering the cost of living, neighborhoods, things to do, jobs, and weather, so you can decide whether it fits.

Living in Hollywood, FL at a Glance

• Population: about 153,000, the third-largest city in Broward County
• Location: midway between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, in the Miami metro
• Cost of living: modestly above the national average, driven mainly by housing
• Taxes: no Florida state income tax, a major draw for earners and retirees
• Signature spot: the 2.5-mile Hollywood Beach Broadwalk
• Climate: warm and subtropical, with hot, humid summers

What It Is Like to Live in Hollywood

Hollywood strikes a balance that is hard to find in South Florida: it feels like a laid-back beach town, yet it sits in the middle of one of the country’s largest metro areas. With roughly 153,000 residents, it is big enough to have a real downtown and a diverse, international community, but its beachfront and walkable core keep the pace relaxed.

Day to day, that means morning walks on the Broadwalk, a genuinely good and varied food scene, and easy access to the jobs, airports, and nightlife of both Fort Lauderdale and Miami without paying Miami Beach prices. If the relocation logistics are what you are after, our guide to moving to Hollywood, Florida covers the practical side of the move.

The Cost of Living in Hollywood

Hollywood runs modestly above the national average, and as with most of South Florida, housing is the main reason. The average home value in Hollywood is around $440,000, comfortably above the national figure, and the average apartment rents for roughly $2,200 a month. For a closer look at rentals across the wider county, our breakdown of the average rent in Broward County puts Hollywood in context.

The big offset is taxes. Florida has no state income tax and does not tax retirement income, which meaningfully raises take-home pay compared with higher-tax states. Keep in mind, though, that South Florida homeowners insurance is expensive because of hurricane risk, so budget for it alongside your mortgage or rent. As a rough guide, a single person should plan for a comfortable monthly budget in the mid-to-high two thousands once rent, insurance, and everyday costs are included, with housing as by far the largest and most variable piece.

Neighborhoods in Hollywood

Hollywood is really a collection of distinct areas, each with its own feel and price point:

• Hollywood Beach: the tourist and beach-lover’s choice, walkable and lively along the Broadwalk
• Downtown Hollywood: the arts and dining hub, centered on Young Circle and ArtsPark
• Hollywood Lakes: an upscale, tree-lined area near the beach with larger historic homes
• Emerald Hills: a sought-after inland neighborhood built around a golf course
• Hollywood Hills: an established, family-friendly area with a mix of home styles

Things to Do in Hollywood

The heart of it all is the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, a 2.5-mile brick promenade lined with cafes, shops, and bike rentals right along the sand. Beyond the beach, Downtown Hollywood’s ArtsPark at Young Circle hosts concerts and markets, and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino brings big entertainment and dining just minutes away. For ideas across the wider area, Visit Lauderdale is a good starting point. Between the water, the parks, and the proximity to two major cities, running out of things to do is not really a risk here.

Jobs and the Economy

Hollywood’s economy leans on healthcare, tourism, and hospitality. Memorial Healthcare System is one of the largest employers in the region, and the Seminole Hard Rock complex anchors a substantial hospitality and entertainment sector. Aviation, cruise, and logistics jobs cluster around the nearby airport and seaports, and a growing number of residents work remotely while enjoying the climate. Just as important is location: Hollywood sits between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, with Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and two major seaports nearby, so many residents commute to jobs across the tri-county area rather than working strictly in the city. That access to two separate metro job markets is one of Hollywood’s quiet advantages, giving you options without forcing you to live in either downtown.

Weather in Hollywood

Expect summer year-round. Average highs sit in the low 80s, winters are warm and mild, and the ocean breeze takes the edge off. The flip side is a hot, humid summer and an official hurricane season from June through November, so newcomers should understand storm preparedness and factor insurance into the budget. If the humidity question is on your mind, our look at how humid Miami gets applies closely to Hollywood too.

Getting Around Hollywood

Hollywood is more connected than much of South Florida, but you will still want a car for daily life. I-95 and the Florida Turnpike run north to south for driving to Fort Lauderdale or Miami, while Tri-Rail and the higher-speed Brightline give car-free options for commuting up and down the coast. The beach and downtown cores are walkable and bike-friendly, especially along the Broadwalk, but errands in the residential neighborhoods generally mean driving. Traffic on I-95 during rush hour is the usual South Florida headache, so factor your commute into where you choose to live.

Is Hollywood a Good Place to Live?

For the right person, Hollywood is a strong choice: you get beach access, a walkable downtown, no state income tax, and the amenities of a major metro without Miami Beach prices. The tradeoffs are real, though, in above-average housing costs, pricey insurance, summer heat and humidity, and hurricane season. It tends to suit beach lovers, remote and hybrid workers, and retirees more than anyone chasing rock-bottom costs. If you are comparing nearby options, our guides to living in Deerfield Beach and the broader quality of life in Florida are useful next reads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hollywood, FL a good place to live?

For many people, yes. It offers beach access, a walkable downtown, no state income tax, and easy reach to Fort Lauderdale and Miami. The main tradeoffs are above-average housing costs, expensive insurance, and hot, humid summers.

Is Hollywood, FL expensive?

It is modestly above the national average, mostly because of housing, with an average home value around $440,000. Florida’s lack of a state income tax offsets some of that, but homeowners insurance runs high due to hurricane risk.

Is Hollywood, FL safe?

Safety varies by neighborhood, as in any city of its size. Beach-adjacent and established residential areas like Hollywood Lakes and Emerald Hills are generally considered safe, so it is worth researching specific neighborhoods block by block.

What is Hollywood, FL known for?

Hollywood is best known for its 2.5-mile Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, its beaches, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and its location midway between Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

What is the best neighborhood in Hollywood, FL?

It depends on your priorities. Hollywood Beach suits those who want the sand at their doorstep, Downtown Hollywood appeals to people who want arts and dining, and Hollywood Lakes and Emerald Hills draw families and buyers wanting more space.

Making Hollywood Home

Living in Hollywood comes down to a simple trade: you pay a bit more to live near the beach in the middle of a major metro, and in exchange you get sunshine, walkability, and no state income tax. Decide which neighborhood fits your budget and lifestyle, plan for the insurance and the heat, and it is an easy place to enjoy. When the move itself is on the table, our residential moving team knows the city’s neighborhoods well, and you can lean on experienced local movers for your relocation in Hollywood. We handle tricky specialty items too, right down to how to move a piano safely.

Whenever you want real numbers for your specific move, you can request a moving quote anytime.