Living in Marco Island 

Are you considering a move to Marco Island, FL? Make sure you know these seven things before living on Marco Island! 

Marco Island is the largest of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands and is home to some of the most beautiful beaches. It is described as magical, mystical, and alluring, bringing in countless visitors and new residents yearly. The Island is known for its white sandy beaches, casual way of life, jumping dolphins, water sports, fresh seafood, and beautiful real estate. 

Even though it is the largest of Florida's Islands, Marco Island is only six miles by four miles in size. It is linked to the mainland by two bridges, making it easily accessible to residents and visitors. The most popular route is via Collier Blvd and Jolley Bridge, but other ways exist to access the Island. While the bridge offers beautiful views, you can also take the Marco Island Ferry. The Marco Island Executive Airport provides private jet services and charter flights to and from nearby international airports. 

To entice you to make a move or visit even more, TripAdvisor voted Macro Island the number one Island in the U.S. and ranked it the fourth-best Island in the world in 2014, as well as describing it as "the perfect destination for those who crave a peaceful retreat."

Marco Island currently has a permanent resident count of roughly 18,000, but during the peak winter season, they have a population of around 40,000. The average age in the area is 66.9 years old, also making it the perfect place to retire peacefully. To put tourism into perspective, in 2015, there were 1,829,500 visitors.

If you are interested in moving to Marco Island, there are some things you should know before packing up your life and making a move. You'll want to look into the cost of living, the weather, the job market, and more. Luckily, we have compiled all that information into this moving guide. Let's get started! 

Here are seven things to know about living in Marco Island 

History 

Before Marco Island was a top tourist spot with luxurious hotels and resorts, it was the home of the Calusa Indians and their ancient Muspa ancestors. The Calusa Indians were known as artists, wearing brightly painted clay masks that closely resembled animals. 

After over a thousand years of living, Marco Island was settled in 1870 by Captain W.D. "Bill" Collier, who arrived on his schooner. He then built the first place to stay, called The Olde Marco Inn, a popular restaurant. 

The Island began to flourish, and visitors from Miami and elsewhere came via the Olde Marco Ferry and railroad linked to the mainland. As the Island started to be discovered by the outside world, homes, buildings, and businesses began to pop up. Brothers Elliott, Robert, and Frank Mackle started dredging through the once-mangrove forest to uncover land for waterfront homes and canals in the 1940s and 1950s. The dreams of creating a "Hawaii of the East."

Today, many still call Marco Island Home to a beautiful resort Island vacation spot. It is a short distance from Naples and the Everglades, where you can experience shopping, dining, entertainment, nature, fishing, museums, and more. 

Cost of Living 

Before moving to a new area, you must ensure you can afford living costs. When determining, you'll want to look into your income, career, lifestyle, and everyday expenses. Since Marco Island is an expensive beach destination, it is not considered one of the cheapest places to live in Florida. 

According to 24/7wallst, the total cost of housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities for a single adult in Marco Island, FL, is $37,264 a year. Is this something you can afford? If you need help running the numbers independently, use a cost of living calculator. The calculator will consider where you live now and where you plan on moving to and then help you understand the disparities between the two areas. 

Compared to the state of Florida, the cost of living in Marco Island is 23% higher, and housing expenses are 69% higher. Overall, the cost of living is 11% higher than the national average. 

• Median Income: $87,475

Cost of Living Index	Marco Island, FL	National Average
Cost of Living	136.9	100
Goods & Services	109.5	100
Groceries	113.4	100
Health care	106.7	100
Housing	221.5	100
Transportation	81.4	100
Utilities	98	100

* Data Sourced from BestPlaces. 

In our next section, we will discuss the cost of purchasing real estate in Marco Island, so let's dive into how much it is to rent. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in 2023 was $3,600, up 73% from last year. 11% of homes are renter-occupied, and there are currently 344 apartments for rent on the Island.

Here are a few average rent costs in Marco Island, FL: 

• Studio: $1,600
• 1 Bedroom:$1,820
• 2 Bedrooms: $2230
• 3 Bedrooms: $2,970
• 4 Bedrooms: $3070

Real Estate 

It is essential to research the housing market in an area before moving. The cost of purchasing real estate and renting can change drastically in different parts of the country, so knowing what you can afford is essential. 

In 2023, Marco Island saw a change in home prices, down 6.5% compared to last year. The median selling price was 899K, and homes sold in 68 days on average. Marco Island is experiencing a seller's market, meaning more people are looking to buy than homes available. When a seller's market occurs, home sellers usually get a better home price since there is more competition. 

On our site, many homes in Marco Island are listed for sale. They are averaging 109 days on the market, and the median listing price is $2,037,650, averaging $731 per square foot. 

The area has countless phenomenal neighborhoods, whether you want to live on the waterfront, more inland, with boat access, or with convenience to fishing spots. Marco Beach is known to be one of the best communities on Marco Island. There are 14 homes listed with a median list price of $2,430,193. 

Another popular and luxurious community on Marco Island is the Hideaway Beach Club. This community is located in the Island's northwest corner and has a beach and a golf & country club. All single-family homes in the area are either beachfront or inland. The median list price of a home in this area is $1,875,000, averaging $455 per square foot. 

A more affordable neighborhood is Vintage Bay. The area has various condos, so it's perfect for those who enjoy amenities and easy water access. Our site's median list price is $632,817, averaging $295 per square foot. 

Education 

Marco Island has five schools: Tommie Barfield Elementary, Marco Island Charter Middle, Marco Island Academy High School, Island Montessori Academy Private School, and Marketplace Mission Learning Center Private School. 

The three public schools in Marco Island serve 1,032 students who are all K-12. The schools have an average math proficiency score of 79% and a reading proficiency score of 70%. They also have an average ranking of 10/10 in the top 10% of Florida public schools. 

Schools	National Ranking	Prive School Enrollment
Elementary schools In Marco Island	Scored 86.28 on a scale of 0-100	18.1%
Middle Schools In Marco Island	Scored 78.14 on a scale of 0-100	21.9%
High schools in Marco Island	Scored 66.54 on a scale of 0-100	10.5%

The closest college to Marco Island is Hodges University in Naples, FL. The school is approximately 24 miles away and has an acceptance rate of 100%. It is a 4-year private school that offers 15 majors, with the most popular being Business Administration, management and Operations, and Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies.

Florida Gulf Coast University is 37 miles away, with an 89% acceptance rate. It is a widely known public 4-year university that offers 44 majors. 

Weather 

As said before, Marco Island is known for its beautiful beaches and white sand. The year-round weather makes it possible to enjoy the water for most of the year. The temperature typically varies from 56 degrees Fahrenheit to 91 degrees Fahrenheit, rarely below 45 or above 94. It is said that the best time to visit Marco Island is from late October to early May in terms of weather. 

It can get pretty hot. The "hot season" lasts roughly 4.5 months, from May to October. The average daily high is above 88 degrees. The hottest month of the year is August, with an average high of 91 degrees and a low of 75 degrees. 

The "cool season" in Marco Island lasts 2.6 months, from December to February. The average daily high is below 77 degrees, but the coldest month is January. In January, the average low is 57 degrees, and the average high is 74 degrees. 

You will see rain throughout the year on Marco Island. The month with the most precipitation is June, averaging 6.2 inches of rainfall. The driest month of the year is December, averaging 1.4 inches of rain. 

Marco Island might only be for you if you enjoy humidity. The year's muggy period lasts about eight months, from April to late November. It is said that the humidity is miserable at least 43% of the time. That said, July has the most humidity, so you should avoid visiting that month. 

Job Market 

Marco Island has seen the job market increase by 0.9% over the last year. Currently, about 1,111 jobs are hiring across 16 industries in Marco Island. The top industries right now are 

• Sales & Business Development 
• Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management 
• Retail
• Healthcare

That said, the best companies to work for in Marco Island are; 

• Hyrdrapower International 
• YMCA of South Collier - Marco YMCA
  Island Country Club 
• Marco Beach Ocean Resort 
• Snook Inn 
• Marco Island Yacht Club

According to the World Population Review, the per capita income in 2023 is $148,234 for the average household with a poverty rate of about 5.8%.

Crime Rate 

Compared to communities of similar size, Marco Island has a crime rate equal to the average. It is said that Marco Island is safer than 63% of all the cities and towns in the US, which is good. No matter how secure a place may seem, you should always be aware and know how to protect yourself. 

Regarding violent crime, including armed robbery, aggravated assault, rape, and murder, your chances of becoming a victim in Marco Island is one in 998. 

Your chance of becoming a victim of a property crime such as arson, motor vehicle theft, robbery, or burglary in Marco Island is one in 160. 

Safest neighborhoods in Marco Island:

1. Goodland
2. Marco Beach East 
3. Olde Marco/Hideaway Beach 
4. Bald Eagle to Jamaica
5. Tigertail/Marco Beach 
6. Marco Beach North

Check out this guide to the safest places to live in Florida. 

FAQs 

Here are some common questions about life in Marco Island.

Is Marco Island an excellent place to live? 

One of the best places to live in Florida, Marco Island is full of great restaurants, things to do, coffee shops, parks, and beautiful beaches. 

Why is Marco Island so popular? 

Home to some of the most breathtaking beaches and world-class golf courses, Marco Island's location in the Gulf of Mexico off Southwest Florida makes it a popular spot to live for families and retirees. 

What is the average age on Marco Island? 

The average age for residents living on Marco Island is 66.9 years. 

Pros and Cons of Living in Marco Island 

Pros 

• Year-round warm weather
• No state income tax
• Close to airports
• Constantly sunny
• Low crime rate
• Beautiful beaches
• Various parks and entertainment opportunities 

Cons 

• High housing costs 
• Population size (small) 
• Expensive food costs 
• The overall cost of living is higher than the national average 

Things to Know BEFORE Moving to Marco Island - Final Thoughts

Marco Island is a beautiful beach-filled barrier Island with various water-sport opportunities, entertainment options, breathtaking natural areas, delicious dining, and white sand. While it may be beautiful, it's still essential to research the pros and cons to ensure Marco Island is the right fit for you. If you're moving with children, it's also crucial that you look into the School District.

If you are moving to Florida and would like to call Marco Island home, please contact us today to start your home search.