Pensacola, FL Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Pensacola, FL: What You Need to Know

Pensacola, the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle, is home to the Naval Air Station and the world-famous Blue Angels.

Things to Do in Town

A trip to Pensacola isn’t complete without a visit to the National Naval Aviation Museum, the largest of its kind in the world. The museum has over 150 restored aircraft representing the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviation. The historic aircraft are displayed inside the museum’s over 350,000 square feet of exhibit space and out on its 37-acre grounds. The city boasts of some of the most pristine beaches you’ll find anywhere: Pensacola Beach, with 18 miles of sugar-white sand seashore, and Perdido Key, famous for its abundant estuaries and wildlife.

Weather and Climate

The entire Florida Panhandle, including Pensacola, is vulnerable to hurricanes. Hurricane Ivan was one of the worst hurricanes to make landfall at or near Pensacola. On Sept. 16, 2004, Ivan caused eight deaths in the western Florida Panhandle, and damages estimated at $14 billion. Pensacola typically gets 64 inches of rain, a lot more than the U.S. average of 38 inches, and no snow at all.

Cost of Living

Pensacola (population: 52,975) offers an affordable coastal lifestyle. Its cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 11.8%, 15.6%, and 31.7% lower than the national average respectively. The median gross rent in Pensacola is $942. The icing on the cake – the Sunshine State doesn’t collect any income tax. It imposes 6% to 8.50% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

One of the perks of living in this Navy town is getting a front seat to Blue Angels (officially called the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron) air shows. On the days the squadron is flying, hit the beach, look up to the sky, and enjoy the show. Residents love the amenities and the welcoming environment in Pensacola. In the suburbs, Pace and Gonzalez attract a lot of newcomers for their affordability, good schools, and proximity to Pensacola. One happy camper described Pace as “a retiree’s dream come true.”

Schools and Higher Education

There are two four-year public universities in Pensacola – University of West Florida (12,487 students) and Pensacola State College (9,773 students). There are 20 other colleges and universities within 100 miles of the city. Pensacola has 62 public schools serving 33,620 students. Brown Barge Middle School, A.K. Suter Elementary School, and N.B. Cook Elementary School are among the highly ranked schools in the city.