Perdido Key is a narrow strip of land that is 16 miles long and only a few hundred yards wide in most places.  It is located in the northwest region of Florida’s panhandle, nestled between Pensacola, FL and Orange Beach, AL.

Stretches of white, sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and access to some of the coast's most beautiful wildlife are only some of the factors that make Perdido Key such a lovely place to visit and live, but it doesn’t stop there.  With the area's dedication to preserving its shorelines, state and national parks, it is guaranteed that spending some time here will have you soaking up the tranquility and peacefulness so that you can truly appreciate what it’s like to be on “island time”. Read on to learn more.

Employment Opportunities

Those who decide to call Perdido Key home have access to a wide range of employment opportunities.  In fact, Perdido Key boasts an anticipated 43.8% job growth rate over the next decade (that’s a full 10.4% higher than the average across the United States).  The majority of the working professionals in the area are employed in the health care, hospitality, retail or administrative sectors.  The area also has thriving agricultural, forestry, fishing & hunting, and mining industries. 

Many residents in the Perdido Key area choose to seek employment in the neighboring areas of Pensacola, FL, Orange Beach, AL, or Gulf Shores, AL, as well.  Across the whole of Escambia County, the health care and social assistance sector tops the employment list, followed by retail and educational services.    

Who's Hiring?

Some of the top local employers in the medical field are Gulf Coast Health Care, Baptist Health Care, Lakeview Center, West Florida Hospital and Sacred Heart Health System. Educational opportunities abound at the University of West Florida, as well as at Escambia County School District, responsible for administrating all of the public schools in the county (currently 35 elementary schools, 9 middle schools and 7 high schools and several specialized centers).  The Gulf Power Company, Wendco Corporation and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also play an important role in employment in the area.    

Perdido Key’s private employment industry stems directly from the tourism associated with the area.  A plethora of restaurants, shopping centers, health and beauty services and local experiences provide employment. 

There is also a distinct military presence in the area, with a large portion of residents either on active duty or retired (more so than 99.6% of other neighborhoods across the US). 

Cost of Living

The average cost of living in the Pensacola area comes in about 8% lower than the national average.  Despite it’s beautiful beaches, Perdido Beach has kept its small town feel and avoided over-crowding, allowing it to continue to be a wonderful place to both visit and live year-round. 

Homes in the Perdido Key area range from $30,000 to $7.5 million, with the current median price falling in around $597,000.  This is up 5.7% over the previous year.   There is a wide variety of rentals available throughout the year, as well, with the current median price falling in at around $1800 per month.  About half of the residents here rent and the other half own and 63.5% of the housing is seasonally occupied.  It is a great place for a year-round home, a vacation property or an investment rental property.