With insurance costs, private school tuition and restaurant spending all on the rise, Miami’s cost of living has surpassed that of New York, according to an annual price-comparison report published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Source: Newsweek
Tampa Bay
Comes in to Focus
as Florida’s Gulf Coast
enters multibillion-dollar boom
For decades, the standard play for wealthy out-of-state transplants was to head straight to Florida’s East Coast. But now the rush is on to Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast. Tampa Bay is posting the fastest luxury home price growth in the country. A corporate and residential gold rush is quietly emerging along the Gulf Coast. Driven by an I-75 corridor stretching from Tampa to Marco Island, Hollywood elites and high-net-worth families are helping fuel a multibillion-dollar real estate boom in historically quiet retirement havens.
Source: Newsweek / Redfin
My Take:
The value proposition of Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast is undeniable.
For example: The average luxury home price in Tampa Bay is currently $1,650,875. That same home in Miami is $4,855,331.
Mortgage Rates
Average 6.58%
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.58% this week. As market conditions continue to evolve, borrowers should remember that shopping around for a mortgage rate can make a meaningful difference, potentially saving them thousands over the loan’s lifetime.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.58% as of July 23, 2026, up from last week when it averaged 6.55%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.74%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.96%, up from last week when it averaged 5.93%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.87%.
