Cost of Living in Jensen Beach: 2025 Local Guide

Thinking about a home in Jensen Beach but unsure what it really costs each month? You are not alone. Coastal living can feel complex if you are moving from out of state or planning a seasonal place. In this guide, you will learn the real-world cost drivers that matter in Jensen Beach, how to budget for them, and practical steps to verify numbers before you buy. Let’s dive in.

What drives costs in Jensen Beach

Jensen Beach sits on Florida’s Treasure Coast in Martin County. Its coastal setting brings benefits and a few unique expenses. You will plan for insurance that accounts for wind and hurricanes, potential flood coverage, higher salt-related upkeep, and possible HOA or condo fees, especially in waterfront communities.

If you are a seasonal owner, expect extra line items like property checks, utility management during vacancies, and hurricane prep. The goal is to build a clear, property-specific budget rather than rely on statewide averages.

Mortgage and property tax basics

Florida property taxes are based on a property’s assessed value and local millage rates. In Martin County, your annual tax equals assessed value multiplied by the millage rate, then divided by 1,000. Many owners pay through mortgage escrow.

To budget monthly, divide the annual property tax by 12. If you are comparing homes, look up the parcel on the county property appraiser site to view assessed values and recent tax history, then ask your lender how taxes will be handled with your loan.

HOA and condo fees

Many coastal condos and some neighborhoods have monthly HOA or condo fees. These can cover exterior maintenance, roof and common-area repairs, master insurance for common areas, landscaping, elevators, pools, seawalls, pest control, and reserves.

Condo communities often carry higher fees to properly fund reserves for roofs, elevators, or seawalls. Single-family neighborhoods may have lower fees or none. Always review the most recent budget, reserve study, meeting minutes, and any special assessment history before you make an offer.

Homeowners insurance and wind coverage

Florida homeowners insurance is often higher than inland markets due to hurricane and wind risk. Many policies use percentage-based hurricane or wind deductibles, commonly ranging from 1% to 5% of dwelling coverage. That means your out-of-pocket after a declared hurricane can be significant.

Ask insurers about mitigation credits. Features like impact windows, roof straps, and shutters may reduce premiums when documented through a wind-mitigation inspection. Some owners use private carriers, while others are insured through the state’s insurer of last resort. Get multiple quotes from local agents familiar with Martin County.

Flood insurance: separate and essential

Standard homeowners policies do not cover flooding. If a property is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, your lender will likely require flood insurance through the federal program or a private insurer. Premiums vary based on flood zone, elevation, and building details, including elevation certificates.

If you are considering a condo, find out whether the association carries a master flood policy for the building and what you, as a unit owner, would still need to insure.

Utilities and regular services

Electricity is a major line item in Florida due to air conditioning. Your usage will vary by home size, insulation, and occupancy. Seasonal owners often see lower averages but higher peaks when in residence.

Add water and sewer, trash and recycling, and internet or TV to your monthly plan. Some homes use propane for pool heaters or gas appliances. Ask for 12 months of seller utility bills to understand real usage and seasonal swings.

Maintenance and coastal upkeep

Coastal homes need more frequent upkeep because salt and humidity accelerate wear. A common rule of thumb is to budget 1.5% to 3% of a home’s value per year for maintenance on coastal single-family homes, especially waterfront properties. Condos can reduce some private maintenance but may have higher association fees to fund reserves.

Plan for exterior painting, pressure washing, pest control, HVAC service and earlier replacement, and corrosion-resistant hardware. Waterfront owners should also plan for dock or seawall repairs over time. If you own a pool, include regular service.

Absentee-owner and rental management costs

If you will not be in residence full-time, consider monthly property checks, lawn and pool care, and storm prep services. For long-term rentals, management fees often range from 8% to 12% of monthly rent. Short-term rentals can carry higher fees plus cleaning and marketing costs.

Before buying with rental goals, confirm county regulations and any HOA rules related to lease terms and guest stays. Rules vary by community.

Illustrative monthly budgets (2025)

Below are example ranges to help you pressure-test a budget. Your numbers will depend on the property’s specifics. Always verify with quotes and community documents.

Example A: Waterfront 2-bed condo (seasonal owner)

• HOA/condo fee: $300–$1,000+ per month
• Homeowners insurance (owner portion): $100–$300 per month equivalent
• Flood insurance: $50–$300 per month equivalent
• Utilities, seasonal usage: $100–$250 per month
• Maintenance/reserves set-aside: $50–$150 per month
• Property management if rented seasonally: 8%–20% of rental revenue or $100–$300+ per month during vacancy

Notes: Associations may handle exterior items, but special assessments for roofs or seawalls can still occur.

Example B: Single-family coastal home (primary)

• HOA: $0–$200 per month
• Homeowners insurance: $200–$600 per month
• Flood insurance: $100–$600+ per month
• Utilities with high AC use: $200–$400 per month
• Maintenance set-aside: about 1.5%–3% of value per year
• Hurricane prep and generator amortized: variable by equipment and service

Example C: Inland or in-town home

• Often lower flood risk, which may reduce or remove flood insurance
• Insurance and maintenance can be lower than direct waterfront
• Utilities still reflect Florida AC needs and humidity

These figures are illustrative only. Verify at the address level before you finalize your budget.

How to verify your numbers

• Property taxes: Use the county property appraiser site to confirm assessed values and millage, then divide the annual tax by 12 for monthly planning.
• HOA/condo: Request the current budget, reserve study, insurance certificate, recent meeting minutes, and any special assessment notices.
• Insurance: Get at least three quotes from local agents. Ask about wind deductibles, mitigation credits, and whether flood is separate or included.
• Flood zone: Check the FEMA map for the property parcel and ask the seller for an elevation certificate if available.
• Utilities: Request a 12-month history of electric, water, and internet bills. Adjust for your expected occupancy.
• Rental rules: Confirm Martin County guidance and any HOA restrictions if you plan to rent.

Long-term coastal risk planning

Coastal ownership benefits from a forward-looking plan. Budget for periodic exterior work and potential seawall or dock maintenance if applicable. Ask insurers how hurricane deductibles work and whether your policy includes replacement-cost coverage and additional living expense limits.

For a longer horizon, review coastal resiliency planning and consider how elevation, building improvements, and local infrastructure can influence insurance availability and costs over time.

Ready to compare properties with confidence?

You deserve a clear, tailored budget before you make a move in Jensen Beach. If you want help mapping costs to specific homes, reviewing HOA documents, or aligning your goals with the right neighborhood, connect with a local advisor who lives this market every day. Reach out to Liz Elliott to start a focused, no-pressure conversation.

FAQs

What are the main monthly costs for a Jensen Beach home?

• Plan for mortgage and property taxes, HOA or condo fees if applicable, homeowners and flood insurance, utilities, and a maintenance reserve that reflects coastal conditions.

Do I need flood insurance in Jensen Beach?

• If a property sits in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, lenders typically require flood insurance; even outside high-risk zones, many owners choose coverage for added protection.

How do hurricane deductibles affect my budget?

• Many policies use percentage-based hurricane or wind deductibles, which can mean large out-of-pocket costs after a declared storm; ask your agent to model scenarios.

How much should I set aside for coastal maintenance?

• A common range for coastal single-family homes is about 1.5%–3% of the property’s value per year, with needs higher for direct waterfront or complex systems.

What do HOA or condo fees usually cover?

• Fees often fund exterior maintenance, common-area insurance, reserves, amenities, and services like landscaping, pest control, elevators, pools, and seawalls where applicable.

How can I verify true monthly utility costs?

• Request 12 months of seller bills for electric, water, and internet, then adjust for your occupancy and seasonal AC use to estimate your monthly average.