Is Margate Safe, Pros and cons of living in Margate

Margate, Florida, nestled in Broward County and part of the vibrant Miami metropolitan area, offers a suburban lifestyle with convenient access to South Florida’s attractions. Established in the 1950s, the city has grown from its early days as a gateway to western Broward County into a thriving community of over 58,000 residents (as reported by the US Census Bureau). Margate boasts a tropical climate, characterized by warm temperatures and a distinct wet season, making it an attractive location for those seeking sunshine year-round.

The city’s name, a portmanteau of its founder’s name and “gateway,” reflects its historical significance and its ongoing role as a welcoming community. Margate provides a range of amenities, including parks and recreational facilities, contributing to a balanced lifestyle for its inhabitants. Its strategic location and community-focused development have shaped its identity as a desirable place to live within the bustling South Florida region.

Is it Safe to Live in Margate?

Margate’s safety profile presents a mixed picture, with data indicating that crime rates are comparable to or slightly above the national average in some categories, yet safer than many other communities of similar size. The overall crime rate is approximately 10 crimes per one thousand residents, which is considered higher than the national average across all communities (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). However, when compared to other cities of similar population size, Margate’s crime rate is notably lower than the average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Specifically, the violent crime rate in Margate is about one per one thousand inhabitants, which is considered average for communities across America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Property crime, however, presents a different statistic, with a rate of 9 per one thousand population, indicating an above-average chance of becoming a victim of property crime compared to all other communities in America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Residents generally consider the northern part of the city to be the safest, with varying chances of victimization depending on the neighborhood, ranging from 1 in 32 in the east to 1 in 77 in the north (as reported by AreaVibes and CrimeGrade.org).

Cost of Living in Margate

The cost of living in Margate, Florida, is higher than both the national and state averages, largely driven by housing expenses. Overall living costs are approximately 16% higher than the U.S. national average and significantly higher than Florida’s state average (as reported by Salary.com). This trend reflects a 3% increase from the previous year, indicating a rising cost of sustaining a household in the area.

Housing costs in Margate are particularly notable, being 23.4% higher than the national average (as reported by Salary.com). The median listing price for a home was approximately $184,900 in March 2026 (as reported by Redfin), though Zillow reports the average home value at $318,811 as of March 31, 2026, with a year-over-year decrease of 4.9% (as reported by Zillow). Monthly rent for an apartment averages around $1,922, which is 17% higher than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com).

Housing Costs

The housing market in Margate shows a median listing price of $184.9K, with homes averaging 76 days on the market (as reported by Redfin). However, Zillow’s data indicates a higher average home value of $318,811 as of March 31, 2026, which has seen a slight decrease of 4.9% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). This suggests a dynamic market where prices can fluctuate, and days on market can indicate a slower pace for sellers.

Rental prices also reflect the higher cost of living, with the average rent for an apartment in Margate being $1,922 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). This is 17% higher than the national average rent price, making Margate one of the more expensive cities for renters in the U.S. (as reported by Apartments.com). For those considering renting, a one-bedroom apartment averages around $1,625, while a two-bedroom unit can cost approximately $2,022 per month (as reported by Apartments.com).

Daily Expenses

Beyond housing, daily expenses in Margate contribute to its overall cost of living. Food expenses are approximately 5.0% above the national average, with an estimated monthly cost of $420 for an individual and $1,365 for a family (as reported by Salary.com). Similarly, energy, transportation, and healthcare costs are about 6.9% higher than the national average, totaling around $935 per month for one person and $2,109 for a household (as reported by Salary.com).

These combined costs result in a significant monthly expenditure for residents. A single person can expect to spend approximately $2,835 per month, while a family of four may face monthly expenses of around $6,188 (as reported by Salary.com). These figures underscore Margate’s position as one of America’s more expensive cities, necessitating careful budgeting for its residents.

Job Market and Economy

Margate’s economy is characterized by a diverse range of employment sectors, though recent data indicates a slight decline in overall employment. As of 2024, employment in Margate saw a decrease of 1.1%, with the number of employees dropping from 30.7k to 30.4k (as reported by Data USA). The most prominent industries for Margate residents are Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Educational Services (as reported by Data USA).

The unemployment rate in Margate was reported at 4.60% as of April 2026, showing an increase from the previous month and year, but remaining lower than the long-term average (as reported by YCharts). While the state of Florida’s unemployment rate was 4.6% in February 2026 (as reported by USAFacts), Margate’s rate is comparable. Major employers in the city include Arrigo Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Margate, AutoNation, Broward County Public Schools, the City of Margate, and Global Response Corporation (as reported by The Alliance and Zippia).

Major Employers

Several key entities form the backbone of Margate’s employment landscape. Broward County Public Schools is a significant employer, reflecting the importance of the education sector in the region (as reported by The Alliance). The City of Margate itself also provides numerous employment opportunities within its municipal services (as reported by The Alliance).

In the private sector, automotive dealerships like Arrigo Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Margate and AutoNation are major contributors to the local economy (as reported by The Alliance). Global Response Corporation, a customer service and support company, also features prominently among the city’s largest employers (as reported by Zippia and The Alliance). Additionally, Northwest Medical Center is a key healthcare provider and employer in the area (as reported by Lensa).

Salaries and Wages

The average annual salary in Margate is approximately $55,421 as of late April 2026, which translates to about $26.64 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). This figure indicates a salary range, with most salaries falling between $34,527 and $77,396 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Margate was reported as $62,450 in 2024 (as reported by Florida Census Data).

However, it’s important to note that these figures can vary significantly based on occupation, experience, and other factors. For instance, some of the top-paying job types in Margate include Homegoods, Dds, and Cvor Nurse (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The highest-paying industries for residents are Public Administration, Information, and Finance & Insurance (as reported by Data USA).

Climate in Margate

Margate, Florida, experiences a tropical climate, typical of South Florida and bordering on a tropical rainforest or monsoon climate (as reported by Wikipedia). This means residents can expect long, hot, and humid summers, with short, comfortable, and mostly clear winters. The city is located seven and a half miles from the Atlantic Ocean, which influences its weather patterns.

Temperatures in Margate generally range from 60°F to 90°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 45°F or exceeding 93°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather and NOAA). The hot season typically spans from late May to late September, with average daily high temperatures above 87°F. The hottest month is August, with highs around 90°F and lows of 78°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Temperatures

During the summer months, daily high temperatures in Margate hover around 88°F, with lows around 76°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). August is the warmest month, often reaching daily highs of 90°F and lows of 78°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Conversely, the cool season lasts from early December to early March, with average daily high temperatures below 78°F.

January is typically the coldest month, with average lows around 60°F and highs around 75°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The temperature rarely dips below 45°F, ensuring mild winters. The ocean water temperature also experiences seasonal variation, being warmest from late June to early October, averaging above 83°F, and coolest from late December to mid-April, averaging below 78°F (as reported by NOAA).

Rainfall

Margate experiences a significant amount of rainfall annually, with an average of approximately 61 inches per year (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The wet season generally runs from late May to mid-October, with a greater than 40% chance of a wet day. August typically sees the most rainfall, with an average of 19.1 days experiencing at least 0.04 inches of precipitation (as reported by NOAA).

The drier season extends from mid-October to late May. December usually records the fewest wet days, averaging about 5.1 days with precipitation (as reported by NOAA). The summer months, from May to October, can feel uncomfortably humid due to the combination of heat and frequent rainfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education in Margate

Margate, Florida, is part of the Broward County Public Schools district, which serves a large and diverse student population across numerous schools. The district encompasses a range of educational institutions, including elementary, middle, and high schools, catering to students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The quality of education can vary across different schools within the district, with some consistently performing at higher academic levels than others.

For example, Atlantic Technical College is recognized as a high-performing high school, ranking among the top in Broward County with exceptional test scores and a high graduation rate (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Conversely, some schools, like Suned High School of North Broward, have shown significantly lower test scores in subjects like Algebra 1 (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Charter schools in the area generally tend to outperform traditional public schools, though equity concerns persist, particularly in schools with higher poverty rates (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

School Ratings

School ratings in Margate present a varied landscape. Margate Elementary School, for instance, has a Niche grade of B- and a GreatSchools Rating of 8 out of 10 (as reported by Niche and Homes.com). Academically, 63% of its students are proficient in math and 55% in reading, according to state test scores (as reported by Niche).

Other institutions like A.D. Henderson University School & FAU High School and The College Academy at Broward College receive high ratings, with Niche scores of 4.58 and 4.41 out of 5, respectively (as reported by Niche). McFatter Technical High School also holds a strong rating of 4.19 out of 5 (as reported by Niche). These varied ratings highlight the importance of researching individual schools to find the best fit for a student’s educational needs.

Demographics of Margate

As of the most recent census data, Margate’s population is approximately 58,712 (as reported by Wikipedia). The city has experienced population growth, with projections indicating a continued increase. The median age in Margate is around 45 years (as reported by Point2Homes and Florida Census Data).

The racial composition of Margate is diverse, with significant populations of both Black or African American and White residents. According to recent data, approximately 33.7% of the population identifies as Black or African American, and 33.6% identify as White (as reported by Point2Homes). Hispanic or Latino residents make up about 26.7% of the population (as reported by Florida Census Data).

Population and Age

Margate’s population has seen steady growth, with projections for 2026 reaching over 61,000 residents (as reported by World Population Review). The median age of 45 years suggests a balanced demographic, with approximately 14.1% of residents under 15 years old and about 23.5% being 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes). This age distribution indicates a community with both younger families and a significant senior population.

Gender distribution shows a slight difference, with 48% of locals being male and 52% being female (as reported by Point2Homes). For every 100 females, there are approximately 92.1 males (as reported by World Population Review). This demographic composition influences the community’s overall character and lifestyle.

Race and Ethnicity

The racial makeup of Margate is characterized by a near-even split between Black or African American and White populations, each comprising about a third of the residents (as reported by Point2Homes). Specifically, 33.69% are Black or African American, and 33.63% are White (as reported by Point2Homes). Residents identifying with two or more races constitute a significant portion, around 20.92% (as reported by Point2Homes).

Hispanic or Latino individuals represent 26.7% of the population (as reported by Florida Census Data). Additionally, about 3.24% of locals have Asian roots (as reported by Point2Homes). A notable percentage of residents, 40.6%, were born outside the United States, indicating a diverse foreign-born population (as reported by Data USA).