Santa Rosa County Homes for Sale

Northwest Florida · county seat Milton · 193,719 residents

Santa Rosa County is Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Milton, and Pace — the family-and-military county between Pensacola and the Okaloosa beaches, prized for top-rated schools (Gulf Breeze especially), sugar-white Navarre Beach, and affordable, fast-growing inland communities.

1,144 homes for saleMedian $351KBalanced MarketNorthwest Florida

Live Market Pulse

71/100
Momentum

Balanced Market

Buyer 7/10 · Seller 5/10 · Investor 7/10. Top Panhandle schools and a quieter beach (Navarre) draw military families; Pace and Milton offer the most affordable new construction.

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Built fromZillow & Realtor.com datarealMLS listingsCensus & IRSUpdated monthly

LiveMarket PulseApril 2026

$351K

Median Value

+0.1%

1-Yr Price

55days

Avg DOM

17.3%

Price Cuts

Balanced

Seller Leverage

$211/sf

Median $/Sqft

1,144

For Sale

Jon's Current Read

"Santa Rosa County is Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Milton, and Pace — the family-and-military county between Pensacola and the Okaloosa beaches, prized for top-rated schools (Gulf Breeze especially), sugar-white Navarre Beach, and affordable, fast-growing inland communities. For buyers that means real negotiating room; for sellers, sharp pricing and a willingness to offer a concession. The county median is a starting point — the number that matters is the one for a specific home in a specific Santa Rosa County neighborhood, which is what we price against live comps."

Jon Brooks, founder, Momentum Realty · Updated June 2026

The 60-Second Overview

Santa Rosa County snapshot (April 2026): typical home value $351K ($211/sqft), median rent $1,996, about 1,144 active listings, a median 55 days on market, and 17.3% of listings cutting price — a balanced market. Values are +0.1% over the past year and +5.0% over five years.

Santa Rosa's economy is tied to the military — NAS Whiting Field in Milton is one of the Navy's busiest training airfields, and Eglin and NAS Pensacola are next door — plus a deep commuter relationship with Pensacola. Santa Rosa Medical Center, the school district (a top employer), and Navarre Beach tourism round out the base, with fast residential growth in Pace and Milton.

Live Inventory

Homes for Sale in Santa Rosa County

About 1,144 active listings across Santa Rosa County right now, median list price $400K at $211/sqft. Browse everything for sale, filter by price, area, and school zone, and ask us about any address.

Entry

under $246K

Condos, townhomes, and starter homes — the lowest-cost way into Santa Rosa County and its school zones.

Core

$246K–$456K

The heart of the market: established single-family homes and newer planned-community product.

Top

$456K+

Luxury, waterfront, acreage, and custom homes — the county's strongest-resale tier.

Search all homes for sale in Santa Rosa County →See off-market & private listings

Rolled-up counts and medians from Realtor.com, April 2026. Price bands are typical ranges for orientation, not an appraisal.

Santa Rosa County Market Scorecard

Balanced Market

Santa Rosa County is a balanced market: about 1,144 active listings, a median list price of $400,000, 17.3% of them cutting price, and homes going under contract in about 55 days.

$351K

Typical value

476

New / mo

$211

$/sqft

Days on mkt

17.3%

Cut price

$1,996

Median rent

Typical home value · last 13 months $351K

Go deeper: county scorecard · all 67 counties · true cost calculator · affordability calculator.

Typical value & rent: Zillow Research. Listings & days on market: Realtor.com, April 2026. Market metrics describe homes for sale and recent sales, not residents.

Should You Buy, Sell, or Invest Here?

7/10

Buyer

Top Panhandle schools and a quieter beach (Navarre) draw military families; Pace and Milton offer the most affordable new construction.

5/10

Seller

School-and-military demand keeps it firm, especially in Gulf Breeze and Navarre.

7/10

Investor

Steady military-tenant demand plus Navarre Beach vacation appeal make Santa Rosa a solid Emerald Coast rental market.

Momentum Offers

Get a Cash Offer in Santa Rosa County

Need to sell fast, as-is, or skip the showings? Momentum Offers gets you a real cash offer on your Santa Rosa County home in 24 hours — and, because we're a licensed RealTrends-500 brokerage, we'll also show you what the same home would net on the open market, so you can choose with both numbers in front of you.

Cash offer

~$316K

Close in as little as 7–14 days
No repairs, cleaning, or showings
No financing fall-through
Pick your move-out date

List with Momentum

~$351Ktypical value

Often nets more, even after commission
Sells 1.25% above MLS average, 8 days faster
Full marketing & negotiation
We front the prep with our concierge

Get my Santa Rosa County cash offer →How Momentum Offers works

Figures are illustrative ranges, not an offer. Your actual cash offer and net-to-seller depend on the home's condition, location, and current Santa Rosa County demand. Compare both at our Santa Rosa County cash-offer page.

Schools in Santa Rosa County

The Santa Rosa County School District is among the top-rated in the Panhandle, and Gulf Breeze schools in particular are a major draw for military families — Gulf Breeze High is consistently among the best in the Pensacola metro.

Gulf Breeze High School (top in the Pensacola metro)
Navarre High School
Pace High School
Milton High School

Gulf Breeze is the most sought-after school zone and is priced accordingly; confirm the assignment for an address. See school-zone guides →

Taxes, Insurance & Cost to Own

A median-priced Santa Rosa County home costs about $2,536/month all-in (mortgage, tax, and insurance, 10% down) against median household income of $88,968. Florida's homestead exemption removes up to $50,000 of assessed value, and Save Our Homes caps annual assessed-value increases at 3% while you keep the homestead.

Typical property-tax millage	12.806 mills (~1.28% before exemptions)
Avg. homeowners insurance	$2,444/yr (Citizens county avg)
Homestead exemption	Up to $50,000 + 3% Save Our Homes cap
Est. all-in monthly (PITI)	$2,536/mo on a $351K home
Income to buy median home	$101,444/yr (est.)

At about $2,444 a year, Santa Rosa sits on the higher end for Florida, so build insurance into your offer math from day one. Wind-mitigation features earn insurance credits; flood insurance is priced separately by address. Run your own numbers with the true cost calculator.

New Construction in Santa Rosa County

Builders pulled 1,929 residential permits last year (-2.7% YoY) — 1,929 single-family and 0 multifamily, about 10.0 per 1,000 residents. Active master-planned communities include Holley by the Sea (Navarre); Tiger Point (Gulf Breeze); Stonebrook Village; Avalon Beach; Pace-area new construction. Builders compete on rate buydowns and closing-cost credits; buyer representation matters even on a new build. See active builders →

Population & Migration

Santa Rosa County has about 193,719 residents. On a net domestic basis it gained roughly 3,756 people and a net +$209.54M in adjusted gross income in the latest IRS filing year (county-to-county moves within the U.S.; this does not count international migration or births). Domestic arrivals are led by TX, AL, VA, CA. Migration is the demand engine behind prices: when more income flows in than out, it supports both rents and values.

12-Month Forecast

Expect Santa Rosa to stay firm over the next 12 months: top schools (especially Gulf Breeze) and the military base anchor demand, Navarre's beach appeal holds, and Pace/Milton affordability fuels continued growth, with coastal insurance the main brake.

Cities & Towns in Santa Rosa County

The cities and communities that make up Santa Rosa County — each its own market with its own prices, schools, and feel.

Navarre	Quiet 'Florida's Best Kept Secret' beach community between Pensacola and Destin.
Gulf Breeze	Affluent peninsula city with the county's top schools.
Pace	Fast-growing, affordable family suburb north of Pensacola Bay.
Milton	Historic county seat on the Blackwater River; near Whiting Field.
Navarre Beach	Sugar-white Gulf barrier-island beach.

Economy & Major Employers

Santa Rosa County School District
NAS Whiting Field (U.S. Navy)
Santa Rosa Medical Center
Gulf Power / NextEra
Santa Rosa County government
Navarre Beach tourism

NAS Whiting Field in Milton is one of the Navy's busiest training airfields; many residents commute to Eglin and NAS Pensacola.

A deep, diversified employer base is what underpins housing demand through national cycles. Talk to a local Santa Rosa County agent →

Most Popular Communities

The master-planned, golf, waterfront, luxury, and 55+ communities buyers ask about most in Santa Rosa County.

Master-planned	Holley by the Sea (Navarre), Tiger Point (Gulf Breeze), Stonebrook Village, Avalon Beach, Pace-area new construction
Golf	Tiger Point Golf Club, The Moors, Stonebrook
Waterfront	Navarre Beach, Santa Rosa Sound, East Bay, Blackwater River
Luxury	Gulf Breeze peninsula / Sound-front, Navarre Beach Gulf-front, Holley by the Sea
55+ / active adult	select active-adult sections; demand is military-and-family driven

Lifestyle in Santa Rosa County

Santa Rosa offers the Emerald Coast's quieter side: Navarre Beach's uncrowded sugar-white sand and the longest fishing pier in the Gulf, the Blackwater River's clear paddling and Blackwater River State Forest, Gulf Breeze's family neighborhoods on the Sound, and Whiting Field's aviation heritage. It pairs top schools with affordable inland living and a laid-back beach scene.

Risks to Weigh

Santa Rosa's risks are Gulf hurricane and storm surge on Navarre Beach and the Sound (the western Panhandle has taken major storms), rising coastal insurance, and fast-growth strain in Pace and Milton. The inland family communities carry lower surge risk and the best value, with the military providing demand stability.

Santa Rosa County Communities

Browse every Santa Rosa County community on our interactive map, sortable by price, schools, and commute.

Explore Santa Rosa County on the map →

Santa Rosa County Real Estate FAQ

What is the median home price in Santa Rosa County?

The typical Santa Rosa County home is worth about $351K as of April 2026 (Zillow ZHVI), +0.1% over the past year. The median list price is similar; individual neighborhoods range widely around that figure.

Is Santa Rosa County a buyer's or seller's market?

As of April 2026, Santa Rosa County is a balanced market. Homes are taking a median of 55 days to sell, and inventory has rebuilt from its lows, giving buyers more room to negotiate than in recent years.

Is Santa Rosa County expensive?

Santa Rosa County's price-to-income ratio is about 3.9×, which is below the typical Florida county. The bigger cost surprises for newcomers are property insurance and, in newer communities, CDD fees — not the sticker price.

What is the average rent in Santa Rosa County?

The median rent is about $1,996 a month (Zillow ZORI). Against the typical home value, that is a gross rental yield near 6.8%.

Are property taxes high in Santa Rosa County?

The typical millage is about 12.806 mills, or roughly 1.28% of taxable value before exemptions. Florida's $50,000 homestead exemption and the Save Our Homes 3% assessment cap meaningfully lower the bill for owner-occupants.

How much is homeowners insurance in Santa Rosa County?

The Citizens county-average premium is about $2,444 a year, but your actual cost depends heavily on the home's age, roof, construction, and flood zone. Wind-mitigation credits can lower it; flood insurance is priced separately by address.

Is Santa Rosa County a good place to invest in real estate?

Steady military-tenant demand plus Navarre Beach vacation appeal make Santa Rosa a solid Emerald Coast rental market.

Is Santa Rosa County growing?

Santa Rosa County has about 193,719 residents and is still drawing net in-migration of people and income. Migration and jobs are the forces most likely to support prices through the rate cycle.

How long do homes take to sell in Santa Rosa County?

A median of about 55 days on market as of April 2026, longer than the 2021-2022 frenzy and a sign of today's more balanced conditions.

What are the best areas to live in Santa Rosa County?

The county seat, Milton, anchors the market, and the right area depends on whether you prioritize schools, commute, the water, or new construction. Our neighborhood guides map each on price, schools, and lifestyle.

What is the price per square foot in Santa Rosa County?

Listings in Santa Rosa County are priced around the area's median per-square-foot rate as of April 2026; smaller, older, and inland homes run below it, while new construction and waterfront run above. Per-square-foot is most useful within a single neighborhood, not across the whole county.

How much income do I need to buy a home in Santa Rosa County?

As a rough rule, a buyer needs household income roughly in line with the county's price-to-income ratio of 3.9× the home price, keeping total housing costs near 30% of income. Median household income here is $88,968. A lender pre-approval gives you the exact figure for your situation.

Is now a good time to buy in Santa Rosa County?

It depends on your horizon. For buyers planning to stay several years, today's balanced market conditions — more inventory and routine price cuts — offer better terms than the 2021-2022 peak. For short-term flips, flat appreciation makes the math tight. The right answer is specific to the home and your timeline.

Do I need flood insurance in Santa Rosa County?

It depends on the address. Homes in FEMA high-risk flood zones (A or V) typically require flood insurance with a federally backed mortgage, and even outside those zones it can be worth carrying in low-lying or coastal parts of Santa Rosa County. Flood premiums are priced separately by address under FEMA Risk Rating 2.0, so always check the flood zone before you buy.

Is Santa Rosa County a good place to retire?

Florida's lack of a state income tax and the homestead/Save Our Homes protections make Santa Rosa County attractive for retirees on a fixed income, especially in its 55+ and lower-maintenance communities. Weigh that against insurance costs and proximity to healthcare when you choose a specific area.

How fast are home prices rising in Santa Rosa County?

Over the past year, the typical Santa Rosa County home value moved +0.1%. Over five years it is +5.0% and over ten years +7.0% — so the long-run trend is up even though near-term growth has cooled.

What is the cost of living in Santa Rosa County?

Housing, insurance, and property tax are the main local cost drivers; Florida charges no state income tax. A median-priced home runs about $2,536 a month all-in (mortgage, tax, and insurance), against median household income of $88,968 a year. Utilities, transportation, and healthcare track close to state averages.

What are the risks of buying in Santa Rosa County?

The main ones are hurricane and flood exposure (which drive insurance costs), rising premiums statewide, and — in fast-growing submarkets — overbuilding that can soften resale and rents. On older condos, ask about reserves and special assessments. None are dealbreakers, but all belong in your budget before you offer.

Is Santa Rosa County good for real estate investors?

Santa Rosa County's estimated cap rate is about 6.8% with a gross yield near 6.8%, so it leans cash-flow-friendly. Net migration and the local job base are the demand signals that matter most for landlords here.

What counties are near Santa Rosa County?

See the 'Explore more' section on this page for direct links to the neighboring county market reports, plus the full set of scorecards for all 67 Florida counties.

Has inventory in Santa Rosa County gone up?

Yes — active listings are -7.9% versus a year ago. That rebuild from pandemic-era lows is the single biggest reason buyers have more leverage now than they did in 2021-2022.

Why do military families choose Gulf Breeze and Pace?

Santa Rosa County has the top-rated schools in the Pensacola metro — Gulf Breeze High especially — which draws military families stationed at Eglin, NAS Pensacola, and Whiting Field. Gulf Breeze commands a premium for its schools and peninsula setting; Pace and Milton offer the same strong district at more affordable prices with a bit more commute.

More Northwest Florida Counties

Escambia · Okaloosa · Walton · Bay · Holmes · Washington · Jackson · Calhoun · Liberty · Gulf

Go deeper on Santa Rosa County: Santa Rosa property taxes · market scorecard (0–100) · cash offer & sell fast · search homes for sale

Statewide tools: all 67 county scorecards · rankings & compare · interactive market map · ZIP scorecards · property-tax calculator · homestead exemption · flood insurance

Talk to a Local Expert

Your move in Santa Rosa County starts with a real person.

Buying, selling, or investing — tell us what you're working on and a Santa Rosa County specialist follows up within one business day with real comps, the off-market list, and representation that's yours.