Living in Coconut Creek, Florida
The Butterfly Capital: parks, planned communities, and some of Broward's lowest-priced suburb living
Coconut Creek, FL: Quick Facts
Updated September 2026What is the median home price in Coconut Creek?
The median sale price was $289,842 for all home types as of June 2026 (Redfin, down 11.1% year over year), the lowest among the Broward towns on this site.
Why is Coconut Creek called the Butterfly Capital?
The city earned the nickname for its garden-style landscaping and for Butterfly World, the butterfly park and gardens at its northern edge.
What are property taxes like in Coconut Creek?
The city's median effective rate is about 1.38% (Ownwell, March 2025), with its municipal millage set at 6.8988 mills for fiscal 2025-26 (City of Coconut Creek).
Is Coconut Creek expensive?
No, by South Florida standards. The June 2026 median of $289,842 (Redfin) is the lowest among this guide's Broward towns, and Florida has no state personal income tax.
How do residents get back to New Jersey?
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) is about 30 to 40 minutes east and Palm Beach International (PBI) about 35 to 45 minutes north via the Sawgrass Expressway and Turnpike, both with NJ flights.
The Welcome
A Welcome to Life in Coconut Creek
Living in Coconut Creek means trading the New Jersey commute for a town that nicknamed itself the Butterfly Capital: garden-style communities, county parks with camping and mountain biking, and the subtropical plantings around Butterfly World setting a green tone for the whole city. It is the value pick among the western Broward towns on this site, and the numbers back that up.
The median sale price was $289,842 for all home types as of June 2026 (Redfin, June 2026), down 11.1% year over year, the lowest median among the Broward destinations in this guide. That price point, combined with Florida's lack of a state personal income tax, makes Coconut Creek one of the easiest entries into South Florida homeownership on this site.
The NJ adjustment here is about getting more for less: newer construction, quieter streets, and county resources like Quiet Waters Park as the backyard, in exchange for a longer drive to the beach and the airport. Taxes, insurance, and costs are all covered with sourced figures below.
Key Numbers for Coconut Creek
Median Sale Price
$289,842
All home types (Redfin, June 2026)
Property Taxes
~1.38%
Coconut Creek median effective rate (Ownwell, 2025)
State Income Tax
0%
Florida has no state personal income tax
Big Backyard
Quiet Waters Park
Camping, trails, mountain biking
Every figure above carries a named source and as-of date. See the Data Sources list at the bottom of this page.
Where You Could Live
Neighborhoods and Areas in Coconut Creek
Coconut Creek is a city of planned neighborhoods divided by the major roads that cross it. The character shifts from the northern park-and-garden sections to the denser southern edge along the county line.
The Northern Sections (near the parks)
The neighborhoods closest to Quiet Waters Park and the city's green space, with the garden character that earned the Butterfly Capital nickname. Weekend recreation is literally next door.
The Central Residential Sections
The classic Coconut Creek neighborhoods along Coconut Creek Parkway: single-family homes in established communities with mature landscaping and the city's lakes and canals in between.
The Western Communities (near State Road 7)
Newer planned communities plus the commercial strip along State Road 7, where the everyday errands, dining, and the redevelopment energy of the city are concentrated.
The Southern Edge (bordering Margate)
The denser southern sections share their commercial corridors with Margate along Lyons Road and Sample Road, giving quick access to the region's shopping while staying inside Coconut Creek's city services.
A Week in the Life
Daily Life in Coconut Creek
Coconut Creek's week runs on its parks and its planned communities: quiet mornings on the lakefront streets, afternoons at the county parks, and evenings split between the strip-mall dining of the commercial corridors and the community clubhouses.
Parks & the Outdoors
Quiet Waters Park, the Broward County park at the city's northern edge, is the outdoor anchor with camping, mountain biking, water sports, and the event space that hosts the county's festivals. The city's own parks and the garden areas around Butterfly World keep the green theme going through the neighborhoods.
On the Water
Coconut Creek is inland, so the water life means the community lakes and canals that thread through the planned neighborhoods, plus the water activities at Quiet Waters Park's lake. The Atlantic beaches are about 25 to 30 minutes east for the ocean side of the weekend.
Dining & Local Spots
The dining scene runs along the city's commercial corridors with a strong local and Caribbean accent. Neighborhood fixtures include La Padella Latina (lapadellalatinatogo.com), Valencia's Caribbean Fusion (valenciascaribbeanfusion.com), Marthabrae Jamaican Restaurant (marthabrae.com), and Lester's Diner (lestersdiner.com) on the county line.
Shopping
The Promenade at Coconut Creek, the open-air shopping center along Lyons Road, anchors the retail side alongside the State Road 7 commercial strip, with Sawgrass Mills, the region's outlet center, a short drive south.
Events & Community Life
The city's event calendar centers on the parks and the Promenade: seasonal festivals at Quiet Waters Park, community programming at the recreation centers, and the family-oriented gatherings that the planned communities host through the year.
Getting Around
Getting Around, and Getting Back to New Jersey
By Air
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is approximately 30 to 40 minutes east and Palm Beach International (PBI) is about 35 to 45 minutes north via the Sawgrass Expressway and Florida Turnpike, both with direct service to the New York area airports.
On the Road
The Sawgrass Expressway and the Florida Turnpike put the region's airports and downtowns within reach, with Lyons Road and Coconut Creek Parkway carrying the local traffic. Driving to Bergen County is approximately 10 to 11 hours.
Transit
Tri-Rail service is accessible from stations to the south along the corridor toward Fort Lauderdale, connecting to the regional airports. Daily life in Coconut Creek is car-based.
The Numbers
Cost of Living: NJ vs. Coconut Creek
Coconut Creek is the affordability story of western Broward: the June 2026 median sale price of $289,842 (Redfin) is the lowest on this site's Broward list. Florida has no state personal income tax, and the city's median effective property tax rate is about 1.38% (Ownwell, March 2025).
Housing Overview
The $289,842 June 2026 median (Redfin, down 11.1% year over year) reflects a market of established single-family homes, garden-style condominiums, and townhomes in the planned communities. It is the most accessible entry point into South Florida ownership among the towns in this guide.
Utilities
Florida Power & Light (FPL) is the dominant electric utility and air conditioning drives summer bills. Water and sewer come through the regional utility. HOA fees are common in the planned communities and cover the clubhouses and common grounds.
Insurance Considerations in Coconut Creek
Florida insurance pricing is moving in different directions depending on policy type and region. Ask a licensed Florida insurance agent what applies to the specific property you are considering. Published regional averages put Florida's average annual homeowners premium at $8,292 in 2025, the highest of any state and up 18% from 2024, against a U.S. average of about $2,948 at the end of 2025 (Insurify's Insuring the American Homeowner Report, March 2026). The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and the Insurance Information Institute, as reported in May 2026, dispute headline figures like that and cite a state average of about $3,815 a year for a standard policy that includes wind (USA TODAY Network-Florida, May 4, 2026). Coconut Creek's inland location generally sits outside the coastal wind bands, with flood considerations varying by proximity to the lakes and canals.
Consult your carrier or licensed Florida insurance agent for current rates and coverage options.
Florida insurance pricing is moving in different directions depending on policy type and region. Ask a licensed Florida insurance agent what applies to the specific property you are considering.
Property Taxes in Coconut Creek
Coconut Creek's median effective property tax rate is about 1.38% (Ownwell, March 2025, median home value $274,700), while the city's own municipal millage for fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 is 6.8988 mills (City of Coconut Creek). Broward County's effective rates run roughly 0.94% to 1.44% by district (Broward Property Search, April 2026). Homesteaded properties receive the Florida Homestead Exemption (up to $50,000 of taxable value) and the Save Our Homes cap on annual assessment increases (3%). Property tax figures are informational only and are not a promise of savings; consult a licensed CPA or Florida tax attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Bergen County, NJ (context)
~2.3%
Effective rate used across this site for comparison. On a $600,000 home: ~$13,800/year.
Coconut Creek / Broward County, FL
~1.38%
Coconut Creek median effective rate of home value (Ownwell, March 2025).
Florida has no state personal income tax. Homesteaded properties receive the Florida Homestead Exemption (up to $50,000 of taxable value) and the Save Our Homes cap on annual assessed value increases (3%). Property tax content is informational only and is not a promise of savings; consult a licensed CPA or Florida tax attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Schools & Education
Public schools in Coconut Creek are part of Broward County Public Schools. The following is a factual list of schools with no ratings or rankings.
- Coconut Creek High School: a public high school located in Coconut Creek (Broward County Public Schools)
- Public elementary and middle schools are located throughout the city within Broward County Public Schools
- North Broward Preparatory School is a private school located in Coconut Creek
Your Coconut Creek Relocation Playbook
Moving from New Jersey to Coconut Creek follows the same path as any NJ-to-FL move: research and budgeting first, then property selection, financing, the sale of your NJ home, and the final transition. The full NJ to FL Relocation Checklist walks through every step from 12 months out to after the move.
The Southbound Advisory Council Approach
Scott Selleck's Southbound Advisory Council is designed specifically for NJ-to-FL relocators. From your first conversation, you receive a structured timeline, vetted agent referrals in your destination market, and ongoing support through every phase of the move.
Questions About Living in Coconut Creek?
Coconut Creek is the value entry into western Broward, and the parks-and-gardens character gives it a personality most affordable suburbs skip. I can help you compare it against Coral Springs and Parkland.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coconut Creek
What is the median home price in Coconut Creek?
The median sale price was $289,842 for all home types as of June 2026 (Redfin, down 11.1% year over year), the lowest among the Broward towns on this site.
Why is Coconut Creek called the Butterfly Capital?
The city earned the nickname for its garden-style landscaping and for Butterfly World, the butterfly park and gardens at its northern edge.
What are property taxes like in Coconut Creek?
The city's median effective rate is about 1.38% (Ownwell, March 2025), with its municipal millage set at 6.8988 mills for fiscal 2025-26 (City of Coconut Creek).
Is Coconut Creek expensive?
No, by South Florida standards. The June 2026 median of $289,842 (Redfin) is the lowest among this guide's Broward towns, and Florida has no state personal income tax.
How do residents get back to New Jersey?
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) is about 30 to 40 minutes east and Palm Beach International (PBI) about 35 to 45 minutes north via the Sawgrass Expressway and Turnpike, both with NJ flights.
Data Sources
Every figure on this page carries a named source and as-of date. The list below is the full set of sources used on this page. Figures may change; always confirm current data at the source before making decisions.
- Redfin, Coconut Creek housing market data (median sale price $289,842 for all home types, June 2026, down 11.1% year over year), redfin.com
- Ownwell, Coconut Creek property tax profile (median effective rate ~1.38%, March 2025, median home value $274,700)
- City of Coconut Creek, Taxes and Finances in the City (municipal millage 6.8988 mills, fiscal year October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026)
- Broward Property Search, Broward County property tax rates, April 2026 (county effective rates ~0.94% to 1.44% by district)
- Insurify, Insuring the American Homeowner Report, March 2026 (Florida average homeowners premium $8,292 in 2025; U.S. average ~$2,948 at end of 2025)
- USA TODAY Network-Florida, May 4, 2026 (Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and Insurance Information Institute estimate ~$3,815 for a standard policy including wind)
This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed for fair housing compliance. School information is limited to district, school names, grade configuration, public or private status, and location. Figures are published averages or market data, not quotes.
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