Cost of Living in Hobe Sound: Housing, Insurance, Taxes and Everyday Expenses

The cost of living in Hobe Sound follows Martin County rules, not Palm Beach County rules, and that changes the math on taxes, insurance and utilities. Hobe Sound is an unincorporated community in southern Martin County, just north of Jupiter and Tequesta. It sits between Jonathan Dickinson State Park, the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge and the separate Town of Jupiter Island. Because it is not a city, there is no city tax rate. This guide covers home prices, property taxes, insurance, utilities and two sample monthly budgets for owners.

Key takeaways

• According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, the Hobe Sound area has 223 active listings with a median list price of $549,250 and a median asking rent of $2,550.
• For 2025, the Martin County Property Appraiser lists total rates of about 15.75 to 15.96 mills for unincorporated districts. Hobe Sound pays no city millage.
• The state's July 2026 data put the average Martin County homeowners premium at $5,899 a year, a bit below Palm Beach County's $6,323.
• South Martin Regional Utility supplies water and wastewater service to Hobe Sound, and FPL supplies electricity.
• On a $550,000 home with 20% down, our sample budget comes to about $4,220 a month before water, HOA dues and upkeep.

Cost of living in Hobe Sound at a glance

Hobe Sound keeps a small-town feel. Most of its land around the edges is preserve or park, so growth has stayed limited. Homes range from older single-family streets near Federal Highway to gated golf communities and villas. Across the Intracoastal, Jupiter Island is its own town with its own tax rate and far higher prices, so do not mix the two when you compare numbers.

The everyday budget looks a lot like the rest of the Treasure Coast. Groceries and errands are close by along U.S. 1, while bigger shopping trips go to Jupiter, Tequesta or Stuart. Florida has no personal income tax, and Martin County's sales tax is 6.5% in 2026.

Housing still drives most of the cost. So the sections below focus on what you will pay to buy, hold and insure a home here.

Home prices and the cost of living in Hobe Sound

According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, the Hobe Sound area has 223 active residential listings. The median list price is $549,250, and the median asking price per square foot is $303. These are asking prices for condos and houses together, not sale prices.

Active listings have been on the market an average of 142 days. That figure tracks how long today's listings have waited, not how fast homes sell. Still, it is longer than in most of our coverage area, which can give buyers time to negotiate.

For sale prices, use the county view. In August 2026, Martin County single-family homes had a median sale price of $656,900, up 12.8% from a year earlier, according to Miami Realtors. Condos and townhouses had a median of $277,500. Cash buyers made up 40.5% of closed sales, so many buyers here skip the mortgage line entirely.

Renting in Hobe Sound

The MLS data shows 85 active rentals with a median asking rent of $2,550 a month. With so few rentals, choices can be thin in season. See current homes and rentals on our Hobe Sound area page.

Martin County property taxes in Hobe Sound

Since Hobe Sound is unincorporated, you pay Martin County, school and special district taxes, but no city tax. The Martin County Property Appraiser's 2025 millage table shows total rates for the five unincorporated districts between 15.7549 and 15.9610 mills. In plain terms, that is about $15.75 to $15.96 per $1,000 of taxable value.

For comparison, real property in the Town of Jupiter Island carried 16.3525 mills in 2025, and the City of Stuart carried 17.3883. So Hobe Sound's rate is lower than nearby cities. Check the millage code on the parcel record, though, since districts differ slightly.

This guide uses 2025 rates because they are the latest final rates we could confirm. Your TRIM notice, mailed each August, shows the proposed 2026 rate for your parcel, and your November tax bill shows the adopted rate.

Homestead and the Save Our Homes cap

Full-time residents can apply for homestead by March 1 through the Martin County Property Appraiser. It can take up to $50,000 off your taxable value, and the second $25,000 does not apply to school taxes. Then Save Our Homes caps yearly increases in assessed value at 3% or the CPI change, whichever is lower, under section 193.155.

A seller's low tax bill will not carry over to you. After a sale, the assessed value resets to market value on the next Jan. 1. So budget from the price you pay, not from the seller's current bill.

Insurance and the cost of living in Hobe Sound

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation's July 2026 report put the average Martin County premium at $5,899 a year, down 1.6% since January. Palm Beach County averaged $6,323, as WFLX reported. Statewide, the admitted-market average was $3,736, according to Florida Realtors.

Age and features of the home matter more than any average. Citizens requires a four-point inspection for homes more than 20 years old. It also asks for proof of remaining roof life on older shingle and tile roofs.

Wind protection can bring the premium down. Impact windows, shutters and roof straps may qualify for discounts once a wind mitigation inspection documents them. Read our guide to insuring an older Florida home for more.

Flood zones near the water

Homes near the Intracoastal and low-lying streets may need flood coverage. Before you write an offer, check the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask for a flood quote.

HOA fees and club costs

Golf and club communities make up a big part of the Hobe Sound market. Each has its own HOA, rules and, in many cases, separate club dues or an initiation fee. Some clubs require membership with the home, while others make it optional.

Because of that range, we do not quote a typical HOA or club fee. Ask for the HOA budget, the club's fee schedule and any planned assessments before you sign. Older single-family streets outside these communities often have no HOA at all, which can lower the monthly cost.

Utilities and everyday expenses

South Martin Regional Utility serves Hobe Sound and the Town of Jupiter Island. It supplies drinking water, wastewater treatment and reclaimed water. Some properties in the wider area may use private wells or septic, so confirm the setup and ask for recent bills.

FPL provides electricity. Its typical 1,000 kWh residential bill is $136.64 a month in 2026, according to FPL. Pools and summer cooling push many bills higher.

On taxes, Florida does not impose a personal income tax, per the Department of Revenue. Martin County's total sales tax fell to 6.5% in 2026 after a 0.5% school surtax expired at the end of 2025.

Sample budgets for the cost of living in Hobe Sound

These budgets assume 20% down and a 30-year fixed loan at 7.03%, Freddie Mac's average for the week of Sept. 24, 2026. For taxes, we use about 15.78 mills and subtract the full $50,000 homestead. That shortcut slightly understates the school portion, so treat the tax line as a floor.

A $550,000 single-family home

• Principal and interest on a $440,000 loan: about $2,936 a month.
• Property tax with homestead: about $658 a month.
• Insurance at the Martin County average: about $492 a month.
• Electricity at FPL's typical bill: about $137 a month.

That totals about $4,223 a month before water, sewer, any HOA or club dues and upkeep. Without homestead, as for a second home, the tax line rises to about $723 a month.

A $350,000 villa or condo

• Principal and interest on a $280,000 loan: about $1,868 a month.
• Property tax with homestead: about $394 a month.
• Electricity: about $137 a month.
• Insurance: your HO-6 or HO-3 quote.
• Association dues: the community's current figure.

The known lines total about $2,399 a month. Then add dues and insurance. For a cash buyer, drop the loan line and the monthly cost falls to taxes, dues, insurance and utilities.

Ways to lower the cost of living in Hobe Sound

Small choices up front can save a lot each year. Here is what we tell buyers.

1. Get insurance and flood quotes during your inspection period.
2. Ask for the roof age and any wind mitigation report.
3. Compare HOA and club costs, including any initiation fee.
4. Confirm water and sewer service for the exact address.
5. File for homestead by March 1 if you live here full time.

For a wider look at the area, see our guide to the cost of living in South Florida.

Frequently asked questions

Is the cost of living in Hobe Sound lower than in Jupiter?

Home prices are lower. As of October 1, 2026, the median list price is $549,250 in the Hobe Sound area and $859,495 in Jupiter. Insurance averages are also a bit lower in Martin County.

Is Hobe Sound in Palm Beach County?

No. Hobe Sound is an unincorporated community in Martin County. Taxes, permits and the Property Appraiser are all handled at the Martin County level.

What is the property tax rate in Hobe Sound?

For 2025, unincorporated Martin County districts ranged from about 15.75 to 15.96 mills. There is no city tax because Hobe Sound is not a city.

Who supplies water in Hobe Sound?

South Martin Regional Utility serves Hobe Sound and Jupiter Island with water, wastewater and reclaimed water. Some properties may use wells or septic.

What does the cost of living in Hobe Sound look like for renters?

The median asking rent for active rentals was $2,550 a month as of October 1, 2026, based on Pure Equity's MLS data. Choices are limited, so start early.

Sources

• Pure Equity, Hobe Sound market data (as of October 1, 2026)
• Miami Realtors, Martin County August 2026 report
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
• Martin County Property Appraiser, 2025 millage codes and tax rates
• Martin County Property Appraiser, homestead FAQs
• Florida Statutes, s. 193.155
• WFLX, state data on home insurance premiums by county
• Florida Realtors, home insurance rate cuts (September 2026)
• Citizens Property Insurance, inspections
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• South Martin Regional Utility, about us
• FPL, 2026 rate agreement and typical bill
• Florida Department of Revenue, 2026 discretionary sales surtax rates
• Florida Department of Revenue, tax information for new residents
• Freddie Mac, Primary Mortgage Market Survey
• U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Hobe Sound CDP (2020 Census)
• Town of Jupiter Island, community profile

This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Tax rates, fees and insurance prices change, so confirm your own numbers with the Martin County Property Appraiser, an insurance agent, your lender or a licensed tax professional.

Own a home in Hobe Sound? With fewer listings than most towns, a well-priced home stands out. Start with a free home valuation from Pure Equity. Planning a move here instead? Request a free relocation consultation for Hobe Sound, and our agents will estimate taxes, insurance and club costs on each home you like. Contact our team.