One is known for its legendary beaches and nightlife, the other for being the Manhattan of the South. But what’s it like to live these two famous Miami neighborhoods? Should you live in Brickell or South Beach? If you’re considering a move to Miami or the South Florida area, and want to know more about the basic differences between living in Brickell vs South Beach (SoBe), here’s our exclusive Insider review of these two iconic Miami neighborhoods to help you decide.

— Lifestyle Differences Between South Beach and Brickell

South Pointe - South Beach

Of course, there is going to be some differences between these two neighborhoods, despite being less about 6 miles away from each other. The Brickell lifestyle is definitely more urban and corporate-chic compared to the laid-back beachy lifestyle of South Beach. Living in Brickell, like any metropolitan and financial district in a big U.S. city, you’ll see your fair share of Miami’s best-dressed professionals darting back and forth between posh offices and elegant eating establishments, while many South Beach residents are making their way to work on electric scooters and bikes after yoga at 10 a.m.

Icon Brickell I, II, III - Brickell (Miami), FL

The Brickell district is also more dense and crowded than South Beach. And, while both neighborhoods attract residents and tourists, South Beach is definitely a worldwide tourist destination, and is known as the liveliest part of Miami Beach. Still, many snowbirds from northern regions spend their winters in SoBe. So it can have a more seasonal feel to it than Brickell, which is alive and bustling all year round. 

— Nature & Beaches in South Beach vs Brickell

Lummus Park - South Beach, FL

South Beach is the southernmost neighborhood of Miami Beach, an island strip world renowned for its soft, sandy beaches and the beautiful crystal waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Here, residents and visitors alike have easy access to miles of swimmable beaches along the coastline just blocks from their homes, including tourists’ favorite Lummus Park Beach, and the hidden gem, loved by locals, South Pointe Beach.

Brickell, on the other hand, is located in the heart of mainland Miami. And while it overlooks Biscayne Bay and there are plenty of gorgeous water views of Biscayne Bay, there are actually no accessible swimmable beaches in the area. Most residents drive 10-15 minutes to Key Biscayne to enjoy stunning beaches at locations like Crandon Park, or they make the 20-minute trip to South Beach.

Crandon Park - Key Biscayne (Miami), FL

In terms of parks and other accessible nature, South Beach probably wins in this category as well. Being less dense, it has more parks, with the most popular being the 17-acre South Pointe Park, Flamingo Park (with many sporting options like tennis, baseball, a swimming complex, basketball and racquetball courts), the beachfront Lummus Park (where you will find Muscle Beach and volleyball courts), and Collins Park next to the Bass Museum. There are more smaller parks spread out around South Beach as well, including the breathtaking greenery of the delightful Miami Beach Botanical Garden. 

Brickell also has similar smaller parks that are well frequented by urban joggers and dog lovers, with some of the most important being Simpson Park and Alice Wainwright Park. 

— Brickell and South Beach Architecture

South Beach is easily identifiable for its famous Art Deco architecture. The pastel-colored buildings with neon signs dating back to the 1930s and '40s create a vintage vibe that attracts tourists from all over the world, particularly along Ocean Drive. It’s a visually distinct neighborhood, with small boutiques and mid-century hotels transporting you back to another era.

Continnum Residences

While a lot of its residential buildings are mid- to low-rises or bungalows, South Beach does host some new, modern high-rises, mostly with waterfront beach or bay access and expansive ocean or bay views, such as the anticipated Five Park, the recently completed Monad Terrace, or the high-end Continuum Residences, which ranks high among the five most exclusive buildings in South Beach.

Santa Maria - Brickell (Miami), FL

Brickell, on the other hand, has a skyline dominated by towering high-rises hosting luxury condos, hotels and plenty of office space. And it’s in the middle of another luxury renaissance. At least a dozen new ultra-luxury projects are in development here, with at least another dozen investor-focused or boutique projects are also under construction. Its north end is marked by the newest pre-constructions like Baccarat Residences and the Viceroy Brickell; mid-Brickell you’ll  888 Brickell by Dolce & Gabbana, Mercedes-Benz Places, The Residences at 1428 Brickell or Cipriani Residences. Meanwhile, in its southern end, you’ll find older Mary Brickell-era mansions and long-standing luxury condos like the Santa Maria, which is part of our list of the five most luxurious buildings in Brickell, as well as ultra-luxury waterfront new construction such at the St. Regis Residences Miami and Una Brickell. 

Interested in some of these buildings?

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— Walkability in Brickell vs South Beach 

Both neighborhoods are very walkable, with easy access to plenty of restaurants, shops, movie theaters, and art galleries, even though the ambiance is very different. Brickell offers a much more compact, urban, cosmopolitan vibe with its tall modern buildings, offices, and international corporations, and therefore could be seen as a winner, especially if you also count public transportation options.

Mimo Architecture, Lincoln Road Mall. Photo courtesy of Phillip Pessar

Meanwhile, South Beach has a more quaint seaside feel, with smaller shops and boutiques, sunnier streets, as well as more parks and green spaces, beaches with walkable promenades, and shopping and dining along the pedestrian only Lincoln Road, which stretches almost 10 blocks. 

Essentially, both neighborhoods are excellent options for those who like to walk or are coming from other highly walkable cities or European countries where biking and walking are part of your everyday life.

Metro Mover. Photo courtesy of Han Zheng

Both neighborhoods provide a free trolley system for pedestrians who want to catch a break while walking. And Brickell has the free Metromover system to take you all around and into Downtown, connecting you to the Brightline high-speed rail system. From here you can go all the way to Orlando. All in all, in either neighborhood, you can leave your car parked and enjoy an active lifestyle on your feet!

— Cultural Offerings and World-Class Events

In this category, South Beach has a leg up over Brickell. It is home to the New World Symphony, the Miami City Ballet, the Bass Museum, and the Miami Beach Convention Center, which hosts an array of themed trade shows and fairs, as well as world-class art events, like Art Basel every December.

Art Basel, South Beach. Photo courtesy of Art Basel

Besides this, the Miami Beach neighborhood also hosts the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, Miami Swim Week, the Miami International Boat Show, and other major events. Finally, you can find many art galleries, open-air concerts, and an art-house cinema in SoBe with regular ongoing public cultural events as part of the local lifestyle.

Wynwood Marketplace. Photo courtesy of Paul Sableman.

In contrast, Brickell is more of a business and financial hub, known for its banking, dining and bar scene, its nightclubs with live entertainment, the art exhibited in the lobby of modern high-rises, and the private cultural events hosted as part of the luxury condo lifestyle for residents and their guests. There are some options for live music, and a few art galleries, but if you want major cultural events, you’ll need to venture out of Brickell.

Most of Miami’s cultural offerings are in Downtown Miami and Wynwood, both of which are either a long walk or a short drive away from Brickell.

— World-Class Amenities: Brickell vs South Beach

South Beach, being a more established neighborhood, offers many public amenities, like Flamingo Park’s facilities and Lummus Park’s beachside open-air gym. Residents can enjoy public pools, tennis courts, and outdoor fitness areas—making this one of the fittest areas in all of Miami. However, if you enjoy boating and yachting, South Beach has many top marinas, as well as many condos with boat slips. You won’t be able to find nearly as many options to keep your boat in Brickell.

South Beach Fitness Clubs in Miami With Pilates and Yoga Classes. Photo courtesy of Equinox

If you are looking for spa treatments, yoga and boutique gyms, you won’t be disappointed in South Beach. There is an Equinox Gym here as well. 

Rendering of the Private Marina at UNA - Brickell (Miami), FL

Brickell, on the other hand, boasts a more private, luxury lifestyle with luxury amenities built into its condo developments. Most residents have access to state-of-the-art gyms, rooftop pools, spas, private theaters, and even some with private restaurants or memberships. Some Miami pre-constructions boast their own padel and pickleball courts within their buildings. If you do have a boat and absolutely want to be in Brickell, there are new condos with private marinas in development to address this. Is evident Brickell’s amenities are often more exclusive, creating a resort-style living environment.

— Cost of Living Differences in Brickell vs South Beach

In the Brickell vs South Beach cost comparison, the cost of owning is much lower in Brickell than in South Beach. For example, as of October 2024, Brickell’s average listing price was around $560,000 (typically for a one bedroom), with a price per square foot of $432, while South Beach’s was around $830,000, with the average price per square foot around $575. 

For more updated pricing information check out our specialized search engine when looking for Brickell condos for sale or South Beach condos for sale. 

As you can see, modern luxury condos in Brickell generally cost less per square foot than their counterparts in South Beach, saving potential homeowners on the purchase price and some maintenance costs because Brickell is newer. Some of the newer waterfront condos on Brickell cost as much as 50% less than comparable units in South Beach for the same amount of amenities, however you are compromising in nature and access to the beaches. 

— Who Wins in the Brickell vs South Beach Comparison?

We hope this comparison has helped clarify the key differences between Brickell vs South Beach. The winning neighborhood really comes down to a personal decision of what you are looking for and needing for your lifestyle. Whether you’re drawn to the urban feel of Brickell or the beachy vibes of South Beach, our team of expert real estate agents is here to guide you in making the best decision for your Miami lifestyle. Reach out to us via email, phone, or text to continue the conversation!