Cost of Living in Orlando

Are you considering moving to Orlando and would like to learn more about the cost of living in Orlando? Check out these factors that affect the cost of living, like housing, utilities, transportation, and more.

Orlando is one of the biggest tourist cities in the United States. It is home to dozens of theme parks and attractions, the biggest one being Disney World. Living in Orlando grants you access to a multitude of things to do with your friends and family. Over 130 people are moving to Orlando every single day for its greatness.

You may be thinking that Orlando's cost of living is beyond expensive compared to other major cities like it, but that is not the complete truth. You are correct in the fact that Orlando is more costly when it comes to the cost of living compared to the national average. However, it is significantly cheaper if you compare Orlando to other more significant areas, like San Francisco.

As you read through this guide, we will walk you through all the important necessities that you are inevitably going to pay for while living in Orlando. 

Here are the different factors of the cost of living in Orlando.

Overall Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Orlando is 5 percent higher than the national average. The cost of living is higher in Orlando because of its economy and everything in the area. Not only are you paying to live in Orlando, but you are paying to live in a good location with an abundance of attractions, restaurants, resorts, and more.

There are many factors that go into deciding what the total cost of living in a city is. Orlando is higher than the national average, that is because most other things in the city are more expensive than the average price. These factors consist of the cost of housing and rent, utilities, groceries, healthcare, transportation, and more.

Here is how the overall cost of living in Orlando compares to other similar significant cities.

• Orlando is 41.4 percent cheaper than San Francisco
• Orlando is 54 percent cheaper than New York City
• Orlando is 14.2 percent cheaper than Fort Lauderdale

Housing 

Because of the influx of residents moving into Orlando on a daily basis, the housing market has been intense. The overall cost of housing in this city is 11 percent higher than the national average. The median home price for February 2023 was recorded at $358,000, which is around $8,000 more than January 2023.

The inventory has dropped in February compared to January from 6,115 homes on the market to 5,555. However, inventory this past February was 140 percent higher than the available inventory last February. Homes are starting to sit on the market for more days than in the past.

The competition for the housing market in Orlando is competitive for those who are looking for the average home. One thing buyers have to face when it comes to purchasing a home in Orlando is the interest rates. As seen from other areas around the country, interest rates have increased since last year. Right now, the interest rates are at 6.4 percent.

If you are interested in more details about the housing market, contact us today to get connected with a local Real Estate professional. Or, check out all the homes for sale currently. Whether you are looking for a single-family home, a townhome, or a luxury home, Orlando has it all. 

Utilities

Utility bills can be costly for some people and cheap for others. This is all determined by how much electricity, energy, and water you use in your home. Whether you own a home or rent, paying for utilities is necessary.

On average, the cost of utilities in Orlando is 7 percent cheaper than the national average. Florida utilities seem to stay below average because of the constant warm weather. It is cheaper in most areas to use air conditioning versus using heat.

On the other hand, the average water bill Orlando residents pay monthly is around $30. This also fluctuates with the amount of water you are using on a daily basis. People living in Florida tend to spend more on their water bills than in other states with cold weather. Using water to do extra activities like watering your plants, running a sprinkler system, filling a pool, etc., will automatically increase your water bill.

You are in charge of how much utilities you are using, which will determine how much your monthly bills will be.

Income

A comfortable salary to live off of in Orlando, Florida, differs for everyone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income was $58,968 annually in 2021. To live comfortably, the average person should make around $50,000 in Orlando.

However, you can still live comfortably whether you make less or more than the average. Depending on certain factors like your monthly rent or mortgage, how often you drive your car, what kind of groceries you buy, whether you love shopping, etc., all of these can affect what income allows you to live comfortably.

Some of the best-paying jobs in Orlando are Psychiatrists, Dentists, Financial Managers, Sales Engineers, Computer Systems Analysts, and more.

Food and Groceries

The average cost of groceries in Orlando is around 3 percent higher than the national average. Purchasing food is a necessity that every person has to do on a regular basis to survive and live healthily. It is essential to remember that one of the reasons for higher food is because the costs in Florida do not have a state income tax. They raise the price of things you have to buy in order to make up for lost revenue.

Here is an overview of the price for typically purchased groceries items.

• Loaf of Bread: $4.00
• A gallon of Milk: $2.50
• Carton of Eggs: $2.32
• Bunch of Bananas: $3.46

Food costs are more expensive in large touristy areas. The more expensive the food is, the more money they make from people who eat throughout the city. This is also the main reason for the high food prices throughout Disney World and Universal.

Transportation

Transportation impacts Orlando a ton because of the dense population with permanent residents and all the visitors. However, the expenses are around the same as the national average.

If your main transportation is by your personal vehicle, the average gas price for regular fuel is around $3.21, less than the state average of $3.59 per gallon.

As soon as you enter Orlando, you will see the abundance of cars and public transportation, especially near the major attractions. 

Throughout Orlando, there are a large variety of public transits for you to choose from. Here are a few of the more popular companies that the residents and visitors use daily.

• LYNX Bus Service: A bus service that provides transportation throughout Orlando, Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake Counties.
• LYMMO Downtown Circulator: A free bus rapid transit that runs every day of the week throughout downtown Orlando. 
• SunRail: A railroad service that runs Monday through Friday along a 49-mile route from DeBary to Poinciana. It has a total of four stations in Orlando.
• Brightline: An express train that provides services between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Palm Beach.

Taxes

When purchasing any goods or services, it comes with a tax price no matter what. The average combined 2023 sales tax rate for Orlando is 6.5 percent. This is a total of the state, county, and city sales tax rates. The state of Florida's sales tax rate is 6 percent. This combined tax rate is lower than the national average of around 7 percent or higher.

A big reason why tons of people move to Florida daily is that the state does not have income tax rates. This is great for the residents of Florida because they see more income on their paychecks than in other states where they have to pay taxes to the state every check. Although the cost of living in Orlando is higher than the average, the residents of Florida are earning more income on their paystubs.

Healthcare

Healthcare is an essential expense in everyone's life. Luckily for the residents of Orlando, the overall cost of healthcare is 8 percent lower than the national average. Here are some of the average prices for different types of healthcare visits.

On top of the affordable cost of healthcare, Orlando has one of the best hospitals located right within city limits. Orlando Regional Medical Center has been recognized as the Best Hospital and as a High Performing Hospital for 2020 - 2021 by U.S. News & World Report. 

Pros and Cons of Living in Orlando

Pros:

• Utilities are cheaper in Orlando than the national average
• Large inventory of homes to purchase
• Affordable healthcare costs
• Great healthcare systems located within city limits
• An abundance of public transportation that is affordable
• Low sales tax rates
• No state income tax

Cons:

• Higher cost of living compared to the national average, but lower than other major cities
• Expensive housing costs
• Higher than-average food costs
• Lots of traffic near downtown Orlando and close to any major attractions
• Densely populated city

FAQ

Is it expensive to live in Orlando?

For the most part, yes, the cost of living is higher in Orlando than compared to the national average. However, it is cheaper than a lot of other major cities. When living in Orlando, you are paying for everything Orlando offers, like its variety of attractions, restaurants, resorts, and more.

Is rent in Orlando expensive?

Overall, renting an apartment in Orlando is expensive. The average rent is $1,585, which ranks number 37 for the most expensive large city in America. However, it is essential to keep in mind that other factors determine how expensive your rent will be every month.

If you are looking for an apartment, or even to rent a home, in downtown Orlando, those will be more expensive than an apartment or house on the outskirts of Orlando. Other factors like the complex's amenities, size, layout, and more will also increase your monthly rent.

Is moving to Orlando a good idea?

Orlando has been ranked as one of the best places to live in the United States. Orlando is full of opportunities and things to do, with some of the most beautiful weather all year. Check out this guide on the important things to know before moving to Orlando, Florida.

What are the cheapest areas to live in Orlando?

Some of the more affordable and safe neighborhoods in Orlando are Audubon Park, Baldwin Park, College Park, Ventura, and more. If you'd like to learn more, you can check out this guide on the seven best neighborhoods in Orlando, Florida.

Do you need a car to live in Orlando and to get around?

No, you don't need to have a personal vehicle in Orlando. The city is not walkable because of its size, but there are many public transportation options throughout. 

Cost of Living in Orlando, Florida - Our Last Words

As you read through this guide, we hope it gave you a better understanding of the cost of living in Orlando, Florida. The city has so much to offer its residents and visitors, but it can be expensive for some. When relocating to Orlando, Florida, it is essential that you understand what to expect when it comes to finances. 

If this guide was helpful, you could check out our other guide on the cost of living in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Clearwater, and more.

If you are considering relocating to Orlando, Florida, please feel free to contact us today to get connected with a local Real Estate professional to help you better.