How Much Does It Cost to Live in Orlando, FL?
Quick Summary: The cost of living in Orlando is 4.5% lower than the national average, with savings in almost every major cost category. Use this guide to explore average living costs in Orlando and plan your budget for housing, groceries, healthcare, and other essentials.
Moving to Orlando? Whether you're moving for work, school, or the beautiful year-round weather that makes Florida a great place to move to, it's important to ask movers questions and understand the cost of living in Orlando before proceeding. We've broken down the costs of common expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and more so you can compare them to the national average and budget accordingly.
Cost of living data provided by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Orlando?
Orlando's cost of living is about 4.5% less expensive than the national average, making it relatively affordable to live here. Housing and healthcare offer the biggest savings, at 11.2% and 12% cheaper, respectively. Use the table below to compare Orlando's living expenses to the national averages!
Cost of Living Categories | Orlando's Cost of Living Compared to National Averages |
Housing | 11.2% lower |
Utilities | 2.3% higher |
Transportation | 1.9% lower |
Healthcare | 12% lower |
Goods & Services | 4.5% lower |
Cost of Housing in Orlando
Generally, home prices in Orlando are about 16.9% cheaper than the U.S. average, whereas rent prices are around 4.8% higher. However, the decision between buying vs. renting in Orlando will ultimately depend on your lifestyle and personal financial situation. Check out the cost comparison below!
Item | Average Price in Orlando | National Average Price |
Home Price | $431,323 | $518,961 |
Apartment Rent | $1,634 | $1,559 |
Cost of Utilities in Orlando (Monthly)
Orlando utilities are only slightly more expensive than the national average, with energy costing about 3% more and phone bills costing 1% more. See the table below for the cost of utilities in Orlando compared to the national average.
Item | Average Price in Orlando | National Average Price |
Energy | $213.80 | $207.40 |
Phone | $197.42 | $195.49 |
Cost of Groceries in Orlando
The cost of groceries in Orlando is about 4.8% higher than the national average, with products like steak and eggs costing a bit more, while items like milk and ground beef tend to be slightly cheaper. Below is a more detailed cost comparison for various groceries in Orlando to help you see how prices might affect your budget.
Item | Average Price in Orlando | National Average Price |
Steak | $15.63 | $15.52 |
Ground Beef | $7.02 | $7.04 |
Milk (½ Gallon) | $4.63 | $4.70 |
Eggs (Dozen) | $3.82 | $3.56 |
Bananas | $0.73 | $0.74 |
Bread | $4.36 | $3.95 |
Orange Juice | $4.62 | $4.50 |
Coffee | $5.60 | $5.57 |
Cost of Healthcare in Orlando
Healthcare costs in Orlando are generally less expensive than the U.S. average, making medical services—including visits to the doctor, dentist, and optometrist—more affordable. Prices for prescription medications also tend to be slightly lower. Refer to the table below for a closer look at the cost of healthcare in Orlando.
Item | Average Price in Orlando | National Average Price |
Doctor | $123.54 | $145.43 |
Dentist | $104.25 | $118.71 |
Optometrist | $97.39 | $131.82 |
Prescription Medication | $19.34 | $20.78 |
Cost of Transportation in Orlando
Even though gas prices in Orlando are slightly higher, total transportation costs remain below the U.S. average, partly due to lower prices for services like tire balancing. Learn more about Orlando's transportation costs below to estimate how much you'll need to spend on a monthly basis.
Item | Average Price in Orlando | National Average Price |
Gasoline (1 Gallon) | $3.29 | $3.24 |
Tire Balance | $56.56 | $62.82 |
Cost of Goods & Services in Orlando
Generally, the cost of goods and services in Orlando is around 4.5% less expensive than the national average. The price of common purchases like movie tickets and beauty salon visits are slightly above average, while others like haircuts and pizza are more affordable. Explore the costs of various goods and services in Orlando below.
Item | Average Price in Orlando | National Average Price |
Toothpaste | $4.13 | $4.10 |
Shampoo | $1.70 | $1.54 |
Ibuprofen | $11.05 | $11.08 |
Haircut | $20.00 | $26.24 |
Movie Ticket | $15.04 | $12.52 |
Beauty Salon | $54.40 | $49.12 |
Hamburger Stand | $5.69 | $5.67 |
Pizza | $11.28 | $12.36 |
Beer | $10.78 | $10.21 |
Wine | $11.48 | $11.79 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it expensive to live in Orlando?
With a cost of living 4.5% below the national average, living in Orlando is considered affordable compared to many U.S. cities. You might pay a little more for things like utilities and certain goods, but you'll save on other important expenses like housing and healthcare.
How much do you need to make to live in Orlando?
A comfortable living wage in Orlando depends on your household size and various lifestyle factors. A single working adult with no children typically needs to earn about $51,500 per year, while single parents or families with children may require upwards of $80,000. Lower incomes can stretch further by cutting non-essential expenses or finding housing in safe, affordable neighborhoods in Orlando.
Is Orlando an affordable place to retire?
Yes—Orlando stands out as an affordable retirement destination thanks to its reasonably priced housing, low healthcare costs, and lack of state income tax. Coupled with warm weather and a variety of amenities like theme parks, golf courses, and senior-friendly neighborhoods, Orlando offers retirees a budget-friendly place to spend their golden years.
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Relocating to Orlando? Extra Space Storage has plenty of moving resources to help with your transition. With affordable self storage facilities located across the Orlando metro, we can help you store belongings during the moving process. Find a storage facility near you!

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Quinn Johnson
Quinn Johnson is a moving expert and author for Extra Space Storage. He's moved over 15 times, including internationally, and helped countless others between their own homes. He's happy to lift some boxes for a friend as long as he's paid in pizza. As a writer and content creator for Extra Space Storage since 2019, Quinn shares helpful moving tips and info to alleviate the common stresses of moving.