Cost of Living in Orlando, FL
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Orlando, FL to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Orlando, FL?
With a price level of 101.4 (U.S. average = 100), Orlando, FL is close to the national average. In detail, housing costs run 23% above average; everyday goods are 4% below average; utilities are 13% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining cost about the same as the national average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Orlando, FL vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 101.4 | +1.4% |
| Housing | 123.4 | +23.4% |
| Goods | 96.2 | −3.8% |
| Utilities | 87.2 | −12.8% |
| Other services | 98.9 | −1.1% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Orlando, FL
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,650 | $66,000/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,731 | $69,240/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,972 | $78,880/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,476 | $99,040/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,924 | $116,960/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Orlando, FL
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Orlando, FL | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $40,600 | $34,802 |
| $60,000 | $60,900 | $51,113 |
| $80,000 | $81,100 | $65,884 |
| $100,000 | $101,400 | $80,165 |
| $150,000 | $152,100 | $115,226 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Florida 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Orlando, FL's median wage of $46,630 takes home about $3,304 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,731, which is 52% of take-home pay — well above the 30% guideline, so many workers here share housing or rent smaller units. That leaves about $1,573 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Orlando, FL
- Federal income tax$3,416
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,891
- Medicare (1.45%)$676
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$39,647
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Orlando, FL
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $239,200+ | $204,902 | $202,037 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $171,210 | $128,288 | $126,494 |
| Marketing Manager | $143,220 | $109,157 | $107,631 |
| Financial Manager | $140,850 | $107,537 | $106,033 |
| Lawyer | $136,970 | $104,885 | $103,419 |
| Pharmacist | $135,010 | $103,545 | $102,098 |
| Sales Manager | $131,770 | $101,331 | $99,914 |
| Software Developer | $129,620 | $99,861 | $98,465 |
| Managers, All Other | $122,930 | $95,289 | $93,956 |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $109,390 | $85,786 | $84,586 |
| Construction Manager | $108,010 | $84,815 | $83,629 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $100,780 | $79,729 | $78,614 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,740 | $79,701 | $78,586 |
| General and Operations Manager | $100,440 | $79,490 | $78,378 |
| Management Analyst | $100,420 | $79,475 | $78,364 |
| Project Management Specialist | $96,390 | $76,640 | $75,569 |
| Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician | $92,430 | $73,855 | $72,822 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $91,800 | $73,411 | $72,385 |
| Financial and Investment Analyst | $90,020 | $72,159 | $71,150 |
| Registered Nurse | $83,550 | $67,607 | $66,662 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Florida cities
Half of Florida’s 9,929,860 workers earn less than $47,880 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $36,290–$75,410 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Tallahassee, FL stretches a paycheck furthest, while Miami, FL is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | $48,640 | 114.2 | $1,942 | 56% | $1,497 | $36,146 |
| Tampa, FL | $48,940 | 100.9 | $1,696 | 49% | $1,763 | $41,137 |
| Orlando, FL | $46,630 | 101.4 | $1,731 | 52% | $1,573 | $39,093 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $48,830 | 99.5 | $1,374 | 40% | $2,077 | $41,630 |
| North Port, FL | $47,440 | 102.4 | $1,686 | 50% | $1,672 | $39,347 |
| Cape Coral, FL | $46,780 | 102.3 | $1,638 | 49% | $1,676 | $38,855 |
| Lakeland, FL | $46,140 | 97.1 | $1,230 | 38% | $2,041 | $40,409 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $49,030 | 100.0 | $1,478 | 43% | $1,987 | $41,574 |
| Deltona, FL | $44,940 | 99.4 | $1,393 | 44% | $1,798 | $38,533 |
| Pensacola, FL | $46,240 | 97.7 | $1,257 | 38% | $2,021 | $40,253 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $46,520 | 93.9 | $1,193 | 36% | $2,104 | $42,120 |
| Naples, FL | $47,800 | 103.2 | $1,797 | 53% | $1,585 | $39,329 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $46,490 | 100.2 | $1,467 | 45% | $1,828 | $39,445 |
| Gainesville, FL | $47,020 | 96.7 | $1,193 | 36% | $2,137 | $41,310 |
| Crestview, FL | $47,510 | 97.0 | $1,492 | 44% | $1,871 | $41,589 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Orlando, FL vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando, FL | 101.4 | $1,731 | $46,630 | 1,411,730 |
| Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $1,428 | $49,990 | 1,358,370 |
| Baltimore, MD | 104.5 | $1,511 | $59,070 | 1,356,680 |
| St. Louis, MO | 95.1 | $989 | $49,990 | 1,341,320 |
| Austin, TX | 98.1 | $1,562 | $56,950 | 1,293,690 |
| San Diego, CA | 111.9 | $2,459 | $58,690 | 1,538,060 |
| Denver, CO | 105.8 | $1,754 | $62,320 | 1,609,350 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Orlando, FL expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL metro area are 101.4% of the U.S. average, with housing at 123.4%. It is the #63 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Orlando, FL?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $60,851 in Orlando, FL (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $46,630.
Can you afford Orlando, FL on the median wage?
A single worker on the $46,630 median wage takes home about $3,304 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,731 would take 52% of that.
How much is rent in Orlando, FL?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Orlando, FL are $1,650 for a studio, $1,731 for one bedroom, $1,972 for two bedrooms and $2,476 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Orlando, FL
Management Occupations
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $171,210
- Marketing Manager — $143,220
- Financial Manager — $140,850
- Sales Manager — $131,770
- Managers, All Other — $122,930
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $109,390
- Construction Manager — $108,010
- General and Operations Manager — $100,440
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Management Analyst — $100,420
- Project Management Specialist — $96,390
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $90,020
- Accountant and Auditor — $78,630
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $76,950
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $76,630
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $76,260
- Training and Development Specialist — $73,510
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $129,620
- Computer Systems Analyst — $100,780
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $91,800
- Computer User Support Specialist — $54,430
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Civil Engineer — $100,740
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $56,710
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $48,840
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $44,030
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $136,970
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $59,470
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Instructional Coordinator — $63,450
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $60,540
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $60,190
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $60,120
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $35,540
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $34,040
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
- Coach and Scout — $32,280
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $135,010
- Registered Nurse — $83,550
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $61,030
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $57,960
- Pharmacy Technician — $43,080
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Dental Assistant — $46,480
- Medical Assistant — $43,800
- Nursing Assistant — $37,690
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,110
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $63,010
- Firefighter — $45,520
- Security Guard — $35,500
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $30,510
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Chef and Head Cook — $61,390
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $43,070
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,970
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $36,970
- Food Preparation Worker — $35,600
- Waiter and Waitress — $35,410
- Bartender — $33,650
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $33,500
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers — $44,910
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $36,310
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $35,150
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $34,590
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Recreation Worker — $35,490
- Animal Caretaker — $34,830
- Childcare Worker — $31,200
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $30,940
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $29,470
Sales and Related Occupations
- Real Estate Sales Agent — $62,630
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $61,720
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $61,410
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $58,870
- Insurance Sales Agent — $50,280
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $48,180
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $38,170
- Parts Salesperson — $36,430
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $65,090
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $63,010
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $50,040
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $48,460
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $45,870
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $44,370
- Office Clerks, General — $43,740
- Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agent and Travel Clerk — $40,540
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $75,910
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $55,380
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $51,020
- Electrician — $50,820
- Carpenter — $49,750
- Roofer — $47,300
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $45,210
- Construction Laborer — $40,880
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician — $92,430
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $74,590
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $60,150
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $51,460
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $47,850
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $46,060
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $62,400
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $45,630
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $37,500
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker — $33,010
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $60,880
- Flight Attendant — $59,400
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $50,250
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $47,230
- Light Truck Driver — $41,870
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $38,630
- Stocker and Order Filler — $36,400
- Driver/Sales Worker — $35,180