Living in Orlando, FL
Orlando is the 58th-largest city in the US, home to about 334,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 8.4% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (101.4 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 333,888+8.4% since 2020
- Median home value
- $394,1005.4 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,747/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $72,336median, per year
- Price level
- 101.4US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 72° / 92°lows 50° / 73°
- Average commute
- 26 min16% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Orange County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 98 ft
Metro area: Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
Cost of living in Orlando
The median home in Orlando is worth $394,100 and the median household earns $72,336 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.4 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,747 a month, about 29% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL metro area at 101.4, with housing at 123.4 and goods at 96.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $76,100 here. Florida has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Florida is 6.98%.
What would my salary be worth in Orlando?
Orlando weather
Average highs run from 72°F in January to 92°F in July, and January nights average 50°F. It gets 52 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 110 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are October to April.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Orlando
People and work
The median resident is 35.1 years old, and 42% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 40% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 26 minutes; 16% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 35.1190th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 43%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 40%of households
- People per sq mile
- 3,005111.1 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%2% walk, 0.4% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.2%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 14.7%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1992median year
Who moves to Orlando, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Miami (Miami-Dade County), Fort Lauderdale (Broward County) and West Palm Beach (Palm Beach County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Miami (Miami-Dade County), Fort Lauderdale (Broward County) and Jacksonville (Duval County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Orange County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, strong wind, lightning, cold wave.
Home prices
+0.8% in a year
Up 45% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
70% good days
2 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Orlando
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- University of Central Florida 9 miles
- Full Sail University 4 miles
- Ana G. Mendez University 4 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Orlando
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Orlando International Airport MCO | 8 mi | 27,859,783 |
| Orlando Sanford International Airport SFB | 17 mi | 1,412,954 |
| Daytona Beach International Airport DAB | 47 mi | 337,763 |
| Melbourne Orlando International Airport MLB | 51 mi | 348,283 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Orlando
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Florida | 9 mi | 59,146 | $11,516 | 78% |
| Full Sail University | 4 mi | 25,777 | $37,401 | 42% |
| Ana G. Mendez University | 4 mi | 4,763 | $19,736 | 13% |
| Rollins College | 4 mi | 2,631 | $36,204 | 78% |
| AdventHealth University | 3 mi | 1,361 | $30,906 | 53% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Orlando
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 25, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around January 1 and the first frost comes around January 10.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Orlando Intl. Airport, FL, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Orlando.
Wildfire smoke in Orlando
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Orlando on about 102 days a year, including about 5 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Orlando
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 131,179 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Orlando
Downtown Orlando is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange County School District | Pre-K to 12 | 205,853 | 275 | 18.0 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Seminole County School District (63,934 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Orlando's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Orlando's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Pearland, TX76% matchCompare
- Sugar Land, TX75% matchCompare
- League City, TX72% matchCompare
- Missouri City, TX71% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Orlando
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in Orlando
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Florida has no state income tax on wages.
- Data 7 months a year have comfortable weather by our rule.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 72°F.
- Data The city is growing fast (+8.4% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 110 days a year reach 90°F.
Orlando report card from locals
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Orlando through locals' eyes
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Cities near Orlando
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kissimmee, FL | 17 mi | 85,591 | $304,400 | 101.4 | Compare |
| Deltona, FL | 35 mi | 100,267 | $285,400 | 99.4 | Compare |
| Daytona Beach, FL | 50 mi | 88,471 | $287,700 | 99.4 | Compare |
| Lakeland, FL | 51 mi | 125,520 | $249,400 | 97.1 | Compare |
| Melbourne, FL | 54 mi | 87,097 | $306,400 | 100.0 | Compare |
| Palm Bay, FL | 54 mi | 148,092 | $283,200 | 100.0 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Looking at the suburbs? Minneola, Oviedo and Wekiwa Springs lead our ranking of the best suburbs of Orlando.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Orlando with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Orlando a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show a growing population, no state income tax on wages, 7 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are 110 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Orlando side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Orlando?
The Census Bureau estimates Orlando had 333,888 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 308,101 in April 2020 (+8.4%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Orlando?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $76,100 in the Orlando area. The median household here earns $72,336.
When is the best time to visit Orlando?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, October to April are the most comfortable months. July averages 92°F and January 72°F for daytime highs.
What county is Orlando in?
Orlando is in Orange County, Florida. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Orlando in?
Orlando is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Orlando?
About 98 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Florida have a state income tax?
No. Florida does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Orlando. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Orlando Intl. Airport, FL station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.