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Cost of living in Gainesville, FL

Livability score 70 · cost-of-living index 97.2 (US = 100)

Gainesville, FL
Photo: Rbrko via Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

How Gainesville compares

Where Gainesville falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 97 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 97 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $307k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $307k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $166 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $166 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 7.0% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 7.0% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 0.92% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 0.92% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 380 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 380 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 15.4 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 15.4 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 91° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 91° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 52° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 52°

Map of Gainesville

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Cost of living

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)97.2metro-area#114 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)96.3metro-area#76 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)$5.53metro-area#113 of 200
Median household income$56,638metro-area#186 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)$32,717metro-area#193 of 200

Who lives here

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median age34.3 yearsmetro-area#19 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)40.9%metro-area#33 of 200
Foreign-born residents10.2%metro-area#72 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied58.9%metro-area#181 of 200

Economy

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Unemployment rate4.90%metro-area#83 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)+23.1%metro-area#3 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median home price$306,605metro-area#77 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)5.4×metro-area#131 of 200
1-yr home appreciation-1.3%metro-area#164 of 200
Price per square foot$166metro-area#77 of 200
Typical home size (implied)1,850 sqft
Median rent (monthly)$1,681metro-area#112 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)1,765
Median days on market31metro-area#154 of 200

Taxes

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)9.1%state#38 of 200
Combined sales tax7.02%state#69 of 200
State income tax (top rate)None
Capital gains taxNonestate#1 of 200
High earnersNo special surtax
Social Security in retirementNot taxed — has no state income tax, so Social Security is untaxed along with everything else
Effective property tax rate0.92%metro-area#111 of 200
Median property tax paid$2,091metro-area#71 of 200

Health & childcare

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Life expectancy at birth77.1 yearsmetro-area#81 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)$7,500state#163 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)11.3%metro-area#140 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k130metro-area#2 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)$10,000state#58 of 200

Vehicles & commute

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Annual registration$225state#153 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)Nonestate#1 of 200
Emissions testingNot required
Emissions detailNo vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices4
Avg commute to work23 minmetro-area#66 of 200
Commute by driving alone71.8%metro-area#58 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min29.7%metro-area#79 of 200

Utilities & fuel

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Electricity15.4¢/kWhstate#45 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill$138state#41 of 200
Gasoline$3.35/galstate#111 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)$38state#3 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)$88state#65 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)$76state#20 of 200

Insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Home insurance (annual)$4,200state#183 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)$2,900state#181 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Main natural hazardsNotable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)84.0 — Relatively Moderatemetro-area#56 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)$1,400state#185 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)$100state#1 of 200

Climate & air quality

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)38metro-area#25 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)3,600metro-area#180 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)96%state#4 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)500metro-area#4 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F73metro-area#156 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F0metro-area#5 of 200
Avg summer high (state)91°Fmetro-area#136 of 200
Avg winter low52°Fmetro-area#4 of 200
Annual precipitation51.5"metro-area#171 of 200
Annual snowfall0.0"metro-area#1 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)68%metro-area#34 of 200
Plant hardiness zone10a
Frost window01-15 → 01-15

Safety

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)380state#75 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)1,950state#67 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Grocery stores120metro-area#5 of 200
Parks60
Hiking areas15
Golf courses15
Shooting ranges4
Lakes4

Permits

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)3state#87 of 200
Permit detailModerate

US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.

Top employers in Gainesville

Major public and private employers in the Gainesville, FL area.

EmployerSectorJobs
University of Florida Education Careers →
UF Health/Shands Hospital Healthcare Careers →
Alachua County Public Schools Education Careers →
Publix Super Markets Retail Careers →
North Florida Regional Medical Center Healthcare Search →

Salaries by occupation in Gainesville

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

OccupationMedian pay
Dentists $158,290
Pharmacists $130,490
Marketing Managers $123,430
Financial Managers $122,060
Physician Assistants $117,970
Lawyers $108,190
Civil Engineers $102,040
General & Operations Managers $100,650
Mechanical Engineers $98,900
Physical Therapists $96,720
Human Resources Managers $95,520
Construction Managers $92,810
Software Developers $81,940
Registered Nurses $81,430
Web Developers $78,570
Dental Hygienists $77,670
Accountants & Auditors $69,880
Data Scientists $59,550
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $58,260
Real Estate Sales Agents $51,810
Elementary School Teachers $51,540
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $51,120
Graphic Designers $48,570
Electricians $48,340
Carpenters $46,670
Welders, Cutters & Solderers $45,550
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $45,230
Medical Assistants $36,900

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