If you’re planning a move to Orlando, you’ll want a clear, numbers‑based snapshot of what living there really costs. Expect median one‑bedroom rent near $1,300, utilities and internet around $340, groceries about $370, plus transportation and health expenses that push typical essentials to roughly $2,200–$2,600 monthly. With no state income tax and a median household income around $66k, some tradeoffs matter—keep reading to see which ones will hit your wallet.

Housing Costs: Renting vs. Buying in Orlando

If you’re weighing renting against buying in Orlando, the numbers matter: median rent for a 1‑bedroom is about $1,319/month and $1,639 for a 2‑bedroom (Nov 2024), while median home prices sit roughly between $369,400 and $441,765 — and at current mortgage rates near 6.70% your monthly mortgage will often exceed comparable rent.

You’ll find rent in Orlando averages about $1,547, so a one‑bedroom apartment can be more affordable upfront. Use the median household income ($66,292) to check affordability: the 30% rule implies you need roughly $52,760 annual income to comfortably cover $1,319 monthly rent.

Buying changes the calculus: median home price plus down payment, closing costs, and ongoing property tax (effective rate ~0.82%, about $2,699/year) push monthly costs higher, though the homestead exemption can reduce taxable value by up to $50,000. Moreover, building a house can often be more expensive than buying an existing home, making it essential to consider all financial aspects.

For housing in Orlando, compare total monthly outflows rather than headline prices to decide what fits your budget and time horizon.

Monthly Utilities, Internet, and Phone Expenses

Expect to pay about $198.50 monthly for basic utilities (electricity, heating/cooling, water, garbage) in a 915‑sq. ft. Orlando apartment, with energy bills often rising to $214–$277 in summer due to air conditioning. Additionally, maintaining your air conditioning system can help prevent costly repairs related to air conditioning performance. Add roughly $141.65 for internet (60+ Mbps, unlimited) and a basic phone plan to bring combined utilities and connectivity to about $340.15 per month, though some phone plans can push connectivity costs toward $194 monthly.

Typical Monthly Utility Costs

Because Orlando gets hot and humid, your cooling costs push monthly utility bills above the national norm: basic utilities (electricity, heating/cooling, water, and garbage) for a 915‑sq. ft. apartment average about $198.50 per month.

Utilities in Orlando run slightly higher than elsewhere — the Utilities index is 106 (U.S. = 100).

Energy-specific costs average roughly $213.80–$216.79 monthly, reflecting peak summer AC use.

When you factor Internet and phone service, combined utility expenses rise: internet (60+ Mbps, unlimited) plus cable/ADSL and a cell plan typically add about $141.65, yielding roughly $340.15 total.

Phone service alone can range $193.68–$197.01 depending on provider.

Compare these figures to average monthly rent when budgeting.

Internet and Phone Plans

When you add internet and phone to your monthly bills in Orlando, plan on connectivity eating up a noticeable slice of your utilities budget: a 60+ Mbps unlimited internet plan typically costs $25–$55/month, bundled cable or ADSL pushes that higher, and combined internet plus a cell plan averages about $141.65/month.

Expect internet cost to vary by provider and promotions; budget the higher end if you want reliable speeds. Cell phone plan and phone bills can skew higher—some sources show averages near $194–$197/month—so check whether those figures include multiple lines.

For a ~915 sq. ft. apartment, basic utilities run about $198.50/month, and combined utilities with connectivity total roughly $340.15. Orlando’s utilities index (~106) sits just above the national average.

Grocery Prices and Dining Out

You’ll find grocery prices in Orlando hover near the national average, with a loaf of bread around $4.34 and a gallon of milk about $4.63, while proteins range from roughly $7.06 per pound for ground beef to $15.52 for steak.

Use those figures to estimate groceries per month: a single adult’s annual food costs are about $4,476 (roughly $373/month), while a family of four faces approximately $13,156 annually (about $1,096/month) including dining out.

Orlando’s grocery index sits near the U.S. baseline (~100.7–101), so average cost shifts are modest — bread runs ~10% higher, steak ~1% higher.

For dining out, plan $15–$25 for casual dining per person; an inexpensive restaurant meal averages ~$24, and a three-course mid-range dinner for two is about $85 before drinks.

When budgeting, combine projected groceries per month with planned dining out frequency to model realistic monthly food costs for your household. Additionally, it’s important to consider that repair costs for school computers can impact overall school budgets and resources.

Healthcare, Fitness, and Personal Care Costs

Plan for healthcare, fitness, and personal care as discrete line items in your budget since routine care and preventive services in Orlando tend to run a bit below national averages.

For healthcare in Orlando, the Cost of healthcare index sits near 103.4, but many routine services are about 7–15% cheaper than comparable U.S. cities. Expect a typical doctor visit cost around $123.06, a dentist appointment near $110, and an optometrist check-up about $97.28.

Monthly health insurance premiums vary — lower-cost plans fall between $451–$498, while average premiums are near $647 — so include the premium plus likely co-pays.

For fitness, a gym membership averages $40.22/month, YMCA options run about $31/month, and some municipal facilities charge under $100 annually. Factor in personal care and over-the-counter medications (a bottle of ibuprofen ≈ $11.04) and routine preventive services often covered or cheaper locally. Additionally, be mindful of potential hidden costs that may arise related to healthcare and fitness expenses.

Tally these items monthly to avoid surprises and keep your budget realistic.

Transportation, Fuel, and Commuting Expenses

You’ll find Orlando’s transportation index (~110.1) roughly in line with national norms, but gasoline and vehicle costs add up.

If you drive, factor fuel consumption, tolls, parking and routine auto maintenance: tire balance/service averages about $56.25 and other repairs are periodic essentials.

Commuting times vary — expect long regional trips (Orlando–Tampa ~102 miles, Orlando–Miami ~236 miles) and metropolitan delays from heavy tourist traffic.

Public transit is a practical supplement: SunRail one-way reduced fares start at $2 and round-trips about $3.75; LYNX bus fares run from $1 discounted to a $4.50 all-day pass.

For many households, car ownership remains necessary, so budget conservatively for fuel, maintenance, and occasional longer-distance travel when planning monthly expenses. Additionally, routine auto maintenance, such as air conditioning blowing hose replacement, can prevent unexpected costs and keep your vehicle running efficiently.

Typical Income, Taxes, and How Much You Need to Live

You’ll find Orlando’s median household income is about $66,292 (roughly $31.87/hour), which aligns with recommended salaries of about $57,912–$66,000 depending on household size.

There’s no state income tax, but a combined 6.5% sales tax (6% state + 0.5% Orange County) raises the cost of everyday purchases.

Using the 30% housing rule, you’d need roughly $52,760 to afford a median one‑bedroom rent, and closer to $62,000–$66,000 to comfortably cover median rents plus utilities, groceries, and transportation. Additionally, understanding average hourly rates for legal services can help in planning your budget for unexpected expenses.

Median Income Levels

Income matters in Orlando: the median household brings in about $66,292 a year (roughly $31.87/hour), which is below the U.S. median of $75,149 and only modestly higher than the local average wage of about $54,634.

You should compare median household income and average wage to costs: a typical 1‑bedroom rent of $1,319 means you’d need an annual salary near $52,760 (≈$25.37/hour) to afford rent under the 30% rule. The area’s average wage is close to that threshold, so many workers just meet basic housing affordability.

With no state income tax, your take‑home pay improves versus taxed states. For a comfortable single‑adult salary, aim for about $57,912/year to cover typical living costs beyond rent.

Tax Advantages Explained

Because Florida doesn’t levy a state income tax, you’ll keep more of each paycheck compared with residents of taxed states, but that benefit is offset by higher reliance on sales and property taxes.

In Orlando your Cost of Living benefits from no state income tax, yet a combined sales tax of about 6.5% (6% state + 0.5% Orange County) and an average effective property tax near 0.82% affect purchases and homeownership.

Median household income (~$66,292) and average salary (~$54,634) determine how far that tax advantage goes.

Use the 30% rent rule: $1,319/month median one‑bedroom rent implies needing roughly $52,760/year to afford housing comfortably.

Factor sales tax, property tax, housing and utilities into your monthly budget.

Required Salary Estimates

If you want to rent Orlando’s median one‑bedroom for $1,319 a month and follow the 30% housing rule, you’ll need about $52,760 per year (roughly $25.37/hour); a comfortable single‑adult pre‑tax target is closer to $57,912 to cover housing plus typical local expenses like $340/month for utilities and connectivity, ~$373/month for groceries, and transportation costs that average about $9,693 annually.

To Cost to Live in Orlando, compare that annual salary target to the median household income of $66,292 — higher than the rent‑based need but below the U.S. median. Florida’s lack of a state income tax improves take‑home pay, so your required salary may stretch further than in taxed states. Use these figures to budget realistically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Average Cost of Living in Orlando Florida per Month?

You’ll pay about $4,826 monthly if you rent and roughly $7,913 monthly if you own, on average; median one‑bed rent is ~$1,319, utilities/internet ~$340, and monthly food about $373.

How Much Do I Need to Live Comfortably in Orlando?

You’ll need about $4,825 per month (roughly $57,900/year) to live comfortably in Orlando, covering rent, utilities, food, transportation, healthcare, and discretionary spending based on typical local expenses and median rents.

Is Orlando, FL Affordable to Live?

Yes — you can afford Orlando, but expect tradeoffs: median one‑bed rent around $1,319–$1,579 means you’ll need about $52,760/year to keep housing under 30% of income, so budget carefully for utilities and transport.

What Is the Cost of Living Index in Orlando Florida?

The cost of living index in Orlando is about 106, so you’ll face roughly 6% higher overall expenses than the U.S. average, with housing near 101 and transportation and utilities particularly above average.

Conclusion

You can live in Orlando affordably if you plan around typical costs: expect about $1,319 for a one‑bedroom, $340 for utilities/internet, $373 for groceries, plus transportation and incidentals that push monthly essentials to roughly $2,200–$2,600. With a median household income near $66,292 and no state income tax, is it realistic to buy rather than rent given mortgage, property tax (~0.82% effective) and upfront costs? Make choices based on your budget and priorities.