What’s the Cost of Living in Central Florida — and How Does It Compare to Other States?

If you're considering a move to Central Florida — say Clermont, Winter Garden, Windermere, or anywhere in the Orlando metro — one of the first questions is obvious: How much will I actually pay to live here? The answer: it depends. But compared to many states, especially high-tax ones, Central Florida offers a compelling mix of costs and quality of life.

Housing

Housing is arguably the biggest factor. According to recent local data, the median cost for a single-family home in the Orlando-area remains elevated, but not unreachable for many buyers. (The Peterson Group) Compared to major metropolitan markets like New York City, housing is dramatically cheaper — BestPlaces estimates that Orlando is roughly 38% less expensive than Manhattan when it comes to home costs. (BestPlaces)

Taxes

Here’s a major win: no state income tax in Florida. That alone shifts the equation significantly when comparing to states like New York or California. (Del Webb) You'll still pay sales tax (Orange County is around 6.5%, Lake County is 7%) and property tax, but you skip that huge annual bite out of your paycheck. (IndexYard) That said, property taxes in Florida are not negligible — and rising home values have pushed those bills higher for many. (Axios)

Utilities & Monthly Expenses

Utility bills in Central Florida tend to be reasonable, though high during the summer when air conditioning usage spikes. According to local breakdowns, a typical monthly electric bill for a 3-bedroom home can run from $120 to more than $300, depending on usage. (The Peterson Group) Compared to national norms, reports suggest Florida’s utility costs are slightly lower than what you’d expect in many other regions. (RentCafe)

Groceries and food reflect a similar pattern: slightly above or near the national average, according to cost-of-living indexes. (RentCafe) Because transportation is car-dependent in most of Central Florida, the cost of owning or leasing a vehicle, plus fuel or tolls, is an important budget piece to account for.

Healthcare and Other Living Costs

On healthcare, Orlando scores well — for many residents, medical costs are slightly below national average. (Payscale) There’s also more flexibility in how you spend on entertainment, leisure, and retirement lifestyle compared to denser, high-cost states.

Comparison with High-Cost States (Example: New York)

If you're relocating from a state like New York, Central Florida can feel significantly more affordable. According to cost-of-living comparisons, you would need a much higher salary in New York to maintain the same standard of living you could achieve in Orlando. (BestPlaces) Even including recurring costs like utilities and taxes, Orlando’s overall living costs remain lower, especially when you factor in tax savings.

Bottom Line

Living in Central Florida isn’t “cheap,” but it’s very competitive — especially when compared to high-tax, high-cost states. You get a favorable mix: no state income tax, a reasonable cost of utilities, and housing costs that are more sustainable. If you budget smart, Florida can offer a high quality of life without the relentless financial drain of some other places.

Thinking about moving to Clermont, Winter Garden, or Windermere? I can pull together a fully itemized cost-of-living comparison (housing, utilities, taxes, everything) for your current city vs Central Florida — let’s run the numbers together.