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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Gainesville, FL: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

3.3% below

Cost of living in Gainesville is 3.3% below the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Gainesville, FL metro area (index 96.7; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Gainesville is $1,366 a month.

Cost of living in Gainesville by category

Overall prices

96.7U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

−3.3% vs. U.S.

Goods
96.2 −3.8%
Housing (rents)
93.0 −7.0%
Utilities
88.2 −11.8%
Other services
98.9 −1.1%

BEA 2024 · Gainesville metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,366/mo

Median gross rent

−8% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,284 About the same as U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,443 −3% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$1,789 +7% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$270,800 −25% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$1,765 −13% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$169/mo

Average electric bill

+8% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
15.0¢/kWh −18% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
88.2

EIA July 2026 · Florida statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

20.8min

Mean travel time to work

−24% vs. U.S.

Gasoline (Florida)
$4.12/gal −6% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$250/wk

Center care, infant

+44% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$183/wk +19% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$160/wk +11% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$235/wk +64% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Alachua County Details: Child care

Income

$46,165/yr

Median household income

−43% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
36%
Home value to income
5.9×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Gainesville

Median gross rent in Gainesville is $1,366 a month, 8% below the U.S. median of $1,487.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $270,800.

Housing costs: Gainesville vs. Florida vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Gainesville: $1,366; Florida: $1,812; U.S.: $1,487 Gainesville $1,366 Florida $1,812 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Gainesville: $1,765; Florida: $2,168; U.S.: $2,035 Gainesville $1,765 Florida $2,168 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Gainesville: $270,800; Florida: $396,900; U.S.: $360,600 Gainesville $270,800 Florida $396,900 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureGainesvilleFloridaU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,366$1,812$1,487
Monthly owner costs$1,765$2,168$2,035
Median home value$270,800$396,900$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Gainesville

Measure Gainesville Florida U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,366$1,812$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,284$1,589$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,443$1,812$1,490
3-bedroom rent $1,789$2,076$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $1,765$2,168$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Gainesville?

At the median, rent takes about 36% of household income in Gainesville. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $54,600 a year.

The median home is worth $270,800, or 5.9 times the median household income.

Household income in Gainesville

The median household in Gainesville earns $46,165 a year, 43% below the U.S. median of $81,604. About 5.1% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 34.6% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Gainesville vs. Florida vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Gainesville: $46,165; Florida: $77,735; U.S.: $81,604 Gainesville $46,165 Florida $77,735 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureGainesvilleFloridaU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$46,165$77,735$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Gainesville

Household income distribution in Gainesville Share of households in Gainesville by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 15.4%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 5.1%. Median $46,165. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than $10,000: 15.4% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 8% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 6.1% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 5.1% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 6.2% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 3.4% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 2.4% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 2% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 5% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 5.7% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 10.1% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 11.5% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 5.1% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 3.6% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 5.4% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 5.1% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $46,165 (Gainesville) 15.4%
Show the data table
RangeGainesvilleU.S.
Less than $10,00015.4%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9998%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9996.1%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9995.1%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9996.2%3%
$30,000–$34,9993.4%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9992.4%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9992%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9995%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9995.7%6.4%
$60,000–$74,99910.1%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99911.5%12.6%
$100,000–$124,9995.1%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9993.6%7.4%
$150,000–$199,9995.4%9.7%
$200,000 or more5.1%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Gainesville Florida U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $46,165$77,735$81,604
Median home value $270,800$396,900$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Gainesville, FL metro area scored 96.7 for all items. The highest category is other services at 98.9; the lowest is utilities at 88.2.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Gainesville metro area: 96.7; Florida: 103.4; U.S.: 100.0 Gainesville metro area 96.7 Florida 103.4 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Gainesville metro area: 96.2; Florida: 98.1; U.S.: 99.6 Gainesville metro area 96.2 Florida 98.1 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Gainesville metro area: 93.0; Florida: 122.1; U.S.: 100.6 Gainesville metro area 93.0 Florida 122.1 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Gainesville metro area: 88.2; Florida: 90.1; U.S.: 98.4 Gainesville metro area 88.2 Florida 90.1 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Gainesville metro area: 98.9; Florida: 101.3; U.S.: 100.1 Gainesville metro area 98.9 Florida 101.3 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureGainesville metro areaFloridaU.S.
All items96.7103.4100.0
Goods96.298.199.6
Housing (rents)93.0122.1100.6
Utilities88.290.198.4
Other services98.9101.3100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Gainesville, FL. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Florida paid an average of 15.0¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $169 a month (U.S.: $157).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are Florida averages rather than figures for Gainesville alone.

Energy prices: Florida vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Florida: 15.0¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Florida 15.0¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Florida: $169; U.S.: $157 Florida $169 U.S. $157
Show the data table
MeasureFloridaU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)15.0¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$169$157

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill is a 12-month average. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Gainesville who commute spend an average of 20.8 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). Regular gasoline averaged $4.12 a gallon in Florida in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally.

Travel time to work in Gainesville

Travel time to work in Gainesville Share of workers who do not work from home in Gainesville by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 0.8%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 2.5%. Mean 20.8 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than 5 min: 0.8% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 11.2% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 27.1% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 22.5% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 14.9% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 4.4% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 7.8% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 1.3% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 0.7% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 4.6% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 2.1% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 2.5% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 20.8 min (Gainesville) 27.1%
Show the data table
RangeGainesvilleU.S.
Less than 5 min0.8%2.8%
5–9 min11.2%9.4%
10–14 min27.1%13.1%
15–19 min22.5%15%
20–24 min14.9%14.1%
25–29 min4.4%7%
30–34 min7.8%13.7%
35–39 min1.3%3.4%
40–44 min0.7%4.1%
45–59 min4.6%8.3%
60–89 min2.1%6.3%
90 min or more2.5%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Gainesville

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $250 a week in Alachua County, or $13,000 over 52 weeks. That is 44% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Alachua County Florida (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $250$200$174
Center-based care, toddler $183$167$153
Center-based care, preschool $160$155$144
Center-based care, school-age $134$115$120
Home-based family care, infant $235$166$143
Home-based family care, toddler $130$150$132
Home-based family care, preschool $130$145$131
Home-based family care, school-age $104$119$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Gainesville prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Gainesville?

Median rent is $1,284 for a one-bedroom and $1,443 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do you need to make to live in Gainesville?

To keep the median rent of $1,366 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $54,600 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Gainesville more expensive than the U.S. average?

No. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Gainesville, FL metro area at 96.7 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 3.3% below average. Housing rents score 93.0.

How long is the average commute in Gainesville?

20.8 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Gainesville?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $250 a week in Alachua County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.