Gainesville Cost of Living Compared to Other Cities in Florida

                                                                                                  Updated: June 1, 2023

Searching for a place to call home involves considering numerous factors, and one of the most critical aspects is the cost of living. Whether you are a prospective resident or simply curious about the affordability of Gainesville, Fl, this article will provide you with a comprehensive comparison of Gainesville's cost of living to other cities in the state. From housing and transportation, to healthcare and groceries, we will examine the key elements contributing to the overall cost of living.  

This data is taken from both Forbes and Bankrate cost of living calculators. Note that these are the average rates, the cost of living is subjective and can vary across different households and individual circumstances.

Miami:

Housing Costs - The housing costs in Gainesville are significantly lower compared to Miami. The median home price in Gainesville stands at $471,419, which is 24% lower than Miami's median home price of $584,754. Additionally, apartment rents in Gainesville averages at $1,671, making them $1,019 cheaper than the average rent in Miami.

Transportation Expenses - Gainesville has slightly higher transportation costs compared to Miami. The average price of gasoline in Gainesville is $3.86 per gallon, which is approximately 1.30% higher than in Miami which is at $3.81 per gallon.

Healthcare Expenses - When it comes to healthcare costs, Gainesville offers some advantages over Miami. The average cost of a doctor's visit in Gainesville is $101.81, which is 7.88% lower than Miami's average of $109.83. Optometrist visits also prove to be more affordable in Gainesville, with a cost of $80.71, which is 24.92% lower than in Miami. However, the cost of dental care is higher than in Miami, with the average cost of a checkup being $118.87, $24 more dollars than the average dentist appointment in Miami.

Grocery Expenses - In terms of grocery costs, Gainesville generally demonstrates lower prices compared to Miami. For example, items like steak, ground beef, and fried chicken are slightly less affordable in Gainesville, with price differences ranging from 2% to 6%. Other grocery items, such as whole milk, lettuce, and potatoes, also exhibit lower costs in Gainesville, with differences ranging from 15% to 21%.

Fort Myers:

Housing costs - The cost of housing in Fort Myers is 5.17% higher compared to Gainesville. The average home price in Fort Myers is $495,794, which is a $24,375 increase compared to Gainesville's average home price of $471,419. Similarly, apartment rent in Fort Myers is 9.16% higher than in Gainesville, sitting at an average of $1,824, $153 more than the average rent in Gainesville.

Transportation Expenses - Transportation costs between Ft Myers and Gainesville are the same, with the average gas price being $3.86 a gallon in both cities.

Healthcare Expenses - Healthcare costs in Fort Myers are 9% higher compared to Gainesville. Optometrist visits show a 19.74% increase, while doctor visits, dentist visits, and prescription drug expenses range from 5.31% to 21.67% higher in Fort Myers. The only healthcare expense higher in Gainesville is dental care with a 5.04% increase.

Grocery Expenses - Both cities experience moderate price fluctuations for various grocery items. In Gainesville, items like steak, fired chicken, and sausage are generally cheaper, with price differences ranging from 14% to 26%. However, Fort Myers has lower prices for items like eggs and sugar, and whole milk with price variations ranging from 12% to 58%.

Tampa:

Housing Costs -  Housing costs in Tampa are 15% lower than in Gainesville, making it a more affordable option. The average home price in Tampa is $414,223, offering a $57,196 difference compared to Gainesville. Similarly, apartment rents in Tampa are 8.56% lower, with an average rent of $1,528.

Transportation Expenses - In terms of transportation, Tampa offers a 6 cent cost advantage with the price of gas being $3.80 per gallon.

Healthcare Expenses - The price of healthcare can vary between Tampa and Gainesville, depending on what service you are seeking. Doctor visits in Tampa are 1.61% cheaper, and prescription drugs are 8.02% less expensive than in Gainesville. However, optometrist visits are relatively higher in Tampa, with a 32.24% increase. Ibuprofen also shows a 40.09% higher cost in Tampa.

Grocery Expenses - In terms of grocery expenses, Gainesville generally offers lower prices compared to Tampa with a 4% difference on average. Gainesville has lower costs for items such as steak, ground beef, and sausage. However, Tampa has slightly lower prices for certain items like eggs and margarine.

Orlando:

Housing Costs - The price to buy a home is significantly higher in Gainesville compared to Orlando, with the average cost of a house in Orlando being $448,493, showing a $22,926 difference. Rental prices are relatively lower in Gainesville with the difference in rent being $95 less.

Transportation Expenses - Gas prices offer little variation between the two cities, with Orlando at an average of $0.52 cents less per gallon, sitting at $3.84.

Healthcare Expenses - In terms of healthcare expenses, Gainesville’s prices are relativity similar to Orlando’s. The average price of a doctor's visit in Orlando is $98, while optometrist care sits at 79.50, showing price differences of $4 and $2. The price of prescription drugs are slightly lower in Gainesville with a $15.29 price difference.

Grocery Expenses - When comparing grocery expenses between Gainesville and Orlando, there are noticeable differences in prices. Gainesville generally offers lower prices on items such as ground beef, steak, and lettuce with decreases ranging from 4% to 30%. However, some items, such fried chicken and coffee show an increase of 26% and 45% respectively.

Jacksonville:

Housing Costs - Based on the data provided, housing costs in Gainesville are 18% higher compared to Jacksonville. The average price to buy a home in Jacksonville is $385,800 representing a 18.16% decrease. Additionally, the average apartment rent in Jacksonville is $1,507, making rent in Gainesville $164 more expensive.

Transportation Expenses - The price for a gallon of gas is notably higher in Gainesville when compared to Jacksonville, with there being an 18-cent difference.

Healthcare Expenses - The health costs in Gainesville are markedly higher when compared to Jacksonville. Doctor visits in Gainesville cost $101.81, whereas in Jacksonville they cost $90.43, representing a 11.18% increase. Dentist visits are also more expensive in Gainesville, with an average cost of $118.87 compared to $93.90 in Jacksonville, indicating a 21.01% difference. However, optometrist visits and prescription drug prices are relatively similar, with Gainesville having an 9.97% higher cost for optometrist visits and an 9.99% higher cost for prescription drugs.

Grocery Expenses - The difference in grocery prices offers varying degrees of increase in Gainesville. Whole milk has a 27% higher cost in Gainesville, while eggs are 14% more expensive. Cooking oil is 10% more expensive, while bread prices show a decrease of 14%.

Tallahassee:

Housing Costs - The prices to rent and buy homes in Gainesville are much less affordable than the average cost in Tallahassee. The average home price in Tallahassee is 19.75% lower than Gainesville at $378,293. Similarly, apartment rent in Tallahassee shows a 21.42% difference at $1,313.

Transportation Expenses - The price of gas in Gainesville is 18 cents more per gallon than in Tallahassee.

Healthcare Expenses - The cost of healthcare is significantly higher in Tallahassee when compared to Gainesville. Costs of prescription drugs, checkups, and dental care offer varying increases ranging from 13.57% to 35.85% more.

Grocery Expenses - Comparing grocery costs in Gainesville and Tallahassee shows increases and decreases on various items. Gainesville offers lower prices for steak, lettuce, and bread. Gainesville has higher prices for coffee and eggs with price differences being 40% and 8% respectively.

Pensacola:

Housing Costs - Prices to buy and rent are notably higher in Gainesville when compared to Pensacola. The average price to buy a home in Pensacola is $388,129 while the average price to rent is $1,452, offering a $83,290 and $219 difference respectively.

Transportation Expenses - The price of gas sits at an 8-cent difference between the two cities, with Pensacola getting $3.78 per gallon.

Healthcare Expenses - The difference in healthcare costs between the two cities depends on the service you're seeking. Doctor visits in Gainesville are 3.48% cheaper in Gainesville, while dentist visits are more affordable in Pensacola by 13.38%. Optometrist visits have a minimal price increase in Gainesville by $3.81, and prescription drugs have a negligible variation of 0.27%.

Grocery Expenses - Gainesville generally has slightly lower grocery costs compared to Pensacola. While some items show minimal price differences of 0% to 4%, they're a few minimal variations. Gainesville offers 3% cheaper steak, while sausage is 4% more affordable. On the other hand, Pensacola has higher prices for certain items, including frying chicken at 36% more, and eggs at 7% more.