Orlando At-A-Glance
You’ll be in good company. More than 100 people are moving to Orlando every day, making it one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. The influx of new residents may be inspired by Orlando’s title of “most visited tourist destination in the country (more than 70 million visitors each year).
The versatility of both urban and suburban living makes Orlando one of the best places to live in Florida. And although the fact that Orlando is home to “the Happiest Place on Earth” it’s more than just amusement parks and attractions. The affordability, sunny weather, solid economy, and endless entertainment makes it a no brainer location for those looking to move south.
Orlando is More Than Just a Great Place to Visit
Visit Orlando says, “Whether you’re a theme park enthusiast, bird watcher, foodie, water sports fanatic, sun worshiper, arts patron, serious shopper or anything in between, the possibilities are endless in Orlando.”
Nicknamed “The City Beautiful,” Orlando is located in Orange County and is the 23rd largest metropolitan area in the United States. Of course with dozens of theme parks and world-renowned attractions, there’s never a shortage of things to do.
But Orlando is more than just a great place to visit. Orlando is quickly becoming a foodie destination with international cuisine and vibrant flavors. It’s also a sports fan haven with teams to root for in basketball, baseball, football, soccer, and hockey. If sports and theme parks aren’t your thing, the Orlando Film Festival brings in over 1,000 entries every year from aspiring filmmakers. Don’t settle for just amusement park attractions when you can experience all that Orlando has to offer without venturing that far.
You’ll Never Run Out of Job Opportunities in Orlando
Because of the sheer quantity of theme parks in Orlando, you’ll never need to worry about not finding employment opportunities. In 2021, Orlando was ranked one of the best cities for job seekers. But it’s not just service industry jobs that Orlando offers. Many Fortune 500 companies in the technology, health care and construction industries call Orlando home.
Other large companies that are headquartered in Orlando include NBC Universal, Amazon, AAA, Siemens, JetBlue, The Golf Channel and more. With so many opportunities at your fingertips, it’s no wonder that Orlando has been ranked number seven in the U.S. for job growth.
Unemployment rate: 2.6% (as of March 2023)
Average weekly wages for all industries: $1,308 (as of May 2023)
Expect to Live Comfortably in Orlando
Living in Orlando is actually very doable! The cost of living is 2 percent lower than the national average and 3 percent lower than the Florida average. Another perk? There’s no state income tax in Florida so you won’t pay income tax, inheritance tax or estate taxes. Given you’ll save money regardless of whether you own or rent, moving to Orlando is a safe bet all the way around.
Property taxes are below the national average and the housing market is trending up by just under 2 percent each year. The median home price in Orlando is $360,000 and the average worker makes $85,000 so it’s a very livable area. On the rent side, expect to pay $1,933 on average for a 962 sq. ft. apartment.
