Gainesville, Florida has an overall cost of living index of 94.1, which is 5.9 points below the US average of 100 — making it more affordable than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,296 per month, while the typical home is valued around $247,500. Households earn a median of $46,195 per year, so rent absorbs a relatively high share of local income. Air quality is moderate, with an average AQI of 53. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$46,195
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,296
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$247,500
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
94.1
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,154
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,246
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,493
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$1,868
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
94.1
Goods
97.4
Rents / Housing
73.6
Services
130.2
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | N/A |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $93,220 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $73,570 |
| ⚡Electrician | $75,160 |
| 📊Accountant | $88,790 |
| 🔧Plumber | $63,720 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $250,260 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $90,280 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $123,050 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $74,560 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $147,780 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $59,880 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | N/A |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
145,702
Latest estimate
Median Age
26.5 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
53.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
27
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,197
Per month
Avg Home Value
$306,650
Census ACS
January Avg
55°F
July Avg
82°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Subtropical · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
31.6
poor
Hospitals
3
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
92.6%
What is the cost of living index for Gainesville?
Gainesville has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 94.1. The US national average is 100, so Gainesville is 5.9 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Gainesville?
The median gross rent in Gainesville is $1,296 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Gainesville?
The median household income in Gainesville is $46,195 per year.
What is the median home value in Gainesville?
The median home value in Gainesville is $247,500 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Gainesville?
Gainesville has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 53.0, which is rated "Moderate" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Gainesville?
Tax data for Florida is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
