Median rent is 38% lower in Sanford ($965/mo vs $1,553/mo). Buying is cheaper in Sanford, where the median home runs $222,000 versus $273,900. Households earn more in Sanford ($54,294 vs $51,277 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (100.5).
City A
Kissimmee, FL
City B
Sanford, NC
How much would you need to earn in Sanford, NC to maintain your standard of living from Kissimmee, FL?
Equivalent salary in Sanford, NC
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Kissimmee
Florida
Sanford
North Carolina
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Sanford — median rent of $965/mo versus $1,553/mo in Kissimmee, a 38% difference. Median home values are within 19% of each other: $273,900 in Kissimmee and $222,000 in Sanford.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Florida has no state income tax, while North Carolina tops out at 4.50% — giving Kissimmee a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Florida and 4.75% in North Carolina; Sanford has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Kissimmee
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Sanford
Income tax: 4.50%
Sales tax: 4.75%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Sanford if you prioritize higher median household income ($54,294/yr).
Pick Sanford if you prioritize cheaper rent ($965/mo median).
Pick Kissimmee if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Kissimmee cheaper than Sanford?
Kissimmee is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 100.5 versus 100.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Kissimmee.
How much is rent in Kissimmee vs Sanford?
Median rent is $1,553/mo in Kissimmee, FL and $965/mo in Sanford, NC. Sanford, NC has the lower rent by about 38%.
Which has higher salaries — Kissimmee or Sanford?
Median household income is $51,277 in Kissimmee, FL and $54,294 in Sanford, NC. Sanford, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Kissimmee or Sanford?
Florida has no state income tax. North Carolina has a top rate of 4.50%.
What salary do I need in Sanford to match my Kissimmee income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Kissimmee, FL is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Sanford, NC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology