Living in Gainesville, Florida
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Gainesville · Census data 2020–2024
Gainesville has 145,702 residents with a median age of 26.5. The median household income is $46,195 (38% lower than the Florida median), the median home value is $247,500, the median rent is $1,296/month.
Gainesville at a glance
- Population
- 145,702
- Median age
- 26.5State: 42.6
- Median household income
- $46,195State: $74,568
- Median home value
- $247,500State: $359,000
- Median rent
- $1,296/moState: $1,669
- Homeowners
- 37.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 53.7%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Gainesville a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 31% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 38% lower than the Florida median; unemployment of 5.5%; a poverty rate of 30.8%.
The weather is best in March–April and October–November.
Cost of living in Gainesville
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Gainesville the median home value is $247,500, 26% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,296 per month, which is 42.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,599 a month in housing costs.
Gainesville median household income
The median household income in Gainesville is $46,195 and the income per person is $30,051. 30.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Florida: 12.6%).
Housing in Gainesville: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 66,114
- Owner-occupied
- 37.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 62.3%
- Vacant
- 9.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1983
- Average household size
- 2.14
Gainesville demographics
- Population
- 145,702
- Median age
- 26.5
- Under 18
- 13.1%
- 65 and older
- 11.9%
- Households
- 59,816
- Foreign-born
- 12.4%
- Veterans
- 4.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Gainesville ›
Education in Gainesville
53.7% of adults 25 and older in Gainesville have a bachelor's degree or higher (Florida: 34.1%), and 27.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Gainesville
- Unemployment rate
- 5.5%State: 4.8%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 14.7%
- Drive alone
- 60.9%
- Public transit
- 4.9%
- Walk to work
- 4.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.6%
Gainesville vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville | 145,702 | $46,195 | $247,500 | $1,296 |
| Alachua | 10,743 | $83,464 | $299,200 | $1,284 |
| Micanopy | 747 | $74,038 | $233,200 | $1,094 |
| Waldo | 1,303 | $29,894 | $113,600 | $745 |
| Archer | 958 | $41,058 | $184,800 | $913 |
| Brooker | 223 | $71,875 | $198,200 | $1,025 |
| Newberry | 7,865 | $89,552 | $288,100 | $2,100 |
| Hawthorne | 1,625 | $55,406 | $177,800 | $727 |
| High Springs | 6,544 | $94,421 | $320,700 | $1,878 |
More for people moving to Gainesville
Gainesville ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Gainesville: FAQ
What is the median household income in Gainesville, FL?
The median household income in Gainesville is $46,195, 38% lower than the Florida median of $74,568 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Gainesville?
The median home value in Gainesville is $247,500, compared with $359,000 in Florida.
How much is rent in Gainesville?
The median gross rent in Gainesville is $1,296 per month, about 42.9% of household income.
Is Gainesville, FL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 31% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes. Minuses: median household income 38% lower than the Florida median; unemployment of 5.5%; a poverty rate of 30.8%.
What is the median age in Gainesville?
The median age in Gainesville is 26.5 years (Florida: 42.6).
How long is the commute in Gainesville?
The average commute to work in Gainesville is 19 minutes; 14.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Gainesville?
The unemployment rate in Gainesville is 5.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Gainesville?
53.7% of adults in Gainesville have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: