Gainesville, Florida
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Gainesville.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Gainesville?
For relocators asking how much Gainesville costs: the housing index sits at 84 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $235,000 and rents near $1,214. Local median income is about $45,611 and unemployment recently ran 5.7% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 19 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 687 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 84U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $235,000U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,214U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $45,611U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 19 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 687per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 91°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Gainesville compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 148,720City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $45,611Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year42% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 84ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year16% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $235,000City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year23% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,214City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year10% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 20261.5 pts above U.S. avgU.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 19 min24% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3424% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 687annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)17% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3488.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)13% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 91°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 45°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals11.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 48.3 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals46% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 251As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Gainesville grew 19.3% from 124,681 in 2010 to 148,720 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Gainesville expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Gainesville runs 16 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 84 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $235,000 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,214 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Gainesville?
Budget first around $1,214/month rent or $235,000 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $235,000
- Median rent $1,214/month
- Median household income $45,611
What is the job market like in Gainesville?
Labor-market context for Gainesville: unemployment 5.7% and median income $45,611. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $45,611
How long is the typical commute in Gainesville?
Plan on roughly 19 minutes each way in Gainesville. Walk Score estimates around 34 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 19 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 34/100
Is Gainesville safer than similar U.S. cities?
Gainesville's FBI-derived violent rate (~687/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 687 per 100k
- Property 3488.2 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Gainesville?
Gainesville's climate profile: 91°F summer peaks, 45°F winter mornings, 48.3" annual rainfall, and 251 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 91°F
- Winter low 45°F
- 48.3 in rain · 251 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Gainesville, Florida will find roughly 148,720 residents within city limits. Households here report a median income near $45,611; our housing-derived cost index is about 84 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). Budget for median rents around $1,214 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Subtropical summers, hurricane planning, and no state income tax loom large. Pack for 91°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 45°F. Commutes average near 19 minutes one-way, with walkability near 34/100. Unemployment near 5.7% is elevated versus many peer cities, so industry mix matters more in a move decision. Violent-offense rates near 687 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Gainesville is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Gainesville with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Gainesville city, 1600000US1225175) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Alachua County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00012816 GAINESVILLE RGNL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10