Jump to any of the following sections to learn more about what to expect living in Orlando, Florida.
- Orlando at-a-glance
- What it’s like to live in Orlando
- Economy and job outlook in Orlando
- Real estate, cost of living in Orlando
- The top neighborhoods in Orlando
- How to get around in Orlando
- School and education snapshot
- Weather and climate in Orlando
- 10 can’t-miss things to do in Orlando
Orlando At-A-Glance
Orlando is home to just under 320,000 people. The city seems much bigger and busier, though, due to the high number of visitors to the area. In fact, in 2022 Orlando was the largest travel and tourism destination in the U.S. Can you guess why that might be? That’s right: Orlando is the Theme Park Capital of the World and the city happens to have the second-largest convention center in the country.
But for those living in Orlando, there’s a bigger draw than Mickey Mouse. Yes, there is plenty to do, but residents also enjoy a strong job market, a healthy mix of suburban and urban neighborhoods, great weather and more. This central Florida metro area has become a hub for families, young professionals and students. (It’s no wonder that despite the state’s reputation for snowbirds and retirees, the median age of an Orlando resident is 34!)
Enjoy Broadway and Ballet in Orlando
The world-renowned creativity and innovation demonstrated by Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and other major tourist spots are not contained to the parks. That same passion and creative energy is shared throughout the city.
Away from the thrill rides and bright lights, you’ll enjoy great theater and performing arts, find historical homes and museums, stroll through galleries and soak up the beauty of gardens. Check out the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Orlando Ballet or the Central Florida Community Arts. Take in Orlando’s public art and sculpture gardens for a day in the sun, or visit the Orange County Regional History Center or Holocaust Resource Center.
Once you’re tuckered out and need a bite, you can take in a dinner show or just chow down at your favorite eatery. With its diverse population and a collection of cultural influences, the city has plenty of yummy spots to choose from. You might enjoy high-quality East African cuisine from Selam, Michelin star sushi from Kadence, or take comfort in the indulgent (but healthy) Hungry Pants—all three made it into Yelp’s 2023 list of Top 100 U.S. restaurants.
There’s More to Orlando’s Industries than Travel and Leisure
It should come as no surprise that travel, leisure and hospitality dominate a large portion of Orlando’s employment opportunities. Walt Disney World is the leading employer, with Universal Orlando, Marriott, SeaWorld and other groups at the top as well. But out of that spotlight, you’ll find plenty of other industries thriving in the area, including healthcare, aerospace and defense, clean energy and digital media.
In the first quarter of 2023, Orlando’s unemployment rate remained at a steady low of 2.6 percent, down 0.4 percent from the same time a year prior. In that same timeframe, the area added over 60,000 jobs, with leisure and hospitality bouncing back from the pandemic. Additional gains were seen in education, healthcare, trade and transportation.
Orlando Cost of Living is on the Rise
Florida was once the state most associated with a relaxing, affordable retirement. But rising costs are changing its population. The biggest factor in those costs? Housing.
With the rise in interest rates, Orlando’s housing market saw a very slight slowdown from the market jump experienced during the pandemic. Prices seem to be creeping back up, however. In March 2023, home prices were up 5.3 percent compared to the same time a year prior, with the median sale price hitting $361,000. Homes are staying on the market about four times longer, however, indicating buyers may have more success getting the home of their dreams.
Rents in Orlando and its surrounding areas can vary significantly, but there are a variety of apartments, condos and single-family homes, and the rents are not increasing as quickly as the rest of the state. In May 2023, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment was $1,388, or $1,637 for a two-bedroom apartment. These reflect just a 0.1 percent year-over-year increase.
The median household income was $ 58,968 as of the 2021 Census. This is well below the national median for the same year. A low income expectancy along with the rising housing costs are part of why WalletHub ranked Florida worst for affordability in its list of Best and Worst States to Raise a Family.
Feel the Energy Downtown or Live the Suburban Life in Outer Orlando Neighborhoods
With tourism and the parks dominating much of the city, the central neighborhoods of Orlando can seem overwhelming. But the greater metropolitan area actually has a great variety of neighborhood options. Whether you’re moving to Orlando looking for a quiet suburban feel or to be part of the buzz and bustle of the city, there’s a place for you. Check out these highly recommended neighborhoods for those moving to Orlando:
WINTER PARK
This suburban area is technically its own city but belongs to the greater Orlando metro area. Residents who love to golf or go boating will have plenty of green space and lakes to enjoy. Winter Park is also home to great museums, restaurants and shopping.
BALDWIN PARK
This former Navy training base has been transformed into one of Orlando’s newer neighborhoods. Its walkability and proximity to Orlando Executive Airport make it one of the more expensive neighborhoods, ideal for well-off young couples, professionals and families.
LAKE MARY
A small city in the northern Orlando metro area, Lake Mary offers diverse housing options, great education options, tech businesses and shopping. You’ll exchange proximity to downtown for a suburban feel, but everything is still accessible by SunRail.
CELEBRATION
A Disney-planned community intended to give a friendly, smalltown vibe, Celebration is a unique, contained community full of homes that look old-fashioned on the outside and are contemporary on the inside. Located within nearby Kissimmee, it’s just a short drive to the Disney parks.
DOWNTOWN
This neighborhood is for extroverts and young professionals. Living in Downtown Orlando is about what’s going on outside your home: nightlife, shopping, dining, breweries, entertainment and more. It’s also sometimes known as the Central Business District for the number of office buildings.
Other neighborhoods to include in your Orlando home search:
- Park Lake Highland
- College Park
- Lake Nona
- Winter Garden
- Metro West
Park Your Car and Take the Bus or Rail Around Orlando
Orlando, far from being a walkable city, is known for its heavy traffic, especially during the tourist seasons. Road construction is also common. So while folks living in Orlando tend to own a car, you will have more success getting around if you get to know the public transportation system.
The LYNX bus system is far-reaching, with connections throughout Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. LYMMO is a bus rapid transit service through LYNX with routes to hot spots downtown. SunRail, the electric commuter train, also runs north and south of the city.
No doubt living in the Theme Park Capital of the World will have family and friends wanting to come visit. There are plenty of great options for getting into the city from out of town, including two airports, an Amtrak station and a Greyhound station.
Schools and Education in Orlando
Although the state has been ranked high for parent empowerment, studies on student performance and the amount learned per grade show that in terms of learning rates, Florida students in public schools rank worst in the country. This means that Florida students learn less with each grade than students in other states, resulting in worse test scores the older they get.
Parents with kids in, or who will be entering, K-12 may want to check out one of the area’s 138 private schools instead, some of which rank among the top in the U.S.
For older students looking to obtain a higher education, there’s some good news. Orlando was ranked as one of the best college towns and cities in the U.S. for its friendliness and economic opportunities. Residents have several campuses to check out in and around Orlando, including University of Central Florida, Rollins College and Beacon College.
Orlando Has High Temperatures and Swampy Humidity
Folks just moving to Orlando may not realize that before Walt Disney decided to build his east coast theme park location, the area was largely swamplands. Disney saw its potential and wetlands were filled in to become the foundation for Walt Disney World.
What does this fun fact have to do with the weather? Today, Orlando is still full of lakes, wetlands and swamps, contributing to its humid subtropical climate. Although the city is within an hour of the coast, it doesn’t benefit from the cooling effects of the ocean. Expect muggy, hot summers that are balanced by mild winters. Florida is also prone to its rainy and hurricane seasons, so you’ll want to have a plan in place for big storms.
The coldest month is January, with average low temperatures of 49 degrees Fahrenheit—not bad if you’re relocating from the snowy north! August is by far the hottest month of the year, with temperatures in the 90s almost daily.
10 Can’t-Miss Things to Do in and Around Orlando
When most folks think of Orlando, they’re probably thinking about sunshine, daring theme park rides and those big mouse ears. But O-Town has more fun to offer outside of the parks. Here’s a list of 10 ways to start having fun once you’re living in Orlando:
- Hit up the major theme parks in the city: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld.
- Build your ultimate day trip at LEGOLAND Florida.
- Visit nearby Cape Canaveral and explore interactive exhibits and simulators at the Kennedy Space Center.
- Enjoy more than 40,000 pieces of art, from Egyptian relics to contemporary works, at the Orlando Museum of Art.
- Learn a thing or two about history and science at the interactive Orlando Science Center.
- Explore a 40-acre oasis of gardens, wetlands and butterflies at the Mead Botanical Garden.
- Get your photo taken with Marilyn Monroe and other famous figures—their wax versions anyway—at the Orlando location of world-known Madame Tussauds.
- View over 200 sculptures by Czech-American sculptor Albin Polasek at the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens.
- Take in a Broadway show, a concert and more at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
- Indulge your sweet tooth at the World of Chocolate Museum, featuring tastings, interactive displays and exhibitions on the history and making of chocolate.
