Living in Orlando: 4 Pros & Cons

Living in Orlando means year round sunny weather, outdoors activities, and family-friendly fun. Plus, more theme parks than you can shake a magic wand at.

While people from all over the world know Orlando for its unusual number of theme parks (including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld), living in Orlando year round means pleasant weather, an outdoorsy lifestyle, and family-friend atmosphere.

But what does Orlando have to offer after you’ve hit every amusement park on your Orlando bucket list? Landing has the answers — and some key pros and cons to consider.

Is Orlando a Good Place to Live?

Orlando has a little bit of everything, which is why it attracts a wide variety of people. A growing tech economy, plenty of green space, and access to beaches make it a dream destination for people of all ages. Although the city is growing, the cost of living remains below the national average, making it particularly great for young families and retirees.

But if you want a walkable city with a tight-knit local vibe, the constant caravan of tourists might make other mid-sized cities on the Southeastern Seaboard more attractive. Orlando is big and busy, and might not be the best option if you’re after a suburban feel.

Cost of Living in Orlando

According to a 2024 study by SmartAsset, a single adult needs to earn $48.62 an hour or $100,000 annually to live comfortably in Orlando, whereas two working adults raising two children need a combined annual salary of $212,000. The study uses the 50/30/20 rule, a budgeting technique for setting aside money for necessities, recreation, debt, and savings. Depending on your lifestyle and financial goals, it’s possible to live more affordably.

According to RentCafe, you can expect smaller bills on your utilities, groceries, healthcare, and transportation than the national average. Housing is the differentiator — buying and renting is 7% more expensive than the rest of the US. The average rental costs $1,902, and the average home sells for $523,216.

Compared to other Florida cities, Orlando falls somewhere in the middle on the affordability scale. Orlando’s cost of living is slightly higher than Jacksonville and Tampa, but moving to central Florida is cheaper than Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

Orlando Weather

There’s a good reason why Northerners migrate to Orlando during the winter. When snow blizzards and sub-zero temperatures hit a big chunk of the country, Orlando enjoys temperatures in the 70s. November through March are marked by enjoyable, sunny weather, gradually climbing to the low 90s in the summertime.

Those enviable temperatures don’t come without sacrifice. Many people who live in central Florida find the year-round humidity to be more akin to a never-ending sauna than an oceanside paradise. The average daily humidity here is over 74% and rarely dips below 50%, even on dryer days.

Plus, life in Orlando is prone to extreme wind and rain conditions. Hurricanes, tornados, and sudden heavy rainstorms are the norm. No matter what Orlando neighborhood you choose, homes are in danger of storm damage. Moving to Orlando requires careful investments in home disaster planning and high insurance premiums.

Getting Around Orlando

Most cities in Florida were built for cars. Orlando is no different. It’s a sprawling car-centric city where most of your daily errands require a car to get from point A to point B. According to geolocation data from Tom Tom, Orlandoans spend an average of 95 hours in the car, 30 of which are in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

It isn’t impossible to live without a car as long as you choose your neighborhood wisely. Most public transportation centers around downtown Orlando, making neighborhoods like Lake Eola Heights, the Central Business District, and South Eola most convenient for car-free residents. The SunRail commuter rail service supports 16 stations that connect Central Florida suburbs with four stations across downtown Orlando. The LYNX bus service connects the city of Orlando with Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties, convening in the Lynx Central Station downtown.

Plus, more than 350 miles of trails, bike lanes, and routes make cycling in sunny weather a great option for many Orlando commuters.

Pros & Cons of Living in Orlando

It’s hard to get bored when Walt Disney World is in your backyard. But Orlando isn’t all palm trees and Mickey hats. Here are the pros and cons to consider before you move to Orlando. 

Pro: There’s Always Something to Do

SeaWorld, Epcot, and Universal Orlando are just the tip of the iceberg. There’s also Legoland, Disney World Resort, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Families (and adults that are kids at heart) can easily spend all their recreation time hopping around Orlando’s theme parks and never get bored. Plus, many parks offer steep discounts to Florida residents, which is another reason to make amusement parks a staple in your Orlando lifestyle.

The Central Florida city might be known around the world as an amusement park capital. But there’s a lot more to the “Home of Adventure” than roller coasters and water parks. The city’s natural beauty balances out the non-stop theme park stimulation. Orlando’s wetlands offer endless outdoor fun, with plenty of natural springs, nature trails, and birdwatching spots to explore. And plenty of ecotours and airboat rides are available to learn about Central Florida’s unique ecosystems.

Con: The Tourists

With great theme parks comes a never-ending flow of tourists. When you live in Orlando, co-existing with hordes of visitors is a fact of daily life. Tourism is essential to Orlando’s economy, but it can make getting around and enjoying all the city has to offer tricky for locals. Expect constant traffic, inexperienced drivers on the interstate, and lots of crowds and long lines.

It isn’t impossible to find a locals-only spot. Most theme parks are located on the Southwest side of the city, giving trendy neighborhoods surrounding downtown Orlando a more local vibe. Check out Landing’s list of the best Orlando neighborhoods (including Winter Park, SoDo, and Mills 50) to enjoy restaurants, bars, and attractions enjoyed by regular Orlandoans.

Pro: Good Job Market

Orlando is the second-best city in the country to start a career, according to a 2024 study by Wallethub. The study ranked the best and worst cities in America based on working conditions and income growth potential.

So what opportunities does Orlando lead the country in? It’s not all leisure and hospitality jobs, which account for 20% of Orlando’s job market. Orlando is safe for technology workers in search of employment, with big job opportunities in several industries, including advanced manufacturing, biotech, aerospace, fintech, and gaming.

Con: Low Minimum Wage

Although there are plenty of job opportunities in Orlando, Florida has a long track record of income disparity. In September 2024, Orlando’s hourly minimum wage will increase from $12 to $13, far from the $48.62 necessary for a comfortable lifestyle. For entry-level workers in Central Florida’s service industries, it can be difficult to make ends meet. Minimum-wage and low-wage earners typically have to cut corners, share apartments with roommates, or take on extra jobs.

Luckily, there are plenty of high-paying jobs in Orlando. According to a study by Stacker, many medical professionals, engineers, and tech workers make 6-figure incomes. Likewise, trade professions (like air traffic controllers and construction managers) garner high salaries, although there are scarcer job openings.

Find your affordable home in Orlando, FL

You worry about getting season passes to Disney World. We’ll handle the apartment hunting.

Landing has fully furnished, short and long-term flexible leases all across Orlando. Whether you want to be close to the park or prefer a locals-only Orlando neighborhood, become a Landing member today and we’ll make your stay magical.