Rent vs buy in Orlando, FL
In Orlando, Florida, typical rent is $1,889 /mo and a typical home is $372,775.
Over 7 years, buying comes out ahead by $17k.
Today's mortgage rate and 20% down set the basis, using Orlando's typical rent along with its typical home value. You reach the break-even point in year 6.
The opinion is clearly labeled and includes the math shown. These figures are estimates, not quotes. When you change a number, the stamp changes.
- How far owning comes out ahead
- $17k after 7 years
- When the costs balance
- year 6 when owning catches up
- Actual cost of owning
- $3,280 /mo year 1, against $1,889 rent
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The stamp reflects Orlando's typical rent and home value. The result can change based on your rent, price and years.
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Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Orlando?
Over 7 years, buying costs $16,618 less, including the money you get back when you sell. In year 6, owning's net cost falls below renting's and remains lower.
Renting option Home ownership. Net cost to date, by year.
Orlando average rent vs. mortgage payment
For year 1, every monthly cost at Orlando's typical price is included, not only the rent and mortgage.
| Each month, year 1 | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,889 | All of it, every month |
| Mortgage payment | $2,032 | $1,791 of it is interest in year 1 |
| Property tax | $252 | 0.81% of the value a year |
| Insurance | $165 | Census median for the city |
| Upkeep | $311 | 1% of the value a year |
| Owning, cash out | $2,760 | $241 of it builds equity |
| Lost return on the down payment | $606 | At 8.3% a year, that's what the cash could earn. |
| Buying costs, spread out | $155 | 3.5% of the price over 7 years |
| True cost of owning | $3,280 | Cash paid, minus the equity portion, plus the two lines above |
Numbers behind Orlando's verdict
- Typical home value: Zillow ZHVI, September 2026
- $372,775
- Typical rent: Zillow ZORI, September 2026
- $1,889 /mo
- Down payment: 20% avoids private mortgage insurance, which the engine doesn't model
- 20%
- Mortgage rate source: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (FRED MORTGAGE30US)
- 7.24%
- Growth in home prices: FHFA house price index for Florida, 1995 to 2025
- Yearly rate: 5.4%
- Savings return: 60% S&P 500 including dividends and 40% 10-year Treasuries, rebalanced once yearly, 1928 to 2025
- Yearly return: 8.3%
- The Census ACS 2020-2024, Orlando provides the property tax figures.
- The rate equals 0.81% of value.
- The Census ACS 2020-2024, Orlando provides the home insurance figures.
- The cost is $165 each month.
- Upkeep source: Fannie Mae, low end of 1% to 4%
- Each year, the amount equals 1% of value.
- Purchase cost source: Freddie Mac, middle of 2% to 5%
- 3.5% applied to the price
- Sale expenses: Agent commission plus closing costs
- 6% applied to the price
What could flip the Orlando result?
Each line marks the point where Orlando's 7-year verdict changes, while all other assumptions stay as they are.
When renting wins
- Using 5.4%, Florida's long-run rate, home prices grow less than 4.9% a year.
- The mortgage rate remains above 8.03%.
- A home like this has rent below $1,710 each month; the local typical rent is $1,889.
- You leave before year 6.
When buying wins
- Home prices rise at more than 4.9% a year.
- You lock in a mortgage rate under 8.03% (today's is 7.24%).
- The same home would cost more than $1,710 a month to rent.
- You remain for 6 years or more.
Orlando compared with the other 812 cities
| Measure | Orlando | Median city |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $372,775 | $422,451 |
| Typical rent | $1,889 /mo | $1,837 /mo |
| Price-to-rent ratio | 16.4 (#522 of 813) | 18.5 |
| Home prices, last 10 years | 6.7% a year | 6.2% a year |
| Rents, last 5 years | 3% a year | 4% a year |
| Property tax | 0.81% | 0.87% |
| Households that rent | 60% | 42% |
Data from: Zillow ZHVI and ZORI, Census ACS 2020-2024.
Additional cities in Florida
- In Jacksonville, FL, buying comes out ahead by $27k.
- In Miami, FL, buying comes out ahead by $27k.
- In Tampa, FL, buying comes out ahead by $19k.
- In St. Petersburg, FL, buying comes out ahead by $41k.
- In Port St. Lucie, FL, buying comes out ahead by $48k.
- In Hialeah, FL, buying comes out ahead by $37k.
- In Cape Coral, FL, buying comes out ahead by $36k.
- In Tallahassee, FL, buying comes out ahead by $11k.
- In Fort Lauderdale, FL, buying comes out ahead by $25k.
- In Pembroke Pines, FL, buying comes out ahead by $22k.
- In Hollywood, FL, buying comes out ahead by $17k.
- In Gainesville, FL, buying comes out ahead by $24k.