Cost of Living in Alachua, FL
Population 10,638 · Florida · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Alachua sits on the smaller end of the Florida city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.3% — below most comparable cities in the state.
Alachua sits roughly 10 miles northwest of Gainesville — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 22% higher than Gainesville's $235,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Alachua
The median home value in Alachua is $285,700 — 6% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,132/month, 14% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $78,526/year is 5% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Alachua has a cost of living index of 91 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 9% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Alachua, FL?
Alachua has a cost index of 91 (100 = national average). It is 9% below the national average.
What is average rent in Alachua, FL?
The median gross rent in Alachua is $1,132 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Alachua?
The median home value in Alachua is $285,700 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Alachua?
The median household income in Alachua is $78,526 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Alachua, FL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Alachua is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.
Is Alachua, FL affordable?
Alachua is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 91 (100 = US average).
Alachua at a Glance
- Population
- 10,638
- Median Income
- $78,526
- Home Value
- $285,700
- Median Rent
- $1,132/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.3%
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Florida Rankings
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