Cost of Living in Forest City, FL

Population 14,871 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

124
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Forest City is a smaller Florida community of around 15000 residents, where median household incomes of $84,337 and housing costs ($365,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Forest City sits roughly 20 miles northwest of Orlando — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Orlando's $359,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 120
Rent 130

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Forest City

The median home value in Forest City is $364,900 — 20% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,706/month, 30% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $84,337/year is 13% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.1%, below the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Forest City has a cost of living index of 124 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 24% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$364,900
20% above avg
Median Rent
$1,706/mo
30% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,085
1 BR
$1,181
2 BR
$1,427
3 BR
$1,797
4 BR
$2,099
Owner-occupied 64.5%
Renter-occupied 35.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,706
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,320/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
29.5 min
9% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.8%
Carpooled
9.1%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
0.9%
Bicycle
0.0%
Work from home
15.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 1.1%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$84,337
13% above avg
Per Capita Income
$45,684
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
15% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Labor Force Participation
67.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 28.3%
Graduate degree 13.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.1
Male median age 40.1
Female median age 41.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good
82.1%
Good air days/yr
106
Max AQI recorded
150
PM2.5 days
213
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Forest City, FL?

Forest City has a cost index of 124 (100 = national average). It is 24% above the national average.

What is average rent in Forest City, FL?

The median gross rent in Forest City is $1,706 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Forest City?

The median home value in Forest City is $364,900 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Forest City?

The median household income in Forest City is $84,337 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Forest City, FL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Forest City is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.

Is Forest City, FL affordable?

Forest City is above average in cost of living, with an index of 124 — about 24% higher than the national average.

Forest City at a Glance

Population
14,871
Median Income
$84,337
Home Value
$364,900
Median Rent
$1,706/mo
Unemployment
4.1%
Sales Tax
7.0%
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🗺️ County data for Florida

Explore county-level cost of living data

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