Cost of Living in Lake City, FL
Population 12,404 · Florida · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Lake City a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $179,000. A poverty rate near 23% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Located 40 miles northwest of Gainesville, Lake City falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 24% lower than Gainesville's $235,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Lake City
The median home value in Lake City is $178,600 — 41% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $940/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,175/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.3%, above the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Lake City has a cost of living index of 64 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 36% 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
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Lake City, FL?
Lake City has a cost index of 64 (100 = national average). It is 36% below the national average.
What is average rent in Lake City, FL?
The median gross rent in Lake City is $940 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Lake City?
The median home value in Lake City is $178,600 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Lake City?
The median household income in Lake City is $51,175 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Lake City, FL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Lake City is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.
Is Lake City, FL affordable?
Yes, Lake City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 64 — about 36% below the US national average of 100.
Lake City at a Glance
- Population
- 12,404
- Median Income
- $51,175
- Home Value
- $178,600
- Median Rent
- $940/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.3%
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Florida Rankings
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