Cost of Living in Live Oak, FL
Population 6,901 · Florida · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Live Oak 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. At 10.3%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.
Located 55 miles northwest of Gainesville, Live Oak is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 33% lower than Gainesville's $235,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Live Oak
The median home value in Live Oak is $158,200 — 48% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $880/month, 33% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,578/year is 28% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.3%, above the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Live Oak has a cost of living index of 58 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 42% less expensive.
Live Oak has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Live Oak, FL?
Live Oak has a cost index of 58 (100 = national average). It is 42% below the national average.
What is average rent in Live Oak, FL?
The median gross rent in Live Oak is $880 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Live Oak?
The median home value in Live Oak is $158,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Live Oak?
The median household income in Live Oak is $53,578 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Live Oak, FL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Live Oak is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.
Is Live Oak, FL affordable?
Yes, Live Oak is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 58 — about 42% below the US national average of 100.
Live Oak at a Glance
- Population
- 6,901
- Median Income
- $53,578
- Home Value
- $158,200
- Median Rent
- $880/mo
- Unemployment
- 10.3%
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Florida Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
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