Cost of Living in Tavares, FL

Population 19,738 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

87
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Tavares is a smaller Florida community of around 20000 residents, where median household incomes of $57,644 and housing costs ($226,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Located 40 miles northwest of Orlando, Tavares falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 37% lower than Orlando's $359,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 74
Rent 107

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

About the Cost of Living in Tavares

The median home value in Tavares is $225,500 — 26% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,409/month, 7% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $57,644/year is 23% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Tavares has a cost of living index of 87 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$225,500
26% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$310,652
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,409/mo
7% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,149/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3x
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 75.2%
Renter-occupied 24.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,409
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,023/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
28.9 min
7% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
82.1%
Carpooled
7.1%
Walked
0.9%
Work from home
5.7%

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
$57,644
23% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,707
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
24% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Labor Force Participation
42.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.2%
Graduate degree 7.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 54.6
Male median age 50.5
Female median age 59

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 37 — Good
92.6%
Good air days/yr
97
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
364
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17:1
Student-teacher ratio
61
Public schools
44,793
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Tavares, FL?

Tavares has a cost index of 87 (100 = national average). It is 13% below the national average.

What is average rent in Tavares, FL?

The median gross rent in Tavares is $1,409 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Tavares?

The median home value in Tavares is $225,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Tavares?

The median household income in Tavares is $57,644 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Tavares, FL?

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

Is Tavares, FL affordable?

Yes, Tavares is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 87 — about 13% below the US national average of 100.

Tavares at a Glance

Population
19,738
Median Income
$57,644
Home Value
$225,500
Median Rent
$1,409/mo
Unemployment
3.7%
Sales Tax
7.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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