How Much Does It Cost to Live In Gainesville, FL?
Gainesville is a city located in Alachua County, North Central Florida. It is home to the University of Florida and Santa Fe College.
It really isn’t that big of a city – it is more of a huge college town.
Gainesville is considered a good town to raise a family – that is don’t live anywhere near the campus because – you really don’t want to live by students.
Gainesville is the home of the University of Florida and, as already mentioned, a university town in every sense.
It entirely depends on you, but it’s safe to assume that Gainesville is an economic town for an ordinary person.
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RESTAURANTS
As a college town, Gainesville has few good restaurants because college students tend not to be discriminating eaters.
The few ‘good’ restaurants which exist aren’t exactly because there is neither strong competition nor demand for their services and so even ‘good’ restaurants are mediocre.
MARKETS
Your best bet is to teach yourself to be a good cook. Publix is a decent supermarket and Target and WalMart sell some groceries too, mostly just commodities: canned goods, dry goods, milk, butter, eggs etc.
There is now a Trader Joe’s too, but it caters to regional tastes, so its inventory tends to be different.
A local family runs a small market called Ward’s, which sells local and specialty items.
It’s probably the most interesting place to shop for food in Gainesville.
TRANSPORTATION
The connectivity to different parts of the town is well managed by bus services.
Gainesville Regional Transit System provides fast frequent service throughout the city and to some of the outlying areas.
Bus service is provided on 35+ routes.
Transportation services aren’t expensive at all, costing only around 2.50$ for a one-way ticket.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
The biggest expense in Gainesville is power during summer.
During June, July and August expect a 400$ bill, since the utilities are owned by the city and are its piggy bank.
For a bit larger apartment, of about 85m2, during other months, all basic utilities like heating, cooling, electricity, and gas will cost you around 257.55$.
SPORTS & LEISURE
When it comes to fitness and sports, you should know that practicing sports or going to the gym in Gainesville isn’t too expensive.
A gym or a fitness club membership will cost you around 36$, while going to the cinema and enjoying some movie time is a bit more expensive than what is the norm.
Prepare to pay 15$ per ticket.
CLOTHING & SHOES
One of the main shopping complexes is at Buttler Plaza.
The town also has Oaks Mall and the prices are reasonable and expected for an American city: quality jeans will cost you only around 58$, and you won’t find any good running sneakers without cashing out close to 85$.
RENT PER MONTH
The cost of housing is a little higher because of the college proximity, though it really depends on where you want to rent your apartment and how big it’s going to be.
If you intend to rent something in the center of Gainesville, you will have to pay around 1,293.22$ and upwards for a small apartment.
A spacious apartment or a house will cost you from 3000$ and upwards.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Gainesville, FL
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $17.50 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $4.00 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.72 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.32 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $4.31 |
| Eggs (12) | $4.25 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $2.50 |
| Monthly Pass | $35.00 |
| Gasoline | $0.91 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $257.55 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.10 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $87.75 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $36.43 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $ |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $15.00 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $57.25 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $60.00 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $85.00 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $1293.22 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $1059.38 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $3000.00 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Gainesville, FL?
As expected, food is definitely the biggest expense for anyone living in Gainesville – though this is the situation in most countries around the world.
The next high expense for an average person living in this university city is rent, with high prices of rooms and apartments in the cities and outside of them alike.
Don’t forget other significant expenses for the people that live here, like restaurants and transportation.
Clothing and shoes draw the least amount of money from the citizens of Gainesville.
Average Costs Breakdown
Gainesville, FL: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
As far as jobs go, it is difficult because college students have all the low-level jobs.
However, if you work for the University of Florida or one of the hospitals, you can consider yourself lucky.
Wages seem to be quite low compared to the cost of living, and there are many jobs paid a minimum wage that might be higher paid if there were not so many students doing these jobs for less money.
The average monthly net salary is around 3,061.11$ while the minimum wage is around 1400$ which, although low, is enough to lead a relatively comfortable life in Gainesville.
Gainesville Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Gainesville Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
