Orlando vs Miami Which City is Better for Living? (2024)

22nd of June 2022

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There have always been concerns for people moving to Florida if they should live in Orlandoor Miami, two of the most popular cities. Each has its strong and weak points, making eachideal for a different set of people. When deciding where to live between Orlando and Miami,essential aspects include housing, cost of living, job market, education, transportation,food, leisure activities, and weather, among many options.

Both cities are hotspots for tourists, bringing them from around the world. Orlando hasmany family destinations like the water parks, Disney World, and Universal studios, whileMiami is a beach heaven, with parties and many fun things to do. It is also close to Biscaynebay and has many hotels like the Kimpton Surfcomber hotel. Read on to find out how these citiescompare against each other.

Housing

Housing has always been a significant difference between Orlando and Miami. While they bothoffer great architectural designs and excellent neighborhoods, with art deco buildings inboth cities, Miami takes the crown for its presence. On average, housing in Miami costs34.5% more than in Orlando. Monthly rent in Orlando averages around $1,736, while Miamiis around $2,239, which is significantly higher than the US average of $1,681.

Purchasing houses also costs significantly more in Miami. The median cost of a single-familyhome in Orlando cost about $294,400, $398,100 in Miami, and $291,700 in the US. There areonly a limited number of low-cost houses in Miami, as most of them are more inclined towardhigh-end luxury apartments. Luxury apartments in Miami can cost as much as $25 million, whileit ranges between $200,000 and about $1 million in highly desirable areas like College Parkin Orlando.

We recommend Orlando because of its low-cost housing, which is not readily available in Miami.However, if you have more than enough money to pay and want to be close to the beachfront,Miami is the place for you.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Orlando is slightly higher than the average cost of the US, whileMiami is significantly higher than the US. Miami is 18.3% more expensive to live in thanOrlando. The utilities in Orlando cost more than in Miami. However, other determinants ofthe cost of living, like Food & Groceries, health, transportation, and housing, costsignificantly more in Miami.

Orlando is more family-friendly, with most of its determinants of the cost of living closeto the average cost of living in the US. Miami is more on the high end, with its cost ofliving significantly more than the average in the US. Excluding rent, a family of four wouldspend about $3,433.77 in a month in Orlando.

We recommend living in Orlando concerning the cost of living, as it is generally lowerthan in Miami. The standard of living $5,334.59 affords you in Orlando will require$6,700 in Miami.

Job Market

The job market in Miami is favorable and has been positive over the past few years. Inthe last ten years, the job market in Miami has grown by 17.9%. On the other hand, Orlandohas also seen a growth of about 15.7%, which is significantly higher than the US averageof 6.3%. The unemployment rate in Miami is estimated at 8.3%, and Orlando at 5.8%, whichare both higher than the US average of 6.0%. The average household's income in Miami is$33,999, while Orlando has $45,436. These are both low when compared to the US average of$57,652.

We recommend Orlando's job market over Miami. Although Miami has a higher employment rate,its household income is lower than in Orlando.

Education

The education in Miami is a little more expensive than in Orlando, which probably explainswhy there are more graduates in Orlando than in Miami. Miami spends $8,725 on education perstudent, which is about 1.1% higher than Orlando, which spends $8,003. Miami has a ratio of17.4 pupils to one teacher, about 9.5% higher than Orlando at 15.9, bearing in mind that alower ratio is better.

In Orlando, 10.7% of the population are two-year college graduates, and 35.8% are four-yearcollege graduates. Miami has a slightly lower percentage: 7.0% are two-year college graduatesand 26.3% are four-year college graduates. Miami has 3.1% of its population with aprofessional degree, while Orlando has only 2.6%.

Transportation Options

Transportation options in the cities include driving alone, carpooling, mass transit, bicycleand walking, with driving alone being the most common. About 78.3% of the commuters drivealone in Orlando and 70.0% in Miami. The average commute time in Orlando is 25 minutes and28 minutes in Miami. Miami has 10.9% of its commuters taking mass transit schemes and4.2% in Orlando.

Miami's transportation costs significantly more than in Orlando. Miami transport in a monthcosts $112, which is about 124% more than the $50 it costs in Orlando. A single transportticket costs $2 in Orlando and $2.50.

We recommend both Orlando and Miami in this case. While Orlando is recommended for itslow transport cost, the longer commute time in Miami can give you enough time to enjoy thebeauty of Miami streets if you can bear the traffic.

Cuisine & City Culture

These cities' cuisine and culture are diverse and apply to different audiences. Orlando ismore dedicated to native American cuisine, with restaurants like Cork & Fork AmericanaKitchen, Yard Café, and Five Guys Burgers at the forefront.

Miami does not come close to Orlando when American cuisine is concerned. Miami is moreinclined towards Latin American cuisine, with most of its cuisine being Cuban food or inspiredby Latin culture. Miami is popularly called the Heart of Latin America, and visitors can getthe best of Latin food at Versailles restaurant. The city culture in Miami is also greatlyinfluenced by Latin culture, with entire neighbourhoods like Little Havana dedicated toCuban culture. Some of its signature dishes are stone crabs, grilled fish sandwiches,Arepas, ceviche, the Cuban sandwich, Key lime Pie, and Mofongo.

In this case, we recommend both Miami and Orlando, depending on your preference. Miamiis the place to go for a little cultural mix between Cuba and Latin America. Orlando ismore native American. Also, in terms of accessibilities and affordability when it comesto fast food, Orlando tops the chart.

Leisure Activities & Nightlife

Orlando and Miami become increasingly different when leisure and nightlife are concerned.Orlando is a more family-friendly destination with many theme parks, the most prominentbeing Disney World and Universal Orlando resort, which contains the famous Universalstudios, and Volcano bay, among others, making it the world's theme park capital.

Miami, on the other hand, is known for its vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches.People visit Miami to enjoy the beautiful beaches like Miami beach and South beach,among many others. Many art museums and street art are also spread across the city.When night falls, the city comes alive with its vibrant nightlife, where its inhabitantsand visitors can enjoy entertainment at the beach and clubs.

We recommend Miami for people interested in beaches and nightlife and Orlando forquality family time. The highlight of visiting Orlando happens in the daytime in itsnumerous theme parks, while those who visit Miami look forward to its beaches andnightlife.

Weather

The weather in Orlando and Miami is similar, as they are both located in SouthAmerica. They have warm summers with no snow and a more tropical climate than therest of the US. Orlando is generally cooler than Miami, with lower sunshine intensityand temperatures, except during the peak of summer. Miami and Orlando havesignificantly higher yearly rainfall than the average in the US. Orlando experiences52.1 inches, and Miami witnesses 59.3 inches, higher than the average of 38.1inches US experiences.

The cities experience significantly higher sunshine in summer than other parts ofthe US. The high sunlight brings visitors to explore the parks in Orlando andbeaches in Miami. They also get lots of visitors due to their warm weather in winter.

We recommend both cities in this case, as they both have similar weather conditionsand favour outdoor activities.

Safety

Safety is just around the average and is more violent than the average violencerate in America. On a scale of 1 to 100, 1 being the least violent and 100 beingthe most violent. The average violence rate in the US is about 22.7, with Orlandobeing 44.1 and Miami being 48.8. Both cities have high property crime and citizensof both of them worry about homes being broken into. The US average is 35.4,Orlando is 81, and Miami is 62.7.

The odds of being a victim of violent crime in Orlando is 1 in 121, while 1 in 167people are victims of violent crimes in Miami. As for property crimes, 1 in 34people are victims in Miami, and 1 in 27 people are victims in Orlando.

We recommend Miami in terms of safety. Although the odds of being victims of acrime in these cities are relatively high, Miami is a little safer compared to Orlando.

The Overview of Orlando vs Miami: Pros & Cons

The age-long debate about a better place to visit or stay between Orlando and Miamicannot be answered in one shot. Orlando and Miami appeal to different sets ofindividuals and depending on your category, each of these cities may appeal toyou. Miami is a better choice for young couples and friend groups for nightlifeand beach. Orlando is more family-friendly with its numerous theme parks.

Orlando Pros

The pros of choosing Orlando include

Orlando Cons

Driving in this city can be tiring, with many drivers and tourists on the road,causing traffic and leading to higher commute time.
The wildlife here thrives, and there are bugs and insects all around.
If you do not like engaging with tourists or new individuals, living inOrlando may be a little tasking.

Miami Pros

Miami is active at night, with parties at renowned clubs and on the beach.
Miami has excellent weather all year round, including winter.
It has lower taxes and can save its occupants thousands of dollars annually.
Many restaurants have food influenced by Latin America, giving you a taste ofmany cultures in one place.

Miami Cons

The average accommodation cost is higher than the average in Florida and the US.
Miami has a slim job market and has a lower average salary than Orlando.
Traffic is a huge concern here, as it welcomes many tourists worldwide.

The Verdict: Is It Better to Live in Orlando or Miami?

Orlando offers an affordable cost of living, a favorable job market, and a highersalary range than Miami, making it a better place to live. Orlando is better forfamily life and raising children.

While Miami is a better choice for parties and nightlife. It is an excellent place for visitorsto have fun at the beach and nightclubs. It is also a great place to have food fromMexico without visiting the country. Bear in mind that you’ll need toobtain a Miami ESTA visato visit this city and see why it’s so praised and popular.

On the other hand, traffic in these cities can be quite unbearable, they have ahigher crime rate than the US average, and the sun may become excessive in summer.

FAQs

Orlando and Miami are both excellent places depending on what you want.Orlando boasts a superb environment ideal for family and includes attractionslike Disney springs. Miami is better for parties and nightlife.

Orlando is better for kids. It has many parks for families to visit, withpremium entertainment and fun activities for kids.

By landmass, Orlando is bigger than Miami. Miami has a land area of143.1km², while Orlando has 308.4 km².

In the peak of summer, Orlando is usually hotter than Miami by a few degrees.However, at other times, Orlando is generally cooler than Miami.

The average household in Orlando makes more money than in Miami.Orlando makes about 20% more than Miami.

Written by Abisola Fikayomi

Abisola is an accomplished writer interested in US Travel, immigration, passportsand visas. She’s passionate about exploring new places and cultures and willing to shareher experiences, expertize and findings with others. That is her primary drive forspecialising in this industry.

As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intricacies between different cities and their unique characteristics, I can provide valuable insights into the comparison between Orlando and Miami. The article you've shared delves into various aspects that individuals often consider when choosing a place to live. Let's break down the concepts discussed:

Housing:
- Orlando and Miami both offer great architectural designs and neighborhoods, but Miami is more expensive, with housing costing 34.5% more than in Orlando.
- Orlando has a lower cost of housing, making it more recommended for those on a budget.
Cost of Living:
- Miami is 18.3% more expensive to live in than Orlando.
- Orlando is considered more family-friendly with a lower overall cost of living compared to Miami.
Job Market:
- Both cities have seen growth in their job markets, with Orlando having a higher growth rate (15.7%) than Miami (17.9%) over the last ten years.
- Despite a higher employment rate, Miami has a lower average household income than Orlando.
Education:
- Education in Miami is slightly more expensive than in Orlando.
- Orlando has a higher percentage of college graduates, making it more favorable for education.
Transportation:
- Orlando has a higher percentage of commuters driving alone (78.3%) compared to Miami (70.0%).
- Transportation costs are significantly lower in Orlando, making it a recommended choice.
Cuisine & City Culture:
- Orlando is more dedicated to native American cuisine, while Miami leans towards Latin American cuisine.
- Recommendations depend on personal preferences; Orlando for native American cuisine and Miami for a mix of Cuban and Latin American flavors.
Leisure Activities & Nightlife:
- Orlando is known for family-friendly theme parks, while Miami offers vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches.
- Recommendations are based on preferences; Orlando for family time and Miami for nightlife and beaches.
Weather:
- Both cities have warm, tropical climates with higher rainfall than the U.S. average.
- Similar weather conditions make both cities suitable for outdoor activities.
Safety:
- Both cities have higher violence and property crime rates than the U.S. average, with Miami being considered slightly safer.
Pros & Cons Overview:
- Orlando pros include an affordable cost of living, a favorable job market, and a higher salary range, making it better for family life.
- Miami is better for parties, nightlife, and beach activities, but it has higher accommodation costs and a narrower job market.

In summary, the choice between Orlando and Miami depends on individual priorities and preferences, whether it's family-friendly living, vibrant nightlife, or other factors mentioned in the article.