FloridaPop. 119,767Mid-size cities
Is Brandon a Good Place to Live? Brandon, Florida: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Brandon ranks #1033 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #195 of 256 mid-size cities and #60 of 80 in Florida. It sits near the middle of similar-size cities on income, costs, crime and commute.
Brandon by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Brandon's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Brandon: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Brandon safe?
What is the cost of living in Brandon?
Brandon's cost of living index is 100.9, 1% above the US level of 100 and #710 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,784/mo against $1,641/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $355,560, 5% below the typical Florida home ($375,470).
| Measure | Brandon | FloridaFL | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 101.8 · US 100 | 100.9#710 of 1,308 | 103 | 101.8 | 100 |
| Typical home value (Zillow)Zillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $439,863 · US $368,697 | $355,560#528 of 1,187 | $375,470 | $439,863 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rent (Zillow)Zillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,871/mo · US $1,948/mo | $1,643/mo#451 of 1,115 | — | $1,871/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $405,750 | $339,000#625 of 1,309 | — | $405,750 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,641/mo | $1,784/mo#952 of 1,309 | — | $1,641/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 5x | 4.3x#667 of 1,309 | — | 5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 23.9% | 26.9%#1144 of 1,309 | — | 23.9% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). Florida is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Brandon housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Brandon is in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro.
Florida housing market →Is Brandon safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Brandon alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Brandon crime rate or rank it on safety. Florida as a whole records 384 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 373 nationally.
What do people earn in Brandon?
The median household in Brandon earns $79,685, 4% above the US figure of $76,827 and 11% above Florida ($71,516). 11.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Brandon | FloridaFL | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $80,112 · US $76,827 | $79,685#622 of 1,312 | $71,516 | $80,112 | $76,827 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 12.6% | 11.4%#608 of 1,312 | — | 12.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). Florida is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Brandon?
The median resident of Brandon is 37.3 years old, against 36.7 in similar-size cities. 33.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #654 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 56.2% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Brandon | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 36.7 | 37.3 | 36.7 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 34% | 33.8%#654 of 1,312 | 34% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 56.7% | 56.2% | 56.7% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Brandon's schools and health?
Brandon's 10 public schools graduate 90% of students in four years (Florida 87%), with 18.9 students per teacher and $10,589 spent per pupil. 31.2% of adults are obese and 11.6% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 33.3% and 11.5%.
| Measure | Brandon | FloridaFL | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 88% | 90%#358 of 1,063 | 87% | 88% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 17.4 | 18.9#891 of 1,188 | — | 17.4 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $14,993 | $10,589#1108 of 1,188 | — | $14,993 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 33.3% | 31.2%#472 of 1,311 | — | 33.3% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.5% | 11.6%#715 of 1,311 | — | 11.5% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 17.5% | 17.1%#657 of 1,311 | — | 17.5% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.1% | 15.4%#1101 of 1,311 | — | 11.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). Florida is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 7,861 students are enrolled in Brandon's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Brandon?
The average commute in Brandon is 28.4 minutes (Florida 24.6); 0.2% of workers take transit and 18.1% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Brandon scores 9.6 of 20 (below average walkable), #729 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 83.2°F and winters 64.2°F, with 56.1 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Brandon | FloridaFL | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 24.6 min | 28.4 min#1022 of 1,312 | 24.6 min | 24.6 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6% | 7.5%#871 of 1,312 | 8.5% | 6% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.7% | 71.9% | 74.1% | 70.7% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1% | 0.2% | 1.3% | 1.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.6% | 0.7% | 1.4% | 1.6% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.3% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.3% | 18.1% | 11.9% | 13.3% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.6 | 9.6#729 of 1,312 | — | 11.6 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). Florida is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 74.8 | 50 | 3 |
| Feb | 77.8 | 52.8 | 2.3 |
| Mar | 81.4 | 55.9 | 2.8 |
| Apr | 86.2 | 60.9 | 2.9 |
| May | 90.8 | 66.6 | 4 |
| Jun | 92.9 | 71.9 | 9.7 |
| Jul | 93.8 | 73.4 | 8.7 |
| Aug | 93.5 | 73.7 | 8.9 |
| Sep | 92.1 | 72.4 | 7 |
| Oct | 87.3 | 66.1 | 2.6 |
| Nov | 80.9 | 57.9 | 1.8 |
| Dec | 76.8 | 53.3 | 2.5 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Plant City.
| Measure | Brandon | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 62.1°F | 74.3°F | 62.1°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 76.9°F | 83.2°F | 76.9°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 64.2°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.8 in | 56.1 in | 36.8 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Plant City.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Brandon?
Hillsborough County's air had a median air quality index of 49, and 53% of measured days were rated good; 2 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Hillsborough County's biggest natural hazard losses in hurricane, coastal flooding, and wildfire, with expected yearly losses of 0.17% of building value, higher than 60% of US counties.
| Measure | Brandon | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 46 | 49#814 of 1,138 | 46 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4 | 2#481 of 1,138 | 4 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.16% | 0.17%#797 of 1,312 | 0.16% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Hillsborough County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Hillsborough County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | 0.07% | 89% of counties |
| Coastal flooding | 0.0029% | 66% of counties |
| Wildfire | 0.0016% | 64% of counties |
| Hail | 0.0022% | 51% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.009% | 51% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.064% | 27% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Brandon compare with similar-size cities?
Brandon is one of 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track and ranks #195 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 119,767.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon, FLPop. 119,767 | #1033 | 49.4 | $79,685 | $1,784/mo | no data | 28.4 min |
| Hartford, CTPop. 121,127 | #1090 | 48.0 | $46,411 | $1,269/mo | 459 | 23.1 min |
| Wilmington, NCPop. 120,805 | #656 | 55.7 | $66,738 | $1,395/mo | 406 | 18.5 min |
| Berkeley, CAPop. 120,257 | #564 | 57.1 | $108,092 | $2,133/mo | 639 | 27.8 min |
| North Charleston, SCPop. 119,913 | #978 | 50.4 | $62,956 | $1,430/mo | 668 | 24.5 min |
| Billings, MTPop. 119,434 | #825 | 52.8 | $73,712 | $1,138/mo | 763 | 16.5 min |
| Cambridge, MAPop. 118,796 | #56 | 70.4 | $130,748 | $2,787/mo | 436 | 25.8 min |
| Richardson, TXPop. 118,731 | #270 | 62.7 | $98,111 | $1,857/mo | 138 | 23.6 min |
| Broken Arrow, OKPop. 118,180 | #370 | 60.5 | $86,765 | $1,320/mo | 198 | 21.9 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Brandon compare with the rest of Florida?
Brandon ranks #60 of the 80 Florida cities we track, with a score of 49.4 against Florida's statewide 52.8. Its households earn 11% above the Florida median. Homes are 5% below the typical Florida home.
| City | Rank in FL | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach Gardens, FLPop. 60,959 | #1 | 64.8 | $106,947 | $2,417/mo | 72 |
| Horizon West, FLPop. 67,416 | #2 | 64.0 | $127,335 | $2,464/mo | no data |
| Jupiter, FLPop. 61,883 | #3 | 62.6 | $110,240 | $2,381/mo | 126 |
| Doral, FLPop. 79,216 | #4 | 61.5 | $94,164 | $2,669/mo | 79 |
| North Port, FLPop. 84,605 | #5 | 61.2 | $84,049 | $1,894/mo | 102 |
| Wellington, FLPop. 62,146 | #6 | 61.1 | $115,632 | $2,562/mo | 90 |
| Boca Raton, FLPop. 100,234 | #7 | 61.0 | $106,273 | $2,508/mo | 113 |
| Apopka, FLPop. 58,232 | #8 | 59.4 | $96,884 | $1,969/mo | 408 |
| St. Cloud, FLPop. 65,130 | #9 | 58.8 | $83,174 | $1,683/mo | 141 |
| Delray Beach, FLPop. 67,979 | #10 | 58.5 | $82,041 | $1,961/mo | 292 |
| Tallahassee, FLPop. 201,875 | … #56 | 49.9 | $57,409 | $1,293/mo | 629 |
| The Hammocks, FLPop. 58,838 | #57 | 49.7 | $85,628 | $2,187/mo | no data |
| Deltona, FLPop. 97,334 | #58 | 49.6 | $76,924 | $1,711/mo | part year |
| Pompano Beach, FLPop. 114,147 | #59 | 49.5 | $67,195 | $1,724/mo | part year |
| Brandon, FLPop. 119,767 | #60 | 49.4 | $79,685 | $1,784/mo | no data |
| Margate, FLPop. 59,198 | #61 | 49.3 | $62,450 | $1,750/mo | part year |
| Gainesville, FLPop. 145,702 | #62 | 48.6 | $46,195 | $1,296/mo | 634 |
| Westchester, FLPop. 52,032 | #63 | 48.6 | $72,262 | $1,819/mo | no data |
| Town 'n' Country, FLPop. 85,928 | #64 | 48.5 | $73,538 | $1,734/mo | no data |
The top 10 of the 80 and the cities ranked either side of Brandon among the Florida cities we track, by overall score. Florida statewide: median income $71,516, violent crime 384 per 100,000.
How is Brandon's score calculated?
Brandon scores 49.4 out of 100, #1033 of 1,312 (grade C, which follows rank). It is scored on the 8 of 11 categories with local data; safety, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with Florida's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data, some inputs missing · 20% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Brandon. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 52.9.
38.9 - HealthCity data · 16% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Brandon. Similar-size median 53.8.
57.7 - EducationCity data · 16% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Brandon's public schools. Similar-size median 52.1.
47.5 - AffordabilityCity data · 13% of score
Brandon's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.1.
61.3 - Household financesCity data · 11% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Brandon. Similar-size median 51.2.
53.9 - TransportationCity data · 9% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Brandon. Similar-size median 50.1.
48.2 - WalkabilityCity data · 9% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Brandon's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 56.1.
45.3 - EnvironmentCounty data · 5% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 45.9.
41.0 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving Brandon alone.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Brandon.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Brandon's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Brandon has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Brandon
Is Brandon, FL a good place to live?
Brandon ranks #1033 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #195 of 256 mid-size cities and #60 of 80 in Florida. It sits near the middle of similar-size cities on income, costs, crime and commute.
What is the cost of living in Brandon?
Brandon's cost of living index is 100.9, 1% above the US level of 100 and #710 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,784/mo against $1,641/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $355,560, 5% below the typical Florida home ($375,470).
Is Brandon safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Brandon alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Brandon crime rate or rank it on safety. Florida as a whole records 384 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 373 nationally.
What is the median household income in Brandon?
The median household in Brandon earns $79,685, 4% above the US figure of $76,827 and 11% above Florida ($71,516). 11.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Brandon?
Median rent in Brandon is $1,784/mo (Census), #952 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Zillow's typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $1,643/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 26.9% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Brandon?
Zillow's typical home value in Brandon is $355,560, down 0.6% in a year, against $375,470 for Florida and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $339,000.
How are the public schools in Brandon?
Brandon's 10 public schools graduate 90% of students in four years (Florida 87%), with 18.9 students per teacher and $10,589 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Brandon?
The average commute is 28.4 minutes, #1022 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 24.6 minutes across Florida. 7.5% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Brandon?
Brandon averages 74.3°F over the year, 83.2°F in summer and 64.2°F in winter, with 56.1 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Brandon walkable?
Brandon scores 9.6 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #729 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Brandon at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Hillsborough County's biggest natural hazard losses in hurricane, coastal flooding, and wildfire, with expected yearly losses of 0.17% of building value, higher than 60% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Brandon?
Hillsborough County's air had a median air quality index of 49, and 53% of measured days were rated good; 2 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Brandon?
Brandon has 119,767 residents. The median resident of Brandon is 37.3 years old, against 36.7 in similar-size cities. 33.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #654 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 56.2% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Brandon compare with the rest of Florida?
Brandon ranks #60 of the 80 Florida cities we track, with a score of 49.4 against Florida's statewide 52.8. Its households earn 11% above the Florida median. Homes are 5% below the typical Florida home.
What cities are similar in size to Brandon?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Brandon's population of 119,767 are Hartford, CT (#1090 overall), Wilmington, NC (#656 overall), Berkeley, CA (#564 overall), North Charleston, SC (#978 overall), and Billings, MT (#825 overall). Brandon is #1033.