Gainesville

Gainesville, Florida Overview

Gainesville faces challenges across several categories, earning a D grade (44.7/100) and ranking #19 of 20 cities in Florida. Even so, the city scores 75/100 in Affordability — a relative bright spot compared to its Fiscal Health score of 9/100.

Income & Employment in Gainesville

Gainesville’s median income of $47,099 is 34% below the state median, but positive population growth of 0.8% signals that affordability or other factors are still attracting residents. The local unemployment rate is 4.2%.

Safety in Gainesville

With a violent crime rate of 747.6 per 100,000, Gainesville exceeds the Florida average of 384. Safety is a factor prospective residents should weigh carefully. The property crime rate is 2927.6 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Gainesville

Gainesville has a cost of living index of 96.9 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly below the national benchmark. The median home value is $235,000. Median monthly rent is $1,214. Renters allocate 30.9% of income to rent — above the 30% affordability threshold.

Health & Wellness in Gainesville

The adult obesity rate in Gainesville is 31.2% (CDC PLACES). The diabetes prevalence rate is 8.8%. Residents report an average of 21.3 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Florida ranks #36 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Gainesville

Gainesville has a high school graduation rate of 90.4%. The student-teacher ratio is 18.5:1. Per-pupil spending is $11,075. The city has 33 public schools serving 21,729 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Gainesville

The annual average temperature in Gainesville is 70.6°F. Summers average 81°F. Winters average 60°F. Annual precipitation is 41.5 inches. The average commute of 16.8 minutes is notably short.

Frequently Asked Questions