FloridaPop. 83,498Smaller cities
Is The Villages a Good Place to Live? The Villages, Florida: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
The Villages ranks #684 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #301 of 524 smaller cities and #28 of 80 in Florida. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low living costs (85.4, #4 of 524) and low poverty (4.7%, #32 of 524), with no measure in the bottom quarter.
The Villages by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with The Villages'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 The Villages: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is The Villages safe?
What is the cost of living in The Villages?
The Villages's cost of living index is 85.4, 15% below the US level of 100 and #37 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,397/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $392,083, 4% above the typical Florida home ($375,470).
| Measure | The Villages | FloridaFL | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 102.4 · US 100 | 85.4#37 of 1,308 | 103 | 102.4 | 100 |
| Typical home value (Zillow)Zillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $431,438 · US $368,697 | $392,083#607 of 1,187 | $375,470 | $431,438 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rent (Zillow)Zillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,884/mo · US $1,948/mo | $2,145/mo#779 of 1,115 | — | $1,884/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $401,950 | $400,100#788 of 1,309 | — | $401,950 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,633/mo | $1,397/mo#638 of 1,309 | — | $1,633/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.5x | 5.2x#881 of 1,309 | — | 4.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 22.2% | 21.6%#632 of 1,309 | — | 22.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 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.
The Villages 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. The Villages is in the The Villages, FL metro.
Florida housing market →Is The Villages safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for The Villages alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a The Villages 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 The Villages?
The median household in The Villages earns $77,622, 1% above the US figure of $76,827 and 9% above Florida ($71,516). 4.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | The Villages | FloridaFL | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $83,646 · US $76,827 | $77,622#660 of 1,312 | $71,516 | $83,646 | $76,827 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.8% | 4.7%#89 of 1,312 | — | 10.8% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Florida is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in The Villages?
The median resident of The Villages is 74.1 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 42.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #393 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 93.3% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | The Villages | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.7 | 74.1 | 37.7 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 35.1% | 42.8%#393 of 1,312 | 35.1% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 61.7% | 93.3% | 61.7% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are The Villages's schools and health?
We have too few school records for The Villages to describe its public schools. 27% of adults are obese and 17.3% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 31.9% and 11%.
| Measure | The Villages | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 31.9% | 27%#225 of 1,311 | 31.9% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11% | 17.3%#1270 of 1,311 | 11% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.7% | 8.9%#1 of 1,311 | 16.7% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.1% | 6%#145 of 1,311 | 10.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
What are the commute and weather like in The Villages?
The average commute in The Villages is 21.2 minutes (Florida 24.6); 0.4% of workers take transit and 28.2% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index The Villages scores 8.6 of 20 (below average walkable), #912 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 82.7°F and winters 61.4°F, with 43.8 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | The Villages | FloridaFL | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 25.1 min | 21.2 min#441 of 1,312 | 24.6 min | 25.1 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6.5% | 4%#391 of 1,312 | 8.5% | 6.5% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.8% | 55.6% | 74.1% | 70.8% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1% | 0.4% | 1.3% | 1.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.4% | 2.8% | 1.4% | 1.4% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 0% | 0.5% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.7% | 28.2% | 11.9% | 13.7% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.1 | 8.6#912 of 1,312 | — | 11.1 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 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 | 69.9 | 48.9 | 2.5 |
| Feb | 73.3 | 52 | 2.1 |
| Mar | 77.3 | 56 | 3.2 |
| Apr | 82.7 | 61.7 | 2 |
| May | 88.1 | 67.7 | 2.7 |
| Jun | 90.7 | 73.1 | 7 |
| Jul | 91.1 | 74.9 | 5.9 |
| Aug | 91.7 | 75 | 6.6 |
| Sep | 89.7 | 73.1 | 5.2 |
| Oct | 84.5 | 66.1 | 2.6 |
| Nov | 77.3 | 57.1 | 1.8 |
| Dec | 72.4 | 52 | 2.2 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Leesburg Muni Airport.
| Measure | The Villages | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 58.1°F | 72.8°F | 58.1°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 74.2°F | 82.7°F | 74.2°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 40.8°F | 61.4°F | 40.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 38.3 in | 43.8 in | 38.3 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Leesburg Muni Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in The Villages?
The EPA has no air-quality monitor in The Villages's county, so we have no air reading for it. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Sumter County's biggest natural hazard losses in hurricane, wildfire, and strong wind, with expected yearly losses of 0.18% of building value, higher than 67% of US counties.
| Measure | The Villages | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.15% | 0.18%#864 of 1,312 | 0.15% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Sumter County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Sumter County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | 0.072% | 89% of counties |
| Wildfire | 0.0048% | 77% of counties |
| Strong wind | 0.0044% | 71% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.0079% | 47% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.073% | 40% 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 The Villages compare with similar-size cities?
The Villages is one of 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track and ranks #301 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 83,498.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Villages, FLPop. 83,498 | #684 | 55.3 | $77,622 | $1,397/mo | no data | 21.2 min |
| Brooklyn Park, MNPop. 83,876 | #319 | 61.6 | $89,891 | $1,325/mo | 348 | 21.3 min |
| Mountain View, CAPop. 83,732 | #175 | 65.1 | $189,917 | $3,062/mo | 208 | 23.3 min |
| Farmington Hills, MIPop. 83,515 | #159 | 65.8 | $104,836 | $1,551/mo | 144 | 24.7 min |
| Frederick, MDPop. 83,395 | #235 | 63.5 | $97,069 | $1,764/mo | 390 | 30 min |
| Layton, UTPop. 83,286 | #303 | 62.0 | $102,480 | $1,538/mo | 141 | 22.9 min |
| Cranston, RIPop. 83,250 | #208 | 64.2 | $90,206 | $1,375/mo | 89 | 24.3 min |
| Warner Robins, GAPop. 82,990 | #764 | 53.9 | $66,970 | $1,212/mo | 513 | 22.2 min |
| Longview, TXPop. 82,923 | #941 | 51.1 | $63,340 | $1,101/mo | 346 | 20.7 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 The Villages compare with the rest of Florida?
The Villages ranks #28 of the 80 Florida cities we track, with a score of 55.3 against Florida's statewide 52.8. Its households earn 9% above the Florida median. Homes are 4% above 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 |
| Miami Beach, FLPop. 82,031 | … #24 | 56.0 | $72,856 | $1,826/mo | part year |
| Tampa, FLPop. 401,618 | #25 | 55.8 | $75,475 | $1,701/mo | 334 |
| Largo, FLPop. 82,617 | #26 | 55.5 | $62,096 | $1,618/mo | 254 |
| Miami, FLPop. 459,745 | #27 | 55.3 | $62,462 | $1,758/mo | 358 |
| The Villages, FLPop. 83,498 | #28 | 55.3 | $77,622 | $1,397/mo | no data |
| Sanford, FLPop. 63,730 | #29 | 55.0 | $66,891 | $1,609/mo | 530 |
| Pinellas Park, FLPop. 53,560 | #30 | 54.8 | $63,432 | $1,631/mo | 247 |
| West Palm Beach, FLPop. 122,290 | #31 | 54.4 | $73,446 | $1,772/mo | 493 |
| Bonita Springs, FLPop. 55,904 | #32 | 53.6 | $95,210 | $1,882/mo | no data |
The top 10 of the 80 and the cities ranked either side of The Villages among the Florida cities we track, by overall score. Florida statewide: median income $71,516, violent crime 384 per 100,000.
How is The Villages's score calculated?
The Villages scores 55.3 out of 100, #684 of 1,312 (grade C+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 7 of 11 categories with local data; safety, education, 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 · 24% of score
Median household income and unemployment in The Villages. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 55.5.
37.1 - HealthCity data · 19% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in The Villages. Similar-size median 58.9.
66.1 - AffordabilityCity data · 16% of score
The Villages's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.3.
72.4 - Household financesCity data · 13% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in The Villages. Similar-size median 56.1.
65.4 - TransportationCity data · 11% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in The Villages. Similar-size median 50.0.
67.8 - WalkabilityCity data · 11% of score
The EPA's walkability index across The Villages's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 53.2.
40.0 - EnvironmentCity data, some inputs missing · 6% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 50.8.
33.1 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving The Villages alone.
— - EducationNot scored
Too few school records for The Villages.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for The Villages.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: The Villages's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories The Villages 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 The Villages
Is The Villages, FL a good place to live?
The Villages ranks #684 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #301 of 524 smaller cities and #28 of 80 in Florida. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low living costs (85.4, #4 of 524) and low poverty (4.7%, #32 of 524), with no measure in the bottom quarter.
What is the cost of living in The Villages?
The Villages's cost of living index is 85.4, 15% below the US level of 100 and #37 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,397/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $392,083, 4% above the typical Florida home ($375,470).
Is The Villages safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for The Villages alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a The Villages 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 The Villages?
The median household in The Villages earns $77,622, 1% above the US figure of $76,827 and 9% above Florida ($71,516). 4.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in The Villages?
Median rent in The Villages is $1,397/mo (Census), #638 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Zillow's typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $2,145/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 21.6% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in The Villages?
Zillow's typical home value in The Villages is $392,083, down 1.1% in a year, against $375,470 for Florida and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $400,100.
How are the public schools in The Villages?
We have too few school records for The Villages to describe its public schools.
How long is the commute in The Villages?
The average commute is 21.2 minutes, #441 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 24.6 minutes across Florida. 4% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in The Villages?
The Villages averages 72.8°F over the year, 82.7°F in summer and 61.4°F in winter, with 43.8 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is The Villages walkable?
The Villages scores 8.6 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #912 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 The Villages at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Sumter County's biggest natural hazard losses in hurricane, wildfire, and strong wind, with expected yearly losses of 0.18% of building value, higher than 67% of US counties.
Who lives in The Villages?
The Villages has 83,498 residents. The median resident of The Villages is 74.1 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 42.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #393 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 93.3% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does The Villages compare with the rest of Florida?
The Villages ranks #28 of the 80 Florida cities we track, with a score of 55.3 against Florida's statewide 52.8. Its households earn 9% above the Florida median. Homes are 4% above the typical Florida home.
What cities are similar in size to The Villages?
The tracked cities in other states closest to The Villages's population of 83,498 are Brooklyn Park, MN (#319 overall), Mountain View, CA (#175 overall), Farmington Hills, MI (#159 overall), Frederick, MD (#235 overall), and Layton, UT (#303 overall). The Villages is #684.