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Gainesville, FL
Gainesville · Alachua County · FL 32601
Updated October 19, 2026 · Would You Live There?
Good for now
Verdict
$284K
Median Price
84/100
Walk Score
8.6/10
Schools
94 min
to Jacksonville, FL
Score Breakdown
FAffordability
15/100
D+Safety
55/100
B+Schools
86/100
DQuietness
40/100
FCommute
15/100
B+Walkability
84/100
WYLT Score49/100
Our Take
Gainesville offers good schools, a bikeable downtown and low flood risk, but the median income is very low compared with rent and home prices, and the student population brings noise and a high renter ratio. It’s a decent choice for those who can thrive in a college town, but families or retirees may find the cost and noise levels less attractive.
B.
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The Good
- ✓High quality public schools (avg rating 8.1)
- ✓Bikeable city with a 78 bike score
- ✓Low flood risk (X zone)
- ✓Affordability for students and young professionals
Real Talk
- !Median income is only about $29k, so most renters earn only a fraction of the rent cost
- !Student population means a lot of noise and transient residents
- !Property taxes and utility costs can be higher than in similar sized towns
- !Limited public transit can be a drawback for those without a car
- $Parking costs in downtown areas can be high, especially near university events
- $Property taxes tend to be higher in university towns to fund local services
- $Higher cost of groceries and dining out in the city center
Best For
studentsdigital nomadsfamilies looking for good schoolsretirees wanting a small-town feel
Risk Snapshot
Flood riskLow
Violent crimeModerate
Property crimeModerate
Air qualityModerate
Price volatilityModerate
Crime & Safety
Gainesville, FL
D+
Safety grade
Safety score55 / 100
High riskVery safe
⚠️Violent Crime
Moderate3.9incidents / 1,000 residents / yr
0Natl avg (3.7)11+
5% higher than the national average
🔒Property Crime
Moderate19.8incidents / 1,000 residents / yr
0Natl avg (19.5)59+
2% higher than the national average
Verify with real-time data
City-Data stats →From Residents
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