Ocala 69 Good
Ocala Livability #491 ranked city in Florida#9,026 ranked city in the USARanks better than 69% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Ocala

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Crime Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.

  • Ratings Ratings

    AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.

What's it like Living in Ocala?

Ocala is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Florida. The city has a population of 61,352 residents. According to the most recent Census, 73% of Ocala residents are White, 19% Black and 3% Asian. Ocala is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 48% married, this city falls well below the national average. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Ocala. With an average one way commute time of only 20 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Ocala, Florida. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like crime, commute, health & safety, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Ocala and in the areas around Ocala is a much easier task.

Ocala, FL receives 71 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #387 in Florida and #6,225 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we see that Ocala ranks very well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). Ocala does not rank well for the following: amenities (F) and employment (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Ocala market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Ocala real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Ocala. The median home price for Ocala homes is $265,096, which is 11.5% lower than the Florida average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Ocala, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.3, which is 2.4% higher than the Florida average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Ocala

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      Ocala transportation information

      Statistic Ocala Florida National
      Average one way commute20min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.1%79.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.3%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.7%2.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.2%1.5%2.8%
      Working from home7.2%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Ocala, FL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.