Rent vs Buy, County by County
The rent-versus-buy gap is the core decision in this market, and it is different in every Florida county. Pick a county and compare the true monthly cost of owning the typical home against the typical asking rent, with real taxes, insurance, and your own rate.
Your scenario
The comparison
Why this differs so much by county
Two Florida counties with similar home prices can have very different ownership costs, because millage rates and insurance premiums vary county to county, while rents follow their own market. Coastal counties often carry insurance premiums two or three times inland levels; some inland counties tax higher. That is why a statewide rent-vs-buy rule of thumb misleads, and why this tool prices each county separately.
Common questions
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Florida right now?
In most Florida counties the monthly cost of owning a typical home currently exceeds the typical rent, once taxes, insurance, and maintenance are counted. The gap varies a lot by county, which is exactly what this calculator shows.
What does the rent vs buy comparison include?
Owning: principal and interest at your rate and down payment, property taxes at the county's typical millage with the homestead exemption, the county's average Citizens insurance premium, and a maintenance reserve. Renting: the county's typical asking rent (Zillow ZORI). It does not model appreciation, rent growth, or tax deductions.
What is the price-to-rent ratio and why does it matter?
It is the typical home value divided by a year of typical rent. Above roughly 20, renting tends to win on monthly cost; below 15, buying tends to win. Florida counties currently span a wide range.
Does this mean I should wait to buy?
Not necessarily. Monthly cost is one input; how long you will stay, price direction, rate buydowns, and negotiated credits can change the answer. In today's market, builders and sellers are offering meaningful concessions that this calculator lets you test with the price field.
Where does the data come from?
Typical home values and asking rents are Zillow's ZHVI and ZORI county indexes; millage is verified against county adopted budgets; insurance is the average Citizens Property Insurance premium by county. Every figure changes over time.
Digging deeper? Run the simple rent-vs-buy calculator, compare two counties end to end with the county move calculator, check insurance costs by county, or estimate a purchase with the mortgage payment calculator.
Estimates only. Typical home value is Zillow’s ZHVI and typical asking rent is Zillow’s ZORI for each county, credit Zillow; property tax uses each county’s verified typical millage with the homestead exemption; insurance is the average Citizens Property Insurance premium by county (April 2026) and private-market premiums differ; maintenance reserve assumed at 1% of price per year. Does not model appreciation, rent growth, HOA/CDD fees, PMI, or tax deductions. Not financial advice. Equal Housing Opportunity.