Want to move to Kissimmee, Florida? You’re not alone. Thousands of people are leaving crowded cities every year for the sunshine, lower taxes, and easy access to Disney World. But here’s the real question: how much do you need to make to live in Kissimmee without stressing over rent, groceries, or car payments?
Let’s cut through the noise. You don’t need a six-figure salary to live comfortably here-but you also can’t survive on minimum wage. The numbers are clearer than you think.
What You’ll Actually Pay for Rent
Rent in Kissimmee isn’t cheap, but it’s nowhere near Miami or Orlando’s prices. A one-bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood averages $1,600 a month. Two bedrooms? Around $1,900. If you’re willing to live a little farther out-say, near the 192 or near the airport-you can find units for $1,300 to $1,500. But those often come with older AC units, slower internet, or longer commutes.
Utilities aren’t expensive either. Electricity runs about $120-$160 a month in summer because of AC. In winter, it drops to $80. Water and trash are usually $50-$70. Add internet at $60, and you’re looking at $300-$350 in monthly bills.
Food, Gas, and Daily Stuff
Groceries in Kissimmee cost about the same as the national average. A family of four spends roughly $800-$1,000 a month on food. You’ll find good deals at Publix, Walmart, and local Hispanic markets where produce is cheaper. A gallon of milk is $3.80, a dozen eggs $2.90, and ground beef $5.50 per pound.
Gas prices? Right now, they’re hovering around $2.90 a gallon. That’s lower than most of the country. If you drive to Disney World or Orlando for work, you’re looking at 15-25 miles each way. A 20-mile daily commute adds up to about $120 a month in gas.
Car insurance is another surprise. Florida is one of the most expensive states for auto insurance. In Kissimmee, you’re looking at $180-$250 a month for full coverage on a standard sedan. That’s $2,160-$3,000 a year. No way around it-this is one of your biggest monthly costs after rent.
Healthcare and Other Bills
Health insurance through an employer? Great. If you’re buying it yourself, you’ll pay $400-$600 a month for a decent plan with a $3,000 deductible. Without insurance, a doctor visit can cost $200-$400. Dental and vision are extra. Most people pay $30-$50 a month for those.
Property taxes? Low. Florida has no state income tax, and Kissimmee’s property tax rate is around 0.8% of home value. So if you buy a $250,000 house, you’ll pay about $2,000 a year in taxes-$165 a month. That’s a big win.
What a Real Budget Looks Like
Here’s a realistic monthly budget for one person living alone in Kissimmee:
- Rent (1-bedroom): $1,600
- Utilities (electric, water, internet): $320
- Car insurance: $215
- Gas: $120
- Groceries: $400
- Health insurance: $450
- Phone: $50
- Entertainment, dining out, clothes: $300
- Savings / emergency fund: $200
Total: $3,655 per month.
That’s $43,860 a year before taxes. Since Florida has no state income tax, you’d need to earn around $45,000-$48,000 a year to cover all this comfortably. That’s the number you should aim for.
What If You’re a Family?
Now let’s say you’re a family of three-two adults, one child. Your rent jumps to $1,900. Groceries go up to $1,000. Health insurance for three? Around $800 a month. Car insurance for two cars? $450. Gas? $200. Childcare? That’s the big one. Full-time daycare in Kissimmee runs $900-$1,200 a month.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Rent: $1,900
- Utilities: $350
- Two car insurance: $450
- Two cars gas: $200
- Groceries: $1,000
- Health insurance: $800
- Childcare: $1,050
- Phone: $80
- Entertainment, clothes, savings: $500
Total: $6,330 per month. That’s $76,000 a year before taxes.
That’s not impossible. But it’s a stretch if both adults are working hourly jobs. You need at least one person making $45,000+ and the other making $35,000+ to breathe easy. If one person is self-employed or works part-time, you’ll need to cut back hard on eating out, vacations, and new clothes.
Jobs That Pay Well in Kissimmee
What kind of jobs can get you there?
- Registered nurse: $65,000-$80,000
- HVAC technician: $50,000-$70,000
- Software support specialist: $55,000-$75,000
- Police officer: $50,000-$65,000
- Walmart supervisor: $45,000-$55,000
- Disney World cast member (non-entry level): $35,000-$50,000
Entry-level jobs at Disney, Target, or restaurants pay $15-$17 an hour. That’s $31,200-$35,360 a year. You can survive on that if you live with roommates, drive an old car, and skip health insurance-but you won’t save anything. And if your car breaks down or you get sick, you’re in trouble.
Where People Are Cutting Corners
Many newcomers think Kissimmee is a bargain. It is-until they realize:
- Car insurance is brutal. You can’t skip it.
- There’s no public transit. You need a car. Two if you have kids.
- Summer humidity means AC is non-negotiable. Your electric bill will spike.
- Storms happen. Flood insurance isn’t required, but if you live near a drainage ditch, you’ll regret not getting it.
- Childcare is more expensive than rent in some cases.
People who do well here are the ones who plan ahead. They buy used cars with cash. They shop at Aldi. They get health insurance through their job. They don’t assume Disney World jobs pay enough to live on.
Can You Live on ,000 a Year?
Technically, yes. But you’ll be living paycheck to paycheck. You’ll skip doctor visits. You’ll drive a 12-year-old car with bad tires. You won’t be able to take a vacation. One emergency-like a broken AC in July or a dental root canal-could wipe you out.
If you’re single, young, and have no debt, $35,000 might work for a year or two. But if you want stability, savings, or to buy a home, you need more.
Can You Live on $60,000 a Year?
Yes. Easily. At $60,000, you’re above the median income for Kissimmee. You can afford a two-bedroom apartment, a newer car, decent health insurance, and still save $300-$500 a month. You can take a family trip to the beach once a year. You can afford a dentist visit without panic. You can start putting money into a 401(k).
That’s the sweet spot.
Bottom Line: The Real Number
Here’s what you need to know:
- Single person? Aim for at least $45,000 a year.
- Family of three? You need $75,000+ to live without stress.
- Childcare? That’s your biggest cost-plan for it.
- Car insurance? It’s not optional. Budget for it.
- Don’t assume Disney World jobs are enough. They’re not, unless you’re in management.
Kissimmee isn’t a cheap place to live. It’s affordable compared to New York or San Francisco-but not compared to what most people think. The sunshine is real. The cost of living? Also real.
Know the numbers before you pack your bags.
How much do you need to make to live in Kissimmee, FL as a single person?
A single person needs to make at least $45,000 a year before taxes to live comfortably in Kissimmee. That covers rent, car insurance, utilities, groceries, health insurance, and a small emergency fund. Living on less than $35,000 means constant financial stress and no savings.
Is $60,000 a year enough to live in Kissimmee with a family?
$60,000 is tight for a family of three. You’d need to live in a modest apartment, skip childcare if possible, drive older cars, and cut back on dining out. To live comfortably with kids, aim for $75,000-$85,000. Childcare alone can cost $1,000 a month.
Why is car insurance so expensive in Kissimmee?
Florida has the highest car insurance rates in the U.S. because of high rates of uninsured drivers, fraud, and expensive medical care. Kissimmee isn’t exempt-insurance companies factor in accident rates and theft. Full coverage averages $215-$250 a month, even for good drivers.
Can you live in Kissimmee on a Disney World salary?
Entry-level Disney jobs pay $15-$17/hour-that’s $31,200-$35,360 a year. You can survive on that if you live with roommates and have no debt. But you won’t save money, afford health insurance, or buy a car. Only managers or specialized roles (like engineers or IT) at Disney make enough to live independently.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Kissimmee?
Buying is often cheaper long-term. A 3-bedroom home in Kissimmee costs $300,000-$380,000. With a 20% down payment and 6.5% interest, your mortgage is around $1,800/month-similar to rent. But you build equity, and property taxes are low. Renting means you pay every month with nothing to show for it.
What’s the biggest hidden cost of living in Kissimmee?
Childcare. It’s more expensive than rent for many families. Full-time daycare runs $900-$1,200 a month. Second biggest? Car insurance. You can’t avoid it in Florida. Third? Summer electricity bills. AC runs nonstop from May to October.
Ronak Khandelwal
November 21, 2025 AT 13:51Living in Kissimmee is like dating someone who’s hot but has terrible habits 😅 You get the sun, the vibe, the Disney magic-but then you remember car insurance is $250/month and childcare costs more than your rent. But hey, at least you can wear flip-flops year-round. 🌞🩴
Jeff Napier
November 23, 2025 AT 03:51Sibusiso Ernest Masilela
November 23, 2025 AT 17:50Let’s be real-anyone making under $75k in Kissimmee is just one flat tire away from living in their car. You think you’re ‘affordable’? Please. You’re one medical bill from becoming a statistic. This isn’t Florida, it’s a financial trap dressed in palm trees. And don’t even get me started on those ‘Disney jobs’-they’re glorified janitorial gigs with a Mickey Mouse hat.
Daniel Kennedy
November 25, 2025 AT 08:07For anyone thinking of moving here-don’t just look at rent. Look at the hidden taxes: time, stress, and your mental health. Car insurance is insane, but you can mitigate it by shopping around every 6 months. And if you’re a family? Find a co-op daycare or swap babysitting with neighbors. Community matters more than you think. You don’t need a six-figure salary-you need a plan and a village.
Taylor Hayes
November 25, 2025 AT 11:59I moved here from Chicago two years ago. I was scared. I thought I’d be broke in a month. But I started biking to work when I could, bought groceries at Sam’s Club, and switched to a high-deductible plan with an HSA. Now I save $200 a month and still have time to enjoy the lake. It’s not easy-but it’s possible if you’re intentional. Don’t compare your start to someone else’s middle.
Sanjay Mittal
November 25, 2025 AT 15:18For those on a budget: learn to cook dal and rice. Indian grocery stores in Kissimmee sell spices for pennies and lentils for under $1/lb. I make a full meal for $1.50. Combine that with a used car paid off and no cable, and $35k becomes doable. It’s not glamorous, but it’s sustainable. And yes, I still get to go to Disney once a year.
Jamie Roman
November 26, 2025 AT 23:11I know people who moved here thinking they’d escape the cold and end up stuck in a cycle of working two jobs just to pay for AC and insurance. The thing nobody tells you is that the cost of living isn’t just about money-it’s about freedom. If you’re spending 60 hours a week just to cover bills, you’re not living in Florida-you’re just surviving in a very warm place. And if you’re thinking about kids, please, please, please factor in childcare before you sign a lease. It’s not an add-on, it’s the foundation.
Salomi Cummingham
November 28, 2025 AT 18:42I cried the first time I saw my car insurance bill. Not because it was high-but because I realized I’d been lied to. Everyone says Florida’s cheap, but no one says, ‘Hey, you’re gonna pay more for wheels than you did for your apartment back in New York.’ And don’t even get me started on the humidity. I thought I was moving to paradise. Turns out I moved into a sauna with a mortgage. But hey-at least the sunsets are worth it. 🌅💔
Johnathan Rhyne
November 30, 2025 AT 18:09Jawaharlal Thota
December 2, 2025 AT 10:05For anyone thinking of moving here alone-start small. Rent a room. Use public libraries for free internet. Walk or bike to the grocery store. Learn to fix your own car. I made $38k last year and saved $5k by doing all of this. It’s not about income-it’s about discipline. And yes, I still eat out once a week. Just not at Disney Springs. Save that for vacations.
Lauren Saunders
December 4, 2025 AT 05:29Let’s be honest-this post is written by someone who owns a house and has a corporate job. The real cost of living here isn’t $45k-it’s $80k if you want to avoid looking like a desperate tourist. And if you’re a single mom? Good luck. Daycare costs more than your rent, and the ‘affordable’ apartments are either moldy or near a highway. This isn’t a lifestyle, it’s a survival simulation with a beach view.
sonny dirgantara
December 4, 2025 AT 07:00