Living in Kissimmee, Florida isn’t just about being close to Disney World. It’s about figuring out if your paycheck can actually cover rent, groceries, gas, and still leave something for the occasional night out. If you’re thinking about moving there-or you already are-you’re probably wondering: How much do you need to make to live in Kissimmee, FL? The answer isn’t as simple as a national average. It’s shaped by local prices, housing shortages, and how much you’re willing to compromise.
What does a typical monthly budget look like in Kissimmee?
A single person living alone in Kissimmee needs at least $3,800 a month to cover the basics without going into debt. That’s not luxury. That’s survival. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Housing: A one-bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood (not near the theme parks, not in the worst part of town) runs $1,600-$2,100. Two-bedroom? $2,000-$2,700. Rent has jumped 22% since 2020, and there’s no sign of it slowing down.
- Utilities: Electricity, water, internet, and trash add up to about $220. Florida’s AC runs nonstop, so your bill won’t be cheap.
- Food: Groceries for one person? Around $400 a month. Eating out once a week? Add another $200. A simple meal at a local diner costs $12-$18.
- Transportation: You need a car here. Public transit barely exists. Gas averages $3.10 a gallon. Car insurance? $145 a month-among the highest in the state. Add $100 for maintenance and repairs.
- Healthcare: Without insurance, a doctor visit can hit $200. Even with insurance, copays and prescriptions run $50-$100 a month.
- Other: Phone bill, clothing, personal care, and random stuff? $200-$300.
That’s $2,900 minimum. Add a buffer for emergencies, and you’re looking at $3,500-$3,800. If you have kids, add $800-$1,200 more for childcare alone.
What’s the average income in Kissimmee?
The median household income in Kissimmee is $58,000 a year-about $4,800 a month. Sounds good, right? But here’s the catch: that number includes dual-income families, retirees, and people living with roommates. For a single adult working full-time, the median wage is closer to $38,000 a year-$3,166 a month.
That’s not enough to cover the basics without stretching thin. A retail worker at a Walmart or Target makes $14-$16 an hour. That’s $2,800-$3,200 a month before taxes. After state income tax (Florida has none), federal tax, and FICA, you’re down to $2,400-$2,700. Rent alone eats up 70-80% of that. No savings. No emergency fund. One flat tire and you’re in trouble.
Even a nurse’s aide, who makes $17 an hour, is barely breaking even after rent and car costs. The only jobs that pay well enough to live comfortably are in healthcare (RN, LPN), skilled trades (electricians, plumbers), or management roles in tourism or logistics.
Where can you actually afford to live?
If you’re on a tight budget, you’re looking at neighborhoods like:
- West Kissimmee: Older homes, lower rent, but farther from shopping and highways. Some areas have higher crime rates.
- South Kissimmee: More affordable apartments, but you’re farther from downtown and the main tourist corridors.
- St. Cloud or Poinciana: Just outside Kissimmee city limits. Rent is 15-25% cheaper. But your commute to work or the grocery store gets longer.
Most people who work at Disney or Universal end up living in these areas because they can’t afford anything closer. A 30-45 minute commute each way is normal. That’s 10-15 hours a week stuck in traffic.
What about taxes and hidden costs?
Florida doesn’t have a state income tax. That’s a plus. But the trade-off is high property taxes and sales tax. Everything you buy-groceries, clothes, gas-is taxed at 7%. If you buy a car, you pay 6% sales tax on top of the price. And if you own a home, property taxes are rising fast. The average annual property tax on a $250,000 home is now $3,800.
Don’t forget flood insurance. Kissimmee sits near wetlands and lakes. Most renters aren’t required to carry it, but if you own a home, lenders demand it. It adds $80-$150 a month to your housing cost.
Can you live on minimum wage here?
Minimum wage in Florida is $13 an hour in 2025. Full-time, that’s $2,260 a month before taxes. After taxes, you’re at $1,950. Rent for the cheapest one-bedroom? $1,400. Utilities? $220. Car insurance? $145. Groceries? $400. That’s $2,165. You’re $215 short. And that’s without phone, medicine, or any personal spending.
Living on minimum wage in Kissimmee means skipping meals, relying on food banks, or working two jobs. It’s not sustainable. It’s survival mode.
Who can afford to live here comfortably?
You can live comfortably in Kissimmee if you make at least $65,000 a year. That’s $5,400 a month after taxes. With that:
- You can rent a two-bedroom apartment in a safer, nicer area ($2,200-$2,500).
- You can afford a newer car or pay off an older one faster.
- You can save $500 a month.
- You can eat out twice a week.
- You can take a vacation once a year.
That’s not rich. But it’s stable. It’s peace of mind.
What’s the real cost of being near Disney?
Many people move to Kissimmee because they work at Disney World. But Disney doesn’t pay enough to live here. The average hourly wage for a frontline cast member is $15.50. That’s $32,240 a year. After taxes, you’re at $2,700 a month. Rent for a one-bedroom? $1,800. That’s 67% of your income before utilities, car, or food.
Disney employees are the largest group of people living paycheck to paycheck in Kissimmee. Many live in shared houses with three or four roommates. Some commute from Orlando, 30 miles away. Others sleep in their cars during the week.
Working at Disney doesn’t make you rich. It just makes you close to the magic.
Is Kissimmee worth it?
If you’re young, single, and don’t mind long commutes, Kissimmee can work. It’s cheap compared to Miami or Tampa. But if you’re planning to raise a family, save for retirement, or build a life here-it’s getting harder.
The city is growing fast. New apartment complexes are popping up, but they’re all luxury units. The affordable housing stock is shrinking. The people who built this city-the teachers, nurses, and cashiers-are being pushed out.
So, how much do you need to make? If you want to live without stress, you need at least $60,000 a year. If you want to save, travel, or buy a home? Aim for $75,000. Anything less, and you’re just getting by.
Kissimmee isn’t a bad place to live. But it’s not the bargain it used to be. You’re paying for proximity to the parks, not affordability.
Can you live in Kissimmee on $40,000 a year?
Yes, but barely. At $40,000 a year, you’re making about $3,300 a month before taxes. After taxes, you’ll have around $2,800. Rent for a one-bedroom will eat up $1,700-$2,000. Add utilities, car costs, and food, and you’re left with $200-$400 for everything else. You’ll need to share housing, drive an older car, and skip most entertainment. No savings. No emergencies. It’s possible, but it’s stressful.
Is Kissimmee cheaper than Orlando?
Slightly, but not by much. Rent in Orlando is about 5-10% higher than in Kissimmee. But Orlando has better public transit options and more job diversity. Kissimmee’s advantage is lower property taxes and slightly cheaper groceries. For most people, the difference isn’t enough to justify the longer commute to work or the lack of amenities.
What jobs pay the most in Kissimmee?
The highest-paying jobs are in healthcare (registered nurses, physical therapists), skilled trades (electricians, HVAC technicians), and logistics (warehouse supervisors, truck dispatchers). Entry-level positions in tourism and retail pay $13-$17/hour. Management roles at Disney or Universal can hit $50,000-$70,000, but they’re competitive and often require experience.
How much do you need to buy a home in Kissimmee?
The median home price is $310,000. To qualify for a 30-year mortgage with 20% down ($62,000), you need to make at least $70,000 a year. With a 5% down payment, you’d need $85,000-$90,000 to cover the down payment, closing costs, and still qualify. Property taxes and insurance add $350-$450 a month to your payment. Homeownership is possible, but it’s out of reach for most workers.
Are there any free or low-cost things to do in Kissimmee?
Yes. Lake Tohopekaliga has free public access areas for fishing and walking. The Kissimmee Museum of History offers free admission on weekends. Many parks have playgrounds, walking trails, and picnic areas. The city hosts free outdoor movie nights in the summer. You don’t need to spend money to enjoy the area-you just need to know where to look.
Final thoughts: It’s not about the salary-it’s about the trade-offs
Kissimmee isn’t failing. It’s changing. The same forces that made it popular-proximity to Disney, warm weather, no state income tax-are now pushing out the people who keep it running. If you’re moving here for a job, ask yourself: Will this paycheck cover more than just rent? Can you save? Can you breathe?
There’s no magic number. But if you’re making less than $55,000, you’re working harder than you should just to stay put. And if you’re making $70,000 or more? You’ve got a real shot at building something here.