Kissimmee, FL Rent Costs 2025: Is It Really Expensive?

Key Takeaways

• In Q32025 the median rent for a one‑bedroom apartment in Kissimmee is $1,420, about 12% higher than the national median.
• Rent in Kissimmee is roughly 5% lower than neighboring Orlando but still above the Florida average.
• Tourism‑driven demand, limited new inventory, and a tight job market keep prices up.
• Households earning the median $62,300 annual income spend about 28% of their earnings on rent, just above the 30% affordability threshold.
• Look for units near the University of Central Florida campus or the Lake Buena Vista area for better value, and consider signing in the off‑season (September-November).

When people ask, Kissimmee is a city in central Florida, just south of Orlando and a short drive from Walt Disney World, the rental market usually tops the conversation. The question “Is the rent expensive in Kissimmee, Florida?” boils down to three jobs: (1) finding current rent figures, (2) comparing those numbers to nearby markets, and (3) deciding if the cost fits a personal budget.

Current Rental Prices in 2025

According to data from Zillow a real‑estate analytics platform that tracks rental listings nationwide, the median asking rent for a one‑bedroom apartment in Kissimmee is $1,420 per month, while a two‑bedroom fetches $1,750. Detached single‑family homes average $2,180 for three bedrooms and $2,700 for four bedrooms. These figures reflect listings posted between July and September 2025 and include both newly built complexes and older garden‑style units.

How Kissimmee Stacks Up Against Neighbors

Even though Kissimmee is slightly cheaper than Orlando, it still exceeds the state and national averages. The gap narrows when you compare to Tampa, where a one‑bedroom costs about $140 less. For families, the price difference widens; a three‑bedroom home in Orlando averages $2,300 versus $2,180 in Kissimmee, a modest saving that can add up over a lease term.

What Drives Rent Prices Here?

Three main forces push rent upward:

• Tourism and Disney proximity - Kissimmee’s close ties to Walt Disney World and other theme parks create a steady stream of seasonal workers and short‑term renters, swelling demand for year‑round housing.
• Limited new supply - Permitting delays and rising construction costs have slowed the rollout of new apartments. Between 2021 and 2025, only 1,200 new units were completed, far below the 2,500‑unit shortfall projected by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
• Job market dynamics - The median household income in Kissimmee rose to $62,300 in 2025 (a 6% increase over 2021). While wages are climbing, they lag behind rent growth, squeezing affordability.

Rent Trends Over the Last Five Years

Historical data from the Cost of Living Index a composite metric tracking housing, transportation, and groceries shows a steady upward trajectory. From 2020 to 2025, the index for Kissimmee rose from 95.3 to 108.7 (a 14% increase), mirroring rent hikes of 12‑15% across the board. The biggest jump occurred in 2022‑2023, when post‑pandemic travel surged and developers struggled to keep up with demand.

Affordability Snapshot

The classic rule of thumb is to spend no more than 30% of gross income on housing. Using the 2025 median income ($62,300), a household can comfortably afford $1,558 per month in rent. The median one‑bedroom price ($1,420) sits just under that line, meaning about 57% of renters are within the “affordable” range, while the remaining 43% either share housing, live with roommates, or stretch beyond the guideline.

For families, the picture tightens. A four‑bedroom home at $2,700 represents 52% of the median household income-well above the 30% rule-so many families opt for two‑bedroom units and supplement space with basements or accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

Practical Tips for Rent‑Seekers

1. Target off‑season months. Lease negotiations are strongest between September and November, after the summer tourist peak subsides.
2. Explore neighborhoods beyond the Disney corridor. Areas like Poinciana and the Lake Buena Vista region often have lower per‑square‑foot rates while still offering easy freeway access.
3. Consider shared housing. Platforms such as Roomster a roommate‑matching service list rooms in larger homes for $800‑$950, dramatically cutting costs.
4. Ask about rent‑to‑own programs. Some local developers partner with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to offer lease‑to‑own options, allowing tenants to build equity over a 5‑year term.
5. Leverage credit. A solid credit score can shave $50‑$100 off monthly rent, as landlords reward low‑risk tenants.

Finally, keep an eye on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) the federal measure of inflation. When CPI rises, landlords often adjust rents in July and December, so budgeting for a potential 2‑3% bump can prevent surprise expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions