Ocala

Kayaking and glass bottom boating is a few activities done at Silver Springs State Park.
City Profile Image
The entrance to Silver Springs State Park.
Canoeing is a very popular activity on the fresh water springs at Silver Springs State Park.
Downtown Ocala is sprinkled with art throughout the neighborhood.

Ocala, FL Area Guide

Avg Rent

$1,273

Population

65,964

Renter Mix

50% Rent

The Horse Capital of the World touts rich history and natural beauty

Historic Scenic Rural Suburban Convenient Affordable

Located in North Central Florida, Ocala is renowned as the "Horse Capital of the World," with hundreds of thoroughbred farms and training centers dotting its landscape. The rental market includes garden-style communities near the historic downtown district and newer developments close to the World Equestrian Center. One-bedroom units average $1,243 monthly, while two-bedroom homes typically lease for $1,551, reflecting a 4.5% year-over-year increase. The historic district, with its Victorian architecture along East Fort King Street, and the area near the College of Central Florida are among the city's most sought-after neighborhoods.

Residents enjoy easy access to outdoor recreation at the Ocala National Forest and Silver Springs State Park, home to famous glass-bottom boats and crystal-clear springs. Downtown Ocala centers around the historic Marion Theatre and the downtown square, offering shopping and dining options. The College of Central Florida campus adds to the area's appeal. With more than 230 sunny days annually, residents can take advantage of the city's parks and trails year-round. Ocala's history dates to 1849, and its "Brick City" nickname comes from the rebuilding efforts following an 1883 fire. The city hosts several equestrian events throughout the year, including the HITS competition, highlighting its significance in the international horse industry.

Explore the City

The entrance to Silver Springs State Park.

Canoeing is a very popular activity on the fresh water springs at Silver Springs State Park.

Downtown Ocala is sprinkled with art throughout the neighborhood.

Take the little ones out for a day at Tuscawilla Playground in Downtown Ocala.

This interactive mural is one of the art installations in Downtown Ocala.

The World Equestrian Complex near Southeast Ocala hosts numerous events year round in Ocala.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$51,442

Average: $76,226

Education

15,347

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

28,007

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

39 Years

Largest Age Group

30-39 Years

Approximately 14% of Residents

Under 20

25%

Over 65

19%

Housing Distribution

In Ocala, there are roughly the same number of renters and homeowners.

Renters
50%
Non-Renters
50%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
19%
Other Education
81%

Rent Trends

As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Ocala, FL is $786 for a studio, $1,260 for one bedroom, $1,532 for two bedrooms, and $1,819 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Ocala has decreased by -3.4% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,260/month
734 Sq Ft
House
$1,947/month
1,503 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,469/month
1,232 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,663/month
1,398 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Ocala, FL

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Ocala, FL is 11.7% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Ocala is 30.9% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $802 - $1,832. You can expect to pay 5.7% more for groceries, 3.7% less for utilities, and 6.8% less for transportation.

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Getting Around

Fairly Walkable

Walkability

50 / 100

Minimal Public Transit

Transit

10 / 100

Very Drivable

Drivability

80 / 100

Somewhat Bikeable

Bikeability

20 / 100

Schools

Dr N High Jones Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

807 Students

Eighth Street Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

405 Students

Ward-Highlands Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

959 Students

Maplewood Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

817 Students

Osceola Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

999 Students

Francis Marion Charter School

Public

Grades 6-8

201 Students

Liberty Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

1,365 Students

Howard Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

980 Students

Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks

Public

Grades K-8

1,067 Students

Forest High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,325 Students

West Port High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,906 Students

Vanguard High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,661 Students

Lake Weir High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,483 Students

Marion Technical Institute

Public

Grades PK & 6-12

162 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Silver Springs State Park
  • Cross Florida Greenway - 49th Ave. to Land Bridge
  • Indian Lake State Forest

Military Bases

Top Apartments in Ocala

Houses for Rent in Ocala

Property Management Companies in Ocala, FL

Living in Ocala

Transportation

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Ocala is primarily a driving city, but there is some bus service in its population centers from the SunTran bus system. However, owning a car is a breeze as there is always ample parking wherever you go. If you want to get away, Ocala International Airport offers a small number of regional flights, or you can head to the larger airports in Tampa and Orlando. The Amtrak railroad provides service to the city in the form of shuttle buses connecting passengers to its routes.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.