The Villages, located in Florida, is a unique and rapidly growing community known for its vibrant lifestyle and amenities. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for potential residents and those considering relocation.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in The Villages, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $15 on average, with a range between $12 and $25.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $40, with prices ranging from $30 to $50.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $9.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer is priced at $5, imported beer ranges from $7 to $14, cappuccino costs between $4 and $6, and Coke/Pepsi is priced between $1.25 and $2.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.83 and $1.29 per liter, averaging $1.2.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2.81 and $5.06, with an average price of $4.25.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - Local cheese averages $6.61 per kg.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $8.58 per kg, while oranges range from $5.27 to $11 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced at $4.41 per kg, and lettuce costs between $1.89 and $1.99 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.76 and $0.95 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $8.
  • Car Purchase - A new Toyota Corolla Sedan costs between $27,000 and $29,000.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1750.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $1100.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $3000 to $3500, averaging $3250.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $2750.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment average $272 per month.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $40 to $60, with an average cost of $50.
Worldwide
United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 10 user contributions, as of the most recent update in April, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$15.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$40.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$9.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$10.50
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00
Cappuccino (regular)
$5.00
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.20
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$4.25
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.61
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.50
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$18.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$7.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.41
Apples (1kg)
$8.58
Oranges (1kg)
$8.14
Potato (1kg)
$4.41
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.94
Rice (white), (1kg)
$3.75
Tomato (1kg)
$4.41
Banana (1kg)
$1.67
Onion (1kg)
$4.41
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$19.82
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.85
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$8.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$28,000.00
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$1,750.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$1,100.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$3,250.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$2,750.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$272.00
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$50.00
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$15.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$59.50
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$105.00
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$7,500.00
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
5.96%
The Villages Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

The Villages offers a moderate cost of living with affordable dining options and reasonable grocery prices.

Housing costs vary significantly depending on location, with city centre apartments being more expensive.

Transportation costs are manageable, especially for those who own a vehicle, given the competitive gasoline prices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Villages, FL, presents a balanced cost of living that caters to a variety of lifestyles. With affordable dining and grocery options, residents can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.

While housing in the city centre can be pricey, options outside the centre offer more budget-friendly alternatives. Overall, The Villages is an attractive option for those seeking a vibrant community with a reasonable cost of living.