City comparison
Miami, FL vs Ocala, FL
What a paycheck is really worth in each city: prices, rent and state taxes.
Key findings
- Prices in Miami, FL are 19.9% higher than in Ocala, FL. Someone earning $100,000 in Ocala, FL would need about $119,900 in Miami, FL to live the same way.
- Rent is the bigger story: a typical 1-bedroom costs $1,995 a month in Miami, FL versus $1,172 in Ocala, FL. On $100,000, that's 30% of take-home pay in Miami, FL and 18% in Ocala, FL.
- Both are in FL, so estimated state income tax is the same: $0 a year on $100,000.
- For federal employees, locality pay changes a GS-13 step 1 salary by −6.1% moving from Miami, FL to Ocala, FL ($113,356 → $106,437), while prices change by −16.6%. Net effect of the transfer: +12.6% in real buying power.
- Miami, FL: price level 114.2 (much pricier)
- Ocala, FL: price level 95.2 (cheaper)
Map drawn from Census Bureau state boundaries and metro locations9,10; dot colours show BEA price levels2.
Side by side
| Miami, FL | Ocala, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (U.S. = 100)2 | 114.2 | 95.2 |
| $100,000 is worth, in the other city2 | $83,425 in Ocala | $119,868 in Miami |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent3 | $1,995/mo | $1,172/mo |
| Take-home on $100,00014,15,8 | $79,180 | $79,180 |
| State income tax on $100,000 (estimate)8 | $0 (FL) | $0 (FL) |
| Rent burden on $100,000 | 30% | 18% |
| Median pay, all jobs4 | $48,640 | $43,990 |
| Federal locality pay area7 | Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rest of U.S. |
Rent areas: Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL HUD Metro FMR Area and Ocala, FL MSA. Metro areas: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL and Ocala, FL.
What costs more or less
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | Miami | Ocala |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | 155.6 | 86.2 |
| Goods | 103.6 | 96.2 |
| Utilities | 97.2 | 87.1 |
| Other services | 109.1 | 98.9 |
| Overall | 114.2 | 95.2 |
Moving with the same $100,000 salary
Miami, FL → Ocala, FL
Same pay goes further
Buying power +19.9%; rent takes 18% of take-home; state tax +$0/yr.
100 Strong offer
Ocala, FL → Miami, FL
Same pay buys less
Buying power −16.6%; rent takes 30% of take-home; state tax +$0/yr.
30 Weak offer
On the GS pay scale?
Miami, FL is in the Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL pay area; Ocala, FL is in Rest of U.S.. The last column shows what a transfer from Miami, FL to Ocala, FL at the same grade and step does to real buying power.
| Grade5,2 | Miami, FL | Ocala, FL | Real change, Miami → Ocala |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 step 1 | $65,735 | $61,722 | +12.6% |
| GS-11 step 1 | $79,533 | $74,678 | +12.6% |
| GS-12 step 1 | $95,326 | $89,508 | +12.6% |
| GS-13 step 1 | $113,356 | $106,437 | +12.6% |
| GS-14 step 1 | $133,953 | $125,776 | +12.6% |
Pay for common jobs
| Median annual pay4 | Miami, FL | Ocala, FL | Ocala pay in Miami dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $58,300 | $57,540 | $68,972 (+18.3%) |
| Software Developers | $132,650 | $112,780 | $135,187 (+1.9%) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $80,920 | $74,370 | $89,146 (+10.2%) |
| Registered Nurses | $91,380 | $79,230 | $94,971 (+3.9%) |
"Not published" means BLS doesn't release an estimate for that job in that metro.