What are the schools like in Ocala, FL?

Ocala is served primarily by MARION. The district operates 35 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, and 12 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.6:1.

What is the median household income in Ocala?

The median household income in Ocala, FL is $50,618 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 8.3%.

What is the weather like in Ocala, FL?

Ocala has an average high temperature of 70.6°F in January and 92.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 52.2 inches.

Ocala, FL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Ocala, FL affordable or expensive?

Ocala's cost of living index is 96, where 100 represents the national average. This means Ocala is 4% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $190,400 and the median rent is $1,166 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Ocala, FL?

Ocala has a violent crime rate of 499.7 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 3049.4 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Ocala, FL a Good Place to Live?

Ocala is a mid-sized city of 63,504 in Florida, with a median household income of $50,618 and a 8.3% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 96 (US average = 100), which is 4% below the national average.

Strengths: Ocala stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Ocala is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Ocala city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 95.5

Ocala's overall cost of living index is 95.5, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Ocala costs roughly 4% less than the average American city.

Metric	Ocala, FL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$190,400	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,166	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	48.9%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$50,618	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Near National Average

Ocala's violent crime rate is 499.7 per 100,000 residents — 31% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

499.7 /100k

Property Crime

3049.4 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Ocala is served primarily by MARION. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.6:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Ocala, FL	National Avg
School District	MARION	—
Elementary Schools	35	—
Middle Schools	10	—
High Schools	12	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	18.6:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	27.3%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	90.8%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Ocala sees average highs of 70.6°F in January and 92.0°F in July, with 52.2 inches of annual precipitation .

Metric	Ocala, FL
Average High — January	70.6°F
Average High — July	92.0°F
Annual Precipitation	52.2"
Annual Snowfall	Trace / None

Demographics

Metric	Ocala, FL	National Avg
Population	63,504	—
Median Age	37.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	8.3%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	19.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	64.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	20.7%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	8.8%	18.9%
Asian	3.0%	6.3%
Under 18	22.7%	22.2%
65 and over	18.8%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Silver Springs, FL 6 mi Liberty Triangle, FL 8 mi Silver Springs Shores, FL 9 mi On Top of the World, FL 10 mi Ocala Estates, FL 10 mi

ZIP Codes in Ocala

Ocala, FL is covered by 6 ZIP codes:

34474 34471 34470 34475 34480 34482

Ocala vs Other Cities

Ocala, FL vs Silver Springs, FL Ocala, FL vs Liberty Triangle, FL Ocala, FL vs Silver Springs Shores, FL Ocala, FL vs On Top of the World, FL Ocala, FL vs Ocala Estates, FL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ocala, FL affordable or expensive?

Ocala's cost of living index is 96, where 100 is the national average. That makes Ocala roughly 4% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $190,400 and median rent is $1,166/month.

What is the crime rate in Ocala, FL?

Ocala's violent crime rate is 499.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3049.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Ocala?

Public schools in Ocala are operated by MARION. The district has 35 elementary, 10 middle, and 12 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.6:1. 27.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Ocala, FL a good place to live?

Ocala, FL has a population of 63,504, a median household income of $50,618, and an unemployment rate of 8.3%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Ocala?

Ocala averages 70.6°F in January and 92.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 52.2 inches . Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Ocala?

Ocala, FL is covered by 6 ZIP codes: 34474, 34471, 34470, 34475, 34480, 34482.

What is the population of Ocala?

The population of Ocala, Florida is 63,504 with a median age of 37.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Ocala?

Key numbers for living in Ocala: cost of living index 96 (100 = US average), median home $190,400, median household income $50,618, crime index 137 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Ocala side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.