10 Cities Near Orlando To Live In 2022

Orlando, FL, is a vibrant city with loads to offer — fun attractions and gainful employment! As the heart of Orange County, it’s the perfect poster child for why to call Central Florida home.

But those looking for Orlando proximity with a lower-key lifestyle will find a number of lovely burgs for apartment living — whether that means small towns, a beachy locale, a cabin in the woods or just a city with an easier commute in a more affordable neighborhood.

Read on for 10 amazing cities near Orlando that you should call home.

It’s all affordable

Before beginning to explore the small towns and other areas within Central Florida to consider calling home, you’re already starting from an ideal vantage point when it comes to budget. Overall, rent in Orlando and surrounding towns generally falls below the national average.

And, while some areas have seen a greater year-over-year increase when compared to the national average, most Orlando suburbs, no matter the distance from the city center, are staying competitive and affordable.

1. Altamonte Springs

• Population: 46,231
• Distance from downtown Orlando: 10.1 miles
• One-bedroom average rent: $1,472 (up 32 percent since last year)
• Two-bedroom average rent: $1,772 (up 33.8 percent since last year)

With the many restaurants, shops and other amenities and activities in the town, Altamonte Springs attracts many young professionals who like to work hard and play hard. It’s also a pretty safe city, so Florida families with young children tend to like the area, too.

It somehow manages to feel like a small town while still giving easy access to everything in Orlando. The combination of features makes it a little bit country and a little bit big city.

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2. Apopka

• Population: 54,873
• Distance from downtown Orlando: 17.6 miles
• One-bedroom average rent: $1,676 (up 34.4 percent since last year)
• Two-bedroom average rent: $2,001 (up 39.1 percent since last year)

It’s like being in the Florida wilderness out west in Apopka. Here, residents enjoy proximity to gorgeous natural areas, including Wekiwa Springs State Park and Rock Springs Run State Preserve, where activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing and even tubing on one of the region’s beautiful natural springs make for happy, outdoorsy residents. This is not where you go looking for hotels. Grab a tent and backpack instead.

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If you’ve got a city commute, though, it could be worse. Apopka is less than 18 miles from downtown — that’s 30 minutes without traffic.

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3. Casselberry

• Population: 28,794
• Distance from downtown Orlando: 12.2 miles
• One-bedroom average rent: $1,302 (up 16.8 percent since last year)
• Two-bedroom average rent: $1,673 (up 9.2 percent since last year)

The quiet suburb of Casselberry offers residents a small-town feel without sacrificing common Florida amenities like shops and restaurants that make the area worth a visit. Within the radius of this town, you’ll find some great parks. This includes Pawmosa Park, the perfect place to bring your pup, and Kewanee Park with wooded trails and a kid’s playground. There’s even a boardwalk for those interested in fishing.

Population size has grown significantly since this agricultural city first set down roots. Today, it’s just like towns all over Florida, with a popular golf club, beautiful parks and more.

4. Clermont

• Population: 43,021
• Distance from downtown Orlando: 27.2 miles
• One-bedroom average rent: $2,317 (up 79.4 percent since last year)
• Two-bedroom average rent: $1,803 (up 18.4 percent since last year)

Clermont’s rolling hills are a startling contrast from much of Florida’s natural landscape. In fact, this hidden gem contains Florida’s highest point (a mountain topping out at a whopping 345 feet) on Lake County near Clermont.

Another one of the towns to the west, Clermont’s weather and topography are so appealing that the National Training Center, a world-class facility where elite athletes come to hone their skills, calls Clermont home. Many national fun runs and obstacle races make it a point to visit here, as well — the hills are great for challenging events and long distances!

If you like history and museums, make sure to visit the Clermont Historic Village Museum and the President’s Hall of Fame.

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5. Kissimmee

• Population: 79,226
• Distance from downtown Orlando: 23.8 miles
• One-bedroom average rent: $1,588 (up 30 percent since last year)
• Two-bedroom average rent: $1,950 (up 31.8 percent since last year)

Tourism is a top money-maker in Kissimmee, but the charming downtown and its surroundings built on the dual-powerhouse industries of cattle ranching and farming merge rancher history and modern-day living.

Situated to the south, a visit to Kissimmee must include The Silver Spurs Rodeo. It’s still a tremendously popular event in the city. Kissimmee essentially borders Walt Disney World, so not only is ongoing development bringing more industry to the city, but you’re within day-trip range of the happiest place on Earth.

Among the more recent projects is the Margaritaville Resort Orlando, which includes homes, a water park and massive dining, shopping and entertainment complexes. There’s no shortage of attractions around here.

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6. Longwood

• Population: 15,087
• Distance from downtown Orlando: 14.3 miles
• One-bedroom average rent: $1,559 (up 37.4 percent since last year)
• Two-bedroom average rent: $1,859 (up 20.4 percent since last year)

To the north and slightly east of Orlando, you’ll find the town of Longwood. With a moderate-sized population, this city sees a big influx of people during working hours. This is thanks to all the businesses in the area. Commuters will head into their office here to clock in at UPS, FedEx and more, instead of going into Orlando.

This Florida location plays a significant role in why businesses like to set up shop around here. This Central Florida spot not only makes it easy to get into Orlando but even as far as the coast, on either side of the state.

Happily, it’s not all business here. Features of this town include plenty of parks full of kid-friendly playgrounds, beautiful green spaces, trails and more.

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7. Ocoee

• Population: 47,295
• Distance from downtown Orlando: 13.7 miles
• One-bedroom average rent: $1,674 (up 17.4 percent since last year)
• Two-bedroom average rent: $2,221 (up 34.1 percent since last year)

With more convenience to downtown, Ocoee — at just under 14 miles — is one of the closest cities on this list to Orlando.

A quick scoot on the 408 (highway) will have you inside the 407 in an average of 20 minutes. And your apartment community will have a far more relaxed vibe. One that’s easier on the pocketbook, too.

Farm-to-table fans will note that Ocoee is near many of the city’s best restaurant suppliers, like Lake Meadow Naturals. You can also pick blueberries in your figurative backyard when they’re in season!

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8. Sanford

• Population: 61.051
• Distance from downtown Orlando: 25.3 miles
• One-bedroom average rent: $1,420 (up 7 percent since last year)
• Two-bedroom average rent: $1,755 (up 11 percent since last year)

Like many cities near Orlando, Sanford is sprawling. It has an amazing historic downtown with brick streets, charming buildings and a growing roster of hip attractions from nightlife to great restaurants, galleries and boutiques.

All of this nestles up, slightly to the east of Orlando, against the shore of Lake Monroe. Other attractions make for as exciting a night out as any in Orlando, with the added benefit of appealing to every age bracket.

Living here is also very convenient, thanks to Sanford being exceedingly easy to navigate when it comes to parking. Walkability is also epic. This is a beautiful town to visit (and even better to live in) and still easily commutable to downtown, with a location only about 25 to 30 miles away from the business district.

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9. Winter Garden

Source: Facebook/We Are Winter Garden

• Population: 46,964
• Distance from downtown Orlando: 16.1 miles
• One-bedroom average rent: $2,180 (up 41.9 percent since last year)
• Two-bedroom average rent: $2,307 (up 26.1 percent since last year)

Like Sanford, Winter Garden, also has a historic downtown with lots to do — from the idyllic live oaks over the patio at Plant Street Market to a living, breathing railroad museum to charm the oldest and youngest in your troupe with ease.

Winter Garden, west of the Orlando metro, is also easily commutable, but with a small-town feel that lowers the blood pressure. Despite its ‘burb location on a map, Winter Garden is home to two of the most well-reviewed restaurants in the area, both of which are on-site at the charming Edgewater Hotel.

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10. Winter Park

• Population: 29,795
• Distance from downtown Orlando: 5 miles
• One-bedroom average rent: $1,197 (down 1 percent since last year)
• Two-bedroom average rent: $1,490 (up 13.4 percent since last year)

With plenty of bars and dining options, Winter Park provides a nice urban/suburban mix for residents. Situated to the north of Orlando, this site contains beautiful, residential neighborhoods, making Winter Park a perfect city to call home.

There’s no shortage of culture and fun to discover while living here either. This cool Florida neighborhood is close to the city center but with an identity all its own. For museums, you can pick between the Winter Park History Museum or The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of Art. When the open country calls your name, visit the Howell Branch Preserve or the Kraft Azalea Garden.

Parks, lakes and a few other attractions seal the deal as to why the radius around Winter Park has it all, so don’t be surprised if you happen upon Orlando tourists broadening their search for the perfect vacation spot.

Make one of these cities near Orlando your Central Florida home

There are so many options available to anyone wanting to live as close to the big city as possible. This region of Florida is full of towns to explore and discover in a variety of distances from the hustle and bustle of it all.

These areas are for the Florida residents, not for tourists, so if you’re ready to explore the best places near Orlando to call home, it’s time to start your search. From cities to suburbs, find an apartment located near Orlando today!

Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.com’s multifamily rental property inventory of one-bedroom apartments in January 2022. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each individual unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.

The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.