City Comparison

Ithaca vs Kissimmee

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Ithaca

New York
94
Below Average
$324,000
Median Home
$1,475/mo
Median Rent
$48,600
Median Income

Kissimmee

Florida
101
Average
$365,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$51,300
Median Income

The Verdict

6.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.9%, with Ithaca being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Ithaca has equivalent purchasing power to $80,585 in Kissimmee.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
117
Ithaca
111
Kissimmee
Groceries
103
Ithaca
100
Kissimmee
Utilities
102
Ithaca
88
Kissimmee
Transportation
96
Ithaca
95
Kissimmee
Healthcare
99
Ithaca
90
Kissimmee

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Ithaca has the same purchasing power as $80,585 in Kissimmee.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kissimmee equals $69,802 in Ithaca.

Living in Ithaca vs Kissimmee

Housing Costs

Ithaca's housing index of 117 is higher Kissimmee's 111, translating to median home prices of $324,000 vs $365,000. The $41,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,664 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Ithaca compared to $1,425/mo in Kissimmee, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Ithaca and 100 in Kissimmee. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Ithaca vs $475/month in Kissimmee. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Ithaca and 88 in Kissimmee. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Ithaca vs $352 in Kissimmee. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 99 in Ithaca and 90 in Kissimmee. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,600 in Ithaca and $51,300 in Kissimmee. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,702 and $50,792 respectively. Ithaca residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,134/month to housing in Ithaca vs $1,197/month in Kissimmee. In Ithaca, median rent of $1,475/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Kissimmee, median rent of $1,425/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ithaca is 6.9% more affordable overall with an index of 94 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Ithaca has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,585 in Kissimmee, based on the cost of living difference.
Ithaca's housing index is 117 with median homes at $324,000, while Kissimmee's is 111 with median homes at $365,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases