Boca Raton FL vs Gainesville FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boca Raton
98,833
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Gainesville
12.1%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Gainesville
13.4%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 12.1% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 59.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 13.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Gainesville
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Gainesville
51.7%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $45,611 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $30,282 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 28.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 51.7% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 38.5% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Gainesville
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Gainesville
1453
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Gainesville
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Gainesville
11.8%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 31.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 21.3% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.8% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Boca Raton. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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