Gainesville FL vs Plymouth MN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 79,526 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 40.7 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 59.2% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 21.6% | 5.0% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 4.7% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $514,358 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1992 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.5% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.5 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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