Before you move, find out the pros and cons of both
If you’re thinking of moving to Florida, there are many great choices and it’s hard to go wrong. Two great options are counties that sit side-by-side in North Central Florida. But how do you choose between Alachua County vs Marion County?
This quick guide will give you some of the highlights that will differentiate two welcoming counties. As you’re considering a move, here’s what you should be comparing and contrasting.
Is Marion County the largest county in Florida?
In terms of size, Miami-Dade County is the largest in Florida. In addition, the top five biggest counties all have populations of more than 1 million people.
Marion County comes in at #19 with a population of 385,915. And Alachua County is #24 with a population of 279,238. While they’re not the largest counties, they offer a short drive to all of Florida’s major metropolitan areas.
Orlando is less than two hours south of both of these neighboring counties. Jacksonville is about 1.5 hours north. And if you want to spend a day driving, you can get to Miami in five hours.
Which is cheaper: Alachua County vs Marion County
If you choose to live in one of the bigger cities in the county, your cost of living will vary. For example, Gainesville is the biggest city in Alachua County. The cost of living there is about 7% more than in the largest city of Marion County – Ocala.
Housing is also significantly cheaper in Ocala, averaging about 22.8% less than in Gainesville. Taxes are a bit higher in Alachua county as well. But incomes are equally about 7.5% higher in Alachua County with the average household income reaching $50,089 compared to $46,587 in Marion County.
What is nice about Alachua County?
The top cities in Alachua County are:
- Gainesville
- Alachua
- Newberry
- High Springs
Plus, there are a number of smaller towns and communities. The University of Florida is located in Gainesville and brings college students to the area. There’s also a big retirement community. Aand Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park and Florida Museum National History attract younger families.
Plenty of small towns across the county give you a cozy country feel without being too far from major cities.
What is nice about Marion County?
The top cities in Marion County are:
- Ocala
- Belleview
- Dunnellon
There are also a number of smaller towns and communities. Ocala offers the Ocala International Airport, which is 30 miles south of the Gainesville Regional Airport.
There’s quite a bit more housing supply in Marion County by about 56,000 housing units. In addition, there are a few more employment opportunities.
Scott Coldwell can help you find the right home in either Florida county
Trying to decide between Alachua County vs Marion County can be a tough choice. They’re right next to each other and offer a very similar quality of life, but you may still prefer one over the other.
If you love Gainesville or want to be in Ocala, the attractions of each city could be a defining factor for you.
Whatever you choose for you and your loved ones, Scott Coldwell and his team can help. Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty – Coldwell Real Estate Services helps clients like you find homes in Florida.
If you’d like to look at homes in both counties, give us a call!
House hunting doesn’t have to be difficult, you just have to know the right realtor to work with. And if you have more questions about buying a house in Alachua County vs Marion County, let Scott and the team know.
You can call us at 352-290-3512 or use the form and we’ll get back to you right away.
