Short answer: In Orlando, FL, the median home value is $430,200 and the median 3-bedroom rents for $2,293/mo (Census ACS 2024). That's a rent-to-price ratio of 0.53%, so it misses the 1% rule and ranks #22 of the 50 largest US rental markets. With 20% down at 7.40%, FirstDoor scores a median-priced home Pass (−$1,013/mo cash flow).
Key numbers
The 1% rule in Orlando
The 1% rule says monthly rent should be at least 1% of the price. Here's how Orlando compares.
Across all rentals (not just 3-bedrooms) the ratio is 0.43%. A home renting for the median 3-bedroom rent would need to cost about $229,000 or less to pass.
A typical Orlando home, scored
We took a home at the median value, gave it the median 3-bedroom rent, and ran it through the same math as the FirstDoor calculator: 20% down, a 30-year loan at 7.40%, the city's median tax rate, and standard expense budgets.
| 3-bedroom rent (median) | $2,293 |
| Property tax ($3,423/yr, local median) | −$285 |
| Insurance ($2,150/yr, assumed) | −$179 |
| Vacancy 7% · Maintenance 5% · Management 8% | −$459 |
| Net operating income | $1,370 |
| Mortgage (P&I on $344,160 at 7.40%) | −$2,383 |
| Monthly cash flow | −$1,013 |
What price works in Orlando?
Price is the lever you control. Holding rent at the Orlando median, these are the price ceilings for each FirstDoor result.
Takeaways
- A 0.53% rent-to-price ratio puts Orlando in the middle of the pack (#22 of 50). Expect to hunt for below-median prices to make the numbers work.
- A median-priced home here would cost you about $1,013/mo out of pocket after the mortgage and every expense. To break even you'd need to pay about $277,000, 36% below the median.
- Prices are outrunning rents: home values rose 10.6% from 2023 to 2024 while 3-bedroom rent rose 6.3%. The 1% math got tougher.
- Renters are the majority here (63% of households), so the tenant pool is deep.
- Renters already spend a median 33.8% of income on rent, so don't count on big rent increases.
Frequently asked questions
Does Orlando pass the 1% rule?
No, on typical numbers. The median 3-bedroom gross rent is $2,293/mo and the median home value is $430,200 (Census ACS 2024 1-year), a ratio of 0.53%. To pass at that rent, a home would need to cost about $229,000 or less.
What is the typical rent for a 3-bedroom in Orlando?
The median gross rent for a 3-bedroom in Orlando, FL is $2,293 a month, and $1,841 across all rentals (Census ACS 2024 1-year). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays, so the landlord's share can be a bit lower. The 3-bedroom median rose 6.3% from 2023.
Can you cash flow a rental in Orlando?
At the median price, not easily. With 20% down at 7.40% and realistic expenses, a $430,200 home renting for $2,293 loses about $1,013/mo. It breaks even at roughly $277,000.
How much cash do you need to buy a typical rental in Orlando?
About $98,940: a 20% down payment of $86,040 plus closing costs we assume at 3% ($12,900). Lenders often also want several months of reserves. Investment loans commonly need 15–25% down.
Is Orlando a good place to buy a first rental?
FirstDoor scores a median-priced home in Orlando as Pass (0 of 8 points). That's a starting point, not a verdict on every listing: neighborhoods vary, and buying below the median changes the math. Run any listing through the free calculator.
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Sources
Data: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey 1-year estimates (released September 2025); year-over-year changes compare with 2023. Mortgage rate: Freddie Mac PMMS, week of October 15, 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026. Insurance ($2,150/yr), closing costs (3%), maintenance (5%) and management (8%) are FirstDoor assumptions, not local data. Investment-property loans often price above the PMMS average. Medians describe the whole city, not any one home. Educational content, not financial advice.