2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Kissimmee

Florida (FL)

Best for: Hospitality workers, multicultural families and households who value proximity to Orlando attractions and jobs while seeking lower home prices than many Orlando suburbs.

2027 CITY CLASSSmall City25,000–99,999 residents

Modern Livability74.5/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population85,591

Median Home$304,400

Median Rent$1,647

Median Household Income$53,758

Cost of Living~102.0 (US=100; 2024 MSA)

Average Commute33.7 min

Unemployment~4.5% metro (Jul 2026)

Metro AreaOrlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

74.5overall

Housing & Financial Reality76.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living56.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability61.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity80.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness75.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place76.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion57.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape78.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging96.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment72.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture88.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity85.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate to high. Local streets may be manageable, but Orlando-region growth and major corridors can make longer commutes unpredictable.

Weekend EscapeVery good. Lakes, springs, state parks and both coasts are available for day trips, with a wide range of Central Florida recreation nearby.

WalkabilityAbout 44/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is car-dependent overall, so neighborhood choice strongly affects daily convenience.

Airport AccessExcellent regional access. Orlando International is a major global airport, though tourist and commuter traffic can make trip times variable.

Outdoor AccessVery good for lakes, trails, family recreation and access to Central Florida springs and preserves.

Healthcare AccessStrong to exceptional regional healthcare access, with major hospital and specialty services available locally or nearby.

Air QualityGenerally manageable, with summer ozone, heat, humidity, pollen and occasional wildfire smoke as the main seasonal concerns.

Third Places / Social LifeGood to very good. Restaurants, parks, cafés, community events and neighborhood commercial areas provide regular gathering places, with depth varying by neighborhood.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Improving

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Kissimmee earns attention in the 2027 MNM Livability Index because its strongest qualities are diversity; housing value; tourism economy; orlando access; airport access; restaurants and family entertainment. The score is not based on one traditional statistic: it balances housing, ease of living, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure. Its biggest tradeoffs are long commute; tourist traffic; lower incomes; housing burden; car dependence; summer heat.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Kissimmee feels energetic, diverse and tourism-adjacent. Historic downtown has local character, but much of daily life is shaped by regional growth, visitor traffic and long commutes.

STRENGTHS