What to Know About Kissimmee Real Estate

There are few places in the US where you can live lakefront, near world-famous theme parks, and have an incredibly high quality of life. Kissimmee, FL, is one of those places. Sunny Kissimmee should be on your list of places to buy for countless reasons. An ideal location near Disney World and other Orlando family attractions, a great school district, and friendly people around every street corner are just the start. If you’re on the lookout for your dream home in Kissimmee – or just curious about what’s available – read through our city profile.

About Kissimmee, FL

Discover Kissimmee, a lesser-known gem outside of Orlando and the largest city in Osceola County. Once a land of swamps and wild horses, this suburb has transformed into a thriving small city on the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga.

While Kissimmee is conveniently near famous theme parks like Walt Disney World Resort and SeaWorld Orlando, life goes beyond the tourist attractions. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors of lakefront Kissimmee. Escape from the city to Florida ranches and citrus farms or riding airboats at the Everglades headwaters. In town, the Main Street downtown has character radiating out of its brick and columned storefronts and shady live oak trees.

What is the cost of living in Kissimmee?

Great news if you’re looking to live near the resorts but want to keep your spending in check. Kissimmee’s overall cost of living is 2% cheaper than the national average and 5% cheaper than the Florida average. And, if you do a side-by-side of expenses compared to living in nearby Orlando, Kissimmee wins in every category but utilities.

Housing is where you’ll realize the most savings, as homes are under the national and state median by as much as 11%. But, living so close to a high-demand tourist area, there will be a trade-off with higher other essential costs like transportation and utilities.

To make ends meet living in Kissimmee, a family of four with two children and one working adult would need an annual pre-tax income of $81,765. A single adult would need $38,766. Those figures are as of 2022.

What is the Kissimmee real estate market like?

Kissimmee has an active housing market, with properties ranging from historic downtown homes to lakefront condos to old Florida homesteads. August 2023 had 2,322 listings at an average price of $395,743, which was up 4.6% year-over-year. The average price per sq ft was $212. Prices ranged from $11,000 to $20 million.

Kissimmee is part of the Osceola housing market, which had a 6.7% reduction in year-over-year listings, but a 3.1% bump in median sale prices. The active inventory remains low for the whole region, with a 3.2 months supply in June 2023. 

Condos and Townhomes

As a vacation destination, the Kissimmee real estate market has a large segment of properties catering to the maintenance-free lifestyle, either as retirement communities, vacation rentals, or affordable full-time living. In June 2023, Osceola County had 260 closed sales and 803 active listings classified as condos or townhomes, with a median sale price of $325,000. There was a 3.8-month supply at that time. 

Your options in August 2023 ranged from $70,000 for a condo-hotel studio listing to a new construction townhome with five bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, and over 2,600 sq ft for $780,000.

Waterfront living

Experience the magic of Lake Tohopekaliga, affectionately known locally as “Lake Toho.” Covering 23,000 acres, it’s the seventh-largest lake in Florida, promising to be an excellent lakefront getaway.

Lake Toho is a dream come true if you’re a fishing enthusiast. This dam-controlled lake has gained a reputation as a hotspot for monster bass, making it a must-visit for freshwater anglers. In fact, it was recognized by Field and Stream Magazine as one of the top 10 best fishing spots in all of North America back in 2006.

Much of the Lake Toho waterfront near downtown Kissimmee is a community park. Still, you’ll find lakefront living options on both sides of the northern end. One such community is Shingle Creek, which has Lake Toho access but also a chain of lakes and canals inside its borders. 

Kissimmee real estate has many other waterfront living options, mostly in the form of retention ponds and small lakes. These features are commonplace in central Florida, which used to be swampland. Real estate developers drained the swamps for their farmland and developing properties. However, the low-lying area still needs lakes and ponds for flood control. 

Golf course living

Central Florida might overwhelm you with its golf course community selection. These developments have incredible golf course amenities that cater to various price points. In Kissimmee, the Oaks National Golf Club community near Shingle Creek surrounds a championship 18-hole course. It’s a public golf course that often ranks among the best in the United States and carries a four-star rating from Golf Digest. Most of the single-family homes are lakefront or very close to it. Home plans range from two-to-four bedrooms. Plans in 2022 call for more townhomes and single-family homes to be added to the community.

What are some top neighborhoods to live in Kissimmee?

Kissimmee is a city where you can have fun at the attractions and enjoy tranquility in the great outdoors. The city’s neighborhoods exemplify this balance, as they have a prime location to the Orlando metro and the area’s parks and Lake Toho. 

These neighborhoods come with all kinds of features. Some are gated for added security, others offer golfing opportunities, and some are alongside picturesque lakes. No matter the perks, each neighborhood is a sight to behold, with perfectly groomed palm-tree-lined streets, gorgeous landscaping, and captivating architecture.

The Oaks is one of the top communities to live in Kissimmee, as it’s prized for its golf course and lakefront living options. Most of the properties here are single-family homes. 

Weston Reserve also has lakefront properties, which are convenient to the daily essentials, like a Publix Supermarket. A walking path connects to Shingle Creek, and there is an HOA.

Reunion is a master-planned neighborhood and resort with a prime location to the Walt Disney World Resort. It’s best known for the vacation rental resort with its multiple pools and golf course, but it does have opulent homes for sale, with some up to 15,000 sq ft. There are multiple sub-neighborhoods inside Reunion.

Crescent Lakes backs to a conservation area and mixes vacation rentals with single-family homes. Inside the secure community is a playground and community park. Outside are grocery stores and restaurants. 

Doral Woods has slightly larger lots, ranging from a quarter to a full acre of land. It’s more residential-oriented than other neighborhoods (read: fewer vacation rentals). Community perks include a playground, pool, and tennis courts. Two nature reserves are nearby, as is an equestrian center.  

Kissimmee Property Taxes 

Florida property taxes can be complicated, with varying homestead exemptions for country and school district taxes, waivers for retirement age, discounts for early payments, and more. We recommended learning about Florida’s property tax structure for clarity.

Real estate taxes are owed for property owned starting November 1. Tax bills are due in full by April 1. For 2022, Osceola County charged 7.16 mils. Kissimmee charged 5.516 for the Osceola School District, 4.623 for the city, and .02301 for the water management district. Combined, this was 17.5340 mils.

What is there to do in Kissimmee?

The obvious draw is the Orlando theme park attractions like Walt Disney World Resort and SeaWorld Orlando. This city is one of the closest towns to the Walt Disney World Resort, with attractions like Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Blizzard Beach. But it’s also a good base for visiting Universal Studios Resort.

But Kissimmee is more than roller coasters and parades. Find a balance between outdoor adventure and entertainment.

Nature lovers will be thrilled by the state parks, wetlands areas, and wildlife conservation centers near Kissimmee. Stroll through the Kissimmee Waterfront Park with amenities like a fishing pier, playgrounds, and walking paths. Indulge in fishing and boating on Lake Toho, try biking one of the miles-long trails, or go horseback riding on nearby ranches. Take an airboat ride through the swamps and wetlands, which are headwaters for the Florida Everglades and its National Park.

When it comes to nightlife, the Old Town Kissimmee area is the local family-friendly entertainment district. It buzzes with restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. Have fun at car shows or ride the Ferris Wheel. Catch a live music act or enjoy Latin Fest on the first Sunday of the month. And for shopping enthusiasts, Kissimmee has perks like farmer’s markets and antique stores.

What is near Kissimmee, FL?

As a central Florida suburb, Kissimmee ranks as one of the best suburbs to live in Orlando. It’s in the southwestern quadrant of the metro but super close to many great places to live, work, and play.

For example, Celebration, a planned New Urbanism community created by The Walt Disney Company, is just a few miles northeast of Kissimmee. Explore its picturesque downtown area as you walk its restaurants and shops.

To the southeast, St. Cloud is Kissimmee’s sister city and the only other incorporated town in Osceola. It’s prized for its various recreational opportunities, particularly lakefront activities like airboat adventures.

Winter Haven is known for its Chain of Lakes and is home to Legoland Florida Resort. It’s to the west from Kissimmee on I-4.

And we can’t forget Orlando, a world-famous city for its theme parks, entertainment, and cultural attractions. The town brings in its fair share of visitors, but Orlando also has a diverse job market, one of the state’s largest universities, and incredible shopping options. Locals also love the selection of lakes, parks, and cycling paths.

Living in Kissimmee, FL

Kissimmee provides a welcoming environment for residents of all ages. With its proximity to world-renowned theme parks like Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, residents enjoy an excess of entertainment options. As a place to live, the city’s neighborhoods cater to various lifestyles, with tranquil suburban communities, upscale developments, and active adult communities. Come find your Kissimmee dream home and search today’s listings.