The Gainesville metro is home to 208,395 people (up 6.3% over five years), with a median household income of $77,430. Typical rent of $1,701/month works out to 26.4% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Gainesville's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 17.6% |
| Manufacturing | 16.3% |
| Professional & management | 12.0% |
| Retail trade | 11.1% |
| Construction | 10.7% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 26.4% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Gainesville market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,701/month suggests a household income around $68,000/year. The metro's median household income is $77,430.
By workforce share: Education & health care (17.6%), Manufacturing (16.3%), Professional & management (12.0%) (Census ACS 5-year).