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Last Updated on: 28th September 2023, 07:41 am
Orlando is quickly becoming one of the most popular cities in Florida. With popular attractions such as Disney World and Universal Studios, as well as many nearby beaches, it is no surprise that more and more couples and families are choosing to move to Orlando every year. If you are interested in being close to Orlando but don’t want to live in the city itself, then you may want to explore the surrounding cities of Orlando.
There are many incredible cities and towns near Orlando, FL that allow you to live outside of the city while still enjoying easy access to all of the amenities it has to offer. Here are a few of the best cities near Orlando for you to consider!
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Largest Cities Near Orlando, FL
Orlando has a population of 307,573, making it the fourth-most populous city in Florida and the most populous inland city in Florida. If Orlando isn’t right for you, but you still want to live in a large city, then there are many options to choose from.
These are the largest cities close to Orlando, Florida, with a population of over 45,000.
Pine Hills | 6.4 Miles From Orlando
- Population: 66,111
- County: Orange
- Median home price: $288,000
- Crime: 3,573 crimes per 100,000 people (52% higher than national average)
Pine Hills is a census-designated place and unincorporated subdivision in Orange County and is just west of Orlando. Pine Hills is known for being incredibly diverse, with a racial and ethnic composition of 14.2% White (8.6% non-Hispanic), 73.1% Black or African American, 5.0% two or more races, 2.3% Asian, and 0.4% American Indian. 31.6% of the residents in Pine Hills are foreign-born, which is much higher than the state average of 21.0%.
Pine Hills has many fun family-friendly attractions for you to enjoy. The CDP borders Lawne Lake, where you can enjoy fishing, kayaking, and picnicking. The area also contains Barnett Park. This park is complete with trails, disc golf, playgrounds, volleyball courts, as well as an area for dogs. This area is also home to the Central Florida Fairgrounds, which hosts the Central Florida Fair every year from late February to early March.
Kissimmee | 22.4 Miles From Orlando
- Population: 79,226
- County: Osceola
- Median home price: $340,000
- Crime: 2,724 crimes per 100,000 people (16.1% higher than national average)
Kissimmee is one of the most populous cities close to Orlando, FL. Kissimmee is the largest city and county seat of Osceola County and has experienced a 32% increase over the past 10 years! Kissimmee is known as the “Vacation Home Capital of the World,” and offers many relaxing amenities such as 22 18-hole golf courses, the charming Lake Toho, and Kissimmee Lakefront Park. The city of Kissimmee is also home to the Osceola County School of Arts, which is ranked by US News as the 29th-best school in Florida and the 2nd-best school in the Orlando metro area.
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One of the biggest draws to the city of Kissimmee is the beautiful real estate. You can find beautiful waterfront real estate for a fairly affordable price. According to Redfin, the average home price in Kissimmee is $340,000, which is less than both the Florida average ($404,700) and the national average ($420,846). The housing market in Kissimmee has been slowing down, with homes sitting on the market for 31 days, compared to 15 days last year. Most of the homes in this area are two-story single-family homes. However, there is no shortage of waterfront mansions priced in the millions.
Sanford | 27.7 Miles From Orlando
- Population: 61,051
- County: Seminole
- Median home price: $359,250
- Crime: 3,059 crimes per 100,000 people (30.4% higher than national average)
When it comes to cities in Orlando, Florida, Sanford is at the top of the list. Sanford is the county seat of Seminole County and spans 27.18 square miles. This city close to Orlando is known as the “Historic Waterfront Gateway City” due to its location on the southern shore of Lake Monroe and the furthest point of the St. Johns River. Sanford has been celebrated for its RiverWalk, which is a planned multi-use trail that allows pedestrians to easily walk to different places within the city.
Sanford’s downtown area is very trendy, and there is always something to do. You can spend the day at the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens or catch a show at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center. Sanford also hosts the annual Oktoberfest in Historic Downtown Sanford during the second weekend in October, so make sure to stop by for some traditional German food, drink, and entertainment!
Apopka | 20.4 Miles From Orlando
- Population: 54,873
- County: Orange
- Median home price: $405,000
- Crime: 2,994 crimes per 100,000 people (27.6% higher than national average)
Apopka is one of the most popular Orlando, FL surrounding cities. Just 20 miles northwest of Orlando, Apopka is nestled alongside the beautiful Lake Apopka. Apopka is often referred to as the “Indoor Foliage Capital of the World” due to its large number of greenhouse nurseries. The Royal Landscape Nursery and the B & S Greenhouse are just a few of the favorites among the locals.
Apopka is a popular place to live among families due to the wonderful schools in the city. The city is served by the Orange County Public School system. There are two top-rated high schools in the area: Apopka High School and Wekiva High School. Apopka High School has a student-to-teacher ratio of 25 to 1, and over 60% of students participate in Advanced Placement classes. Apopka is also home to Forest Lake Academy, which is a top-rated Seventh-day Adventist high school.
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Altamonte Springs | 11.7 Miles From Orlando
- Population: 46,231
- County: Seminole
- Median home price: $260,000
- Crime: 2,563 crimes per 100,000 people (9.2% higher than national average)
First a town in Orlando, Altamonte Springs was incorporated into a city in 1920. Altamonte Springs is directly north of Orlando and is popular among small families and couples. Altamonte Springs is one of the best cities in Orlando, FL for renters. The city is home to some of the best apartment living options around, including Las Palmas by Trion Living, Los Altos at Altamonte Springs, ARIUM Altamonte Springs, and Cortland Uptown Altamonte. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Altamonte Springs is $1,744, which is lower than the Orlando average of $1,940 and lower than the national average of $1,702.
Residents living in Altamonte Springs are very well educated. 94.6% of residents hold a high school degree (or higher), which is higher than the state average of 89.0%. 38.9% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher), which is higher than the state average of 31.5%. According to PayScale, the average salary in Altamonte Springs is $64,000, and some of the top employers include AdventHealth and Orlando Health, Inc.
Winter Garden | 16.9 Miles From Orlando
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- Population: 46,964
- County: Orange
- Median home price: $575,000
- Crime: 2,028 crimes per 100,000 people (13.6% lower than national average)
Winter Garden is one of the best cities around Orlando, FL. Just a short commute to Orlando, Winter Garden is a beautiful suburban city with many fun things to do. The city is well-known for its low crime rates, with an overall crime rate that is 5.8% lower than the state average and 13.6% lower than the national average. The violent crime rate is 16.1% lower than the state average and 17.0% lower than the national average.
The city is also known for its unique dining, arts, shopping, and entertainment options. Winter Garden’s downtown district is home to some of the best food and drink in the entire state, such as Crooked Can Brewing Company, Plant Street Market, and The Attic Door. You can also enjoy historical attractions such as the Heritage Foundation’s Central Florida Railroad Museum and the Winter Garden Heritage Museum.
Other Cities in Orlando
If big-city living isn’t your style, then there are plenty of cities and towns in Orlando with a smaller population. The following cities around Orlando have populations ranging from 20,000 to 45,000.
Winter Park is one of the most popular cities near Orlando, FL among families. There are many top-rated schools in this area, including Winter Park High School, which was recently named by US News as the third-best high school in the Orlando metro area. Oviedo is a quickly growing city near Orlando, with a population increase of 26% over the past decade! Casselberry is popular among retirees as there are 17 parks in the area, including Branch Tree Park, Dew Drop Park, and Wirz Park.
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Cities & Towns Near Orlando, FL
County | Population (2020) | Distance From Orlando | |
| Winter Springs | Seminole | 38,317 | 23.7 miles |
| Oviedo | Seminole | 33,559 | 18.8 miles |
| Winter Park | Orange | 29,131 | 7.9 miles |
| Casselberry | Seminole | 29,093 | 13.6 miles |
| Oak Ridge | Orange | 23,596 | 7.2 miles |
Map of Cities Near Orlando and Surrounding Areas
Small Cities & Towns Near Orlando
If you really want a small-town feel while still having access to the big city, then there are many wonderful cities and towns near Orlando, Florida for you to choose from. These cities and towns around Orlando, FL have a population of under 20,000.
Pine Castle is the closest city to Orlando and is home to top-rated schools such as Pine Castle Christian Academy and Pine Castle Elementary School. Both Conway and Fairview Shores are known for their affordable real estate and rich history. Maitland is one of the oldest cities around Orlando, FL, and is also a suburb of the city.
County | Population (2020) | Distance From Orlando | |
| Fairview Shores | Orange | 10,310 | 6.5 miles |
| Conway | Orange | 13,266 | 5.9 miles |
| Pine Castle | Orange | 11,567 | 4.9 miles |
| Azalea Park | Orange | 15,495 | 5.2 miles |
| Maitland | Orange | 18,959 | 10.9 miles |
Major Cities Near Orlando
One of the biggest benefits of living in or around Orlando is the easy access to many other major cities. When living in the area, you’ll have plenty of options for weekend trips or vacations. Here are just a few cities near Orlando under 800 miles away.
Major Cities Near Orlando Florida
| City | Population | Distance From Orlando |
| Tampa, FL | 387,050 | 84.4 miles |
| Miami, FL | 439,890 | 235 miles |
| Jacksonville, FL | 954,614 | 141 miles |
| Atlanta, GA | 496,461 | 438 miles |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 37,100 | 499 miles |
| Charleston, SC | 151,612 | 380 miles |
| New Orleans, LA | 376,971 | 640 miles |
| Birmingham, AL | 197,575 | 543 miles |
| Chattanooga, TN | 182,113 | 555 miles |
| Nashville, TN | 692,587 | 687 miles |
Orlando Area Cities FAQ
What Are the Closest Cities to Orlando?
Cities close to Orlando include:
- Pine Castle: 4.9 miles away
- Azalea Park: 5.2 miles away
- Conway: 5.9 miles away
- Pine Hills: 6.4 miles away
- Fairview Shores: 6.5 miles away
What Major Cities Are Near Orlando?
Major cities around Orlando, Florida include:
- Tampa, FL: 84.4 miles away
- Jacksonville, FL: 141 miles away
- Miami, FL: 235 miles away
- Charleston, SC: 380 miles away
- Atlanta, GA: 438 miles away
- Myrtle Beach, SC: 499 miles away
- Birmingham, AL: 543 miles away
- Chattanooga, TN: 555 miles away
- New Orleans, LA: 640 miles away
- Nashville, TN: 687 miles away
What Cities Are 30 Minutes From Orlando?
Some surrounding cities of Orlando, FL that are less than a 30-minute drive include Apopka, Altamonte Springs, Winter Garden, Maitland, and Winter Park.
Any one of these cities and towns in Orlando, Florida would be a great place to settle down and raise your family. No matter which city close to Orlando is calling your name, 2 College Brothers is here to help. Give our Orlando moving company a call today at 813-922-1529.
