Lake Helen, FL vs Odessa, FL
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lake Helen is 20% cheaper than Odessa. With a cost index of 101 vs 126, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lake Helen to Odessa should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Lake Helen is $1,255/month compared to $1,620/month in Odessa — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lake Helen is more affordable at $344,900 median vs $503,400.
Median household income in Lake Helen is $94,952 compared to $116,870 in Odessa (-18.8%). The higher salaries in Odessa partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lake Helen spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, less than the 16.6% in Odessa.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (73.2°F vs 74.5°F). Lake Helen receives more rainfall at 49.6" per year compared to 49.5" in Odessa.
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NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)