Orlando real estate vs inflation: did it beat the dollar?
204% × 46%
Updated June 1, 2026 · Redfin · BLS / FRED (CPIAUCNS)
Since 2013, Orlando real estate is up 204% while U.S. consumer prices rose 46%. Orlando real estate far outpaced inflation — but the ride was brutal: its worst drop was 12%. Figures in U.S. dollars.
Base 100 since 2013
Why compare Orlando home prices (US$/m²) and U.S. inflation (CPI-U)
Orlando is a central Florida metro anchored by theme parks, conventions and a large tourism and hospitality workforce, with healthcare and aerospace adding to the base. Like much of Florida it fell hard in the 2008 housing crash and recovered slowly, then ran up after 2020 as the state's no-income-tax draw, warm climate and remote work pulled in buyers, before the pace eased as rates and insurance costs climbed. Prices sit in the mid affordability tier nationally, more affordable than South Florida, with demand tied closely to the region's visitor-driven economy.
Returns by window
| Window | Orlando home prices (US$/m²) | U.S. inflation (CPI-U) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | -2% | 4% |
| 5 years | 41% | 24% |
| 10 years | 108% | 39% |
| since 2013 | 204% | 46% |
The price of return: risk
| Asset | Annual volatility | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|
| Orlando real estate | 14% | -12% |
| Inflation (CPI) | 1% | -2% |
$10,000 in each, since 2013
| Asset | Value today |
|---|---|
| Orlando real estate | $30,354 |
| Inflation (CPI) | $14,553 |
Frequently asked questions
Did Orlando real estate beat inflation?
Over the period, Orlando real estate returned 204% while U.S. consumer prices rose 46%. The gap is what the asset earned beyond simply keeping pace with the dollar.
Does this account for the dollar losing value?
Yes. The inflation line is U.S. CPI, the measure of how much purchasing power the dollar lost over the same period. Returns above that line are gains in real terms.
Does a higher return mean a better investment?
Not on its own. A higher return came with higher risk here — the volatility and the largest drop on this page show how much the value swung along the way.
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Descriptive, educational content computed from official public data. Not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.