It depends on what you want from the property. Orlando has cheaper houses and is the vacation-home market near the theme parks, but short-term rentals are only allowed in specific areas. The Miami and Fort Lauderdale area is more expensive, has beaches, strong annual rentals and the largest Brazilian community, but insurance and flood risk weigh more. None of the three is "the best" for everyone.
The numbers side by side
| Orlando area | Miami–Fort Lauderdale–Palm Beach area | |
|---|---|---|
| House (median, August 2026) | $439,000 (−0.6% over 12 months) | $658,000 (+2.8%) |
| Condo/townhouse (median, August 2026) | $300,000 (−3.2%) | $329,000 (+4.4%) |
| Where Brazilians buy (Aug 2024–Jul 2025) | Brazilian buyers' 2nd-favorite area | Brazilian buyers' 1st-favorite area |
| Most common rental profile | Vacation rentals, in communities built for them | Annual and vacation, depending on the building and the city |
| Storm surge risk | None (it's inland) | High in beach, canal and Intracoastal areas |
Sources: prices from Florida Realtors, August 2026 (metro areas; Orlando's includes Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake counties); where Brazilian buyers bought from Florida Realtors, 2025 international profile.
The medians cover the whole metro area and hide huge differences. Within the city of Fort Lauderdale, for example, the median was about $582,000 in the three months to May 2026 (Redfin). A house on a canal and a condo in a 1970s building are different markets. For the total cost in dollars and in reais, read how much a house in Florida costs.
Orlando: vacation homes, with zoning rules
In its favor. Orlando welcomed 76.7 million visitors in 2025, a record for the city, and Brazil was its third-largest international market, behind Canada and the UK, with 736,300 visitors (Visit Orlando). The demand comes from families renting a house for a week or two near the parks. If you want to use the property on vacation and rent it out the rest of the year, that's Orlando's logic.
The catch. You can't run a vacation rental in just any house. In the city of Orlando, an owner can't rent out the whole house for less than 30 days (City of Orlando). In unincorporated Orange County, short-term rentals also depend on zoning and a county license: confirm the rules for the specific address before you buy. That's why vacation homes are concentrated in communities planned for them, mainly in and around Kissimmee (Experience Kissimmee). In those communities you compete with thousands of similar houses, so occupancy and nightly rates depend heavily on the house and the management.
Inland doesn't mean risk-free. In 2022, Hurricane Ian caused flooding and rescues in Kissimmee and in neighborhoods around Orlando (Central Florida Public Media). Check the flood zone of any address.
Miami: the most international market
Miami Realtors ranks Miami as the top US market for foreign buyers, and Brazilians make up about 7% of those buyers (Miami Realtors, 2025 international report). It's also a market with many pre-construction projects and high-end towers. Many buildings restrict vacation rentals, so in those cases the income comes from annual leases. If you're thinking of buying pre-construction, first read our guide to buying pre-construction in Florida.
Fort Lauderdale and Broward: beaches, annual rentals and the Brazilian community
Broward sits between Miami and Palm Beach. It has beaches and canals and is the Florida county with the most Brazilian immigrants (Migration Policy Institute, 2026). If you're thinking of moving here someday, or want a long-term tenant, that matters: schools, churches, grocery stores and services in Portuguese close to home.
Vacation rentals are allowed under state law, but cities such as Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale require registration and inspection, and many condo associations prohibit them. See the rules in our guide to vacation rentals in Florida and get to know the cities: Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach.
The catch: insurance and the building. FEMA's new pricing method made flood insurance more expensive in the coastal areas of Broward and Palm Beach (WLRN). Older buildings three stories or higher are subject to the inspection and reserve rules created after Surfside, which can lead to special assessments (Withum). Those laws apply statewide, but they weigh more where there are many tall, older buildings, as on the coast.
Flights from Brazil
All three areas have direct flights, but the schedule changes every season:
- Miami and Orlando: LATAM announced, for June 2026, 15 weekly flights from São Paulo-Guarulhos to Miami and 14 to Orlando (Pontos pra Voar, Oct 2025).
- Fort Lauderdale: Azul sells direct flights from Campinas to Fort Lauderdale in 2026 (Azul).
Check current routes before basing a decision on them.
How to choose
- Want a vacation home near the parks and fine with outsourced management? Orlando, in a community where vacation rentals are allowed.
- Want beaches, annual rentals and international liquidity? Miami or Fort Lauderdale, choosing the building carefully.
- Thinking of living here, or want the Brazilian community nearby? Broward (Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coconut Creek) usually makes sense.
- Smaller budget? Compare a condo in South Florida with a house in Orlando, always adding insurance, HOA or condo fees and property tax.
No option guarantees appreciation or income. Also read buying Florida real estate as a foreign national.
Rui's office is in Deerfield Beach, but he works all over Florida, including Orlando, Kissimmee and Miami. If your goal fits Orlando better, he'll tell you so.
FAQ
Orlando or Miami: which is cheaper?
According to Florida Realtors, in August 2026 the median house cost $439,000 in the Orlando area and $658,000 in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–Palm Beach area. For condos the gap was smaller: $300,000 versus $329,000.
Can I put any house in Orlando on Airbnb?
No. In the city of Orlando, an owner can't rent out the whole house for less than 30 days, and in Orange County short-term rentals of single-family homes depend on zoning. Vacation homes are in communities planned for them, mainly in the Kissimmee area.
Where do Brazilians buy the most in Florida?
According to Florida Realtors (August 2024 to July 2025), the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–Palm Beach area received the most purchases by Brazilians, followed by the Orlando area. Together, they account for the vast majority.
Is Fort Lauderdale very different from Miami?
It's in the same metro area, and life revolves around canals and the Intracoastal. Broward County has the largest Brazilian community in Florida. Flood insurance and the condition of the building matter in both.
Does buying in any of these cities get me a green card?
No. Buying property doesn't lead to a visa in any city. See does buying US property get you a green card?
Talk to Rui
Straight answers in English or Portuguese. No pressure.