Osceola County · Local guide
Living in St. Cloud, Florida
St. Cloud is an Osceola County city on the south shore of East Lake Tohopekaliga, about 10 miles east of Kissimmee. It has a small historic downtown and a lakefront park, with many newer communities to the north and east.
Getting around
- Downtown Orlando: about 26 miles via Florida's Turnpike or Narcoossee Road
- Orlando International Airport and Lake Nona: about 20 miles
- Walt Disney World: about 25 miles via US 192
- Main roads: US 192, Florida's Turnpike, Narcoossee Road
Rough driving distances; times depend on traffic.
Things to do
- St. Cloud Lakefront Park, marina and splash pad on East Lake Toho
- Fishing and boating on East Lake Tohopekaliga
- The Florida Trail and nearby nature preserves
- Downtown events on 10th Street
Homes in St. Cloud
You'll find older homes near downtown and the lake, and many newer master-planned communities to the north toward Lake Nona and east along US 192. New construction is common, and many newer communities have an HOA, and some a CDD.
Costs to plan for
- Check for CDD fees on newer communities
- Lakefront homes may need flood insurance; check the flood zone
- Commute times to Orlando depend on the Turnpike and Narcoossee Road traffic
Florida homeowner costs guide →
Work out the true monthly cost →
Get St. Cloud homes sent to you
Tell us your budget and must-haves. We'll set up an MLS search so new St. Cloud listings come straight to you, including homes coming soon.
Selling a home in St. Cloud?
See what your home could sell for and what you'd walk away with after costs.
Buying in St. Cloud: what to check
Check any home with these official sites
- City of St. Cloud (city services, permits, local news)
- Osceola County Property Appraiser (value, taxes, homestead)
- Osceola County Schools (school zones)
- FEMA flood map search (is the home in a flood zone?)
- Our Florida schools guide (types of school, scholarships and official grades)
- Osceola County school grades and rankings (every public school, official 2025-26 results)
What to look for when you view a home, plus a printable checklist →
Example: the loan part of the payment
A $380,000 home with 5% down ($19,000) and a 30-year loan at 6.5% works out at about $2,282 a month for principal and interest.
On top of that come property tax, home insurance, mortgage insurance and any HOA or CDD fees, which vary a lot from one home to the next in St. Cloud.
Work out the full monthly cost for a home you like →
Example only, not a quote. Rates change daily, and your rate depends on your credit, down payment and loan type.
Nearby areas
Kissimmee Lake Nona Davenport & Four Corners All areas Florida map
Common questions
How far is St. Cloud from Orlando and the theme parks?
Downtown Orlando: about 26 miles via Florida's Turnpike or Narcoossee Road. Orlando International Airport and Lake Nona: about 20 miles. Walt Disney World: about 25 miles via US 192. Main roads: US 192, Florida's Turnpike, Narcoossee Road. Times depend on traffic.
What costs should I plan for when buying a home in St. Cloud?
Check for CDD fees on newer communities. Lakefront homes may need flood insurance; check the flood zone. Commute times to Orlando depend on the Turnpike and Narcoossee Road traffic. Our Florida homeowner costs guide explains property tax, homestead, insurance, HOA and CDD fees.
Can Bill help me buy or sell a home in St. Cloud?
Yes. Bill McElhill is a Realtor and a licensed mortgage loan originator who works across Florida, so he can help with the home and the loan. Call or text 352-988-4900, or use the form on this page to get matching homes sent to you.
How can I lower property taxes on a home in St. Cloud?
If it's your main home, apply for Florida's homestead exemption with the Osceola County property appraiser by March 1 of the year after you buy. It takes up to $50,000 off the taxable value (the second $25,000 doesn't apply to school taxes), and the Save Our Homes rule then limits yearly increases in the assessed value to 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower.
General information for 2026; check details such as fees, flood zones and rental rules for any home you're considering. In line with fair housing law, we describe places and homes, not the people who live there, and the choice of where to live is always yours.
Educational information only. This page gives general information to help you learn and plan. It is not legal, tax, financial or other professional advice, or an offer to lend. For advice on your situation, talk to a licensed professional. Terms of use