How do the two cities compare in size and age?
They sit in different counties and operate at different scales. Kissimmee has nearly five times Davenport’s population and nearly five times its land area. Davenport, on the other hand, has grown far faster since 2020.
| Item | Davenport | Kissimmee |
|---|---|---|
| County | Polk | Osceola |
| Population, July 1, 2025 | 18,110 | 85,591 |
| Population, July 1, 2020 | 9,684 | 79,215 |
| Growth 2020 to 2025 (July to July) | about 87% | about 8% |
| Land area (2024 boundaries) | 4.4 sq mi | 21.5 sq mi |
| Incorporated | 1915 | 1883 |
| County population, 2025 | 874,790 | 481,718 |
Growth percentages are my own math on the Census series. At the county level, Polk grew about 20% and Osceola about 23% over the same window. Kissimmee’s official history records the 1883 vote that incorporated Allendale as “Kissimmee City,” and Osceola became Florida’s 40th county in 1887. Davenport incorporated in 1915, per the city.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, city and county estimates, Vintage 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer · City of Kissimmee, History of the City · City of Davenport, History
Which one is closer to Disney?
City hall to city hall, Kissimmee wins: 15.7 miles (25.3 km) and 27 minutes to the Magic Kingdom Transportation and Ticket Center, versus 22.1 miles (35.6 km) and 33 minutes from Davenport City Hall.
But nobody buys city hall. The comparison that matters starts at the property. Aquamara sits northeast of downtown Davenport and is 3.7 miles closer to Magic Kingdom parking than Davenport’s own City Hall. That is why I compare address to address, not city to city.
| Starting point | Miles | km | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kissimmee City Hall | 15.7 | 25.3 | 27 |
| Aquamara (US 17-92 at Ernie Caldwell Blvd) | 18.4 | 29.7 | 29 |
| Davenport City Hall | 22.1 | 35.6 | 33 |
Routes calculated with OpenStreetMap (OSRM), without traffic, as of November 14, 2026; rush hour adds time. For Universal, the airport and other destinations from the site, see Aquamara near Disney.
Sources: Routing: OpenStreetMap via OSRM, as of November 14, 2026
How do short-term rental taxes differ between Polk and Osceola?
Florida’s 6% tax on transient rentals is a state tax, so it applies equally in both cities. The difference is the county Tourist Development Tax (TDT): Polk levies 5%, paid monthly to the Polk County Tax Collector, while Osceola has levied 6% since July 1, 2004, according to the Osceola County Tax Collector.
Each county also adds a discretionary sales surtax. Polk’s totals 1% in 2026, bringing Polk’s combined official rate to 12%. Osceola’s surtax was not part of this research, so I do not publish a combined figure for Kissimmee.
| Layer | Davenport (Polk) | Kissimmee (Osceola) |
|---|---|---|
| Florida state tax | 6% | 6% |
| County Tourist Development Tax | 5% | 6% |
| County discretionary surtax (2026) | 1% | not researched here |
These taxes are charged to the guest on the nightly rate, not to the owner on the property. A lower rate does not by itself tell you which city suits your plans; purchase price, HOA dues, local rules and management weigh just as much. Talk to a Florida CPA and check the official county pages: the Polk County Tax Collector and the Osceola County Tax Collector. I also wrote about local taxes in Kissimmee for foreign owners.
Sources: Florida Statutes 212.03 (2026) · Polk County Tax Collector, Tourist Development Tax · Osceola County Tax Collector, Tourist Development Tax · Florida DOR, DR-15DSS, 2026 surtax rates
What changes in practice for a buyer?
The rulebook changes. A property inside city limits answers to the city and the county. For Aquamara, Ordinance 1354 states the land lies entirely within the incorporated limits of the City of Davenport, so Davenport and Polk County rules apply. Inside Kissimmee, it is the city plus Osceola County.
The character of the place differs too. Kissimmee is older and larger, at about 85,000 residents. Davenport is smaller and nearly doubled in five years. Both have vacation-home resorts: in Kissimmee, for example, Storey Lake and Sonoma Resort; in Davenport, Solterra.
For the licensing side in Polk, see Polk County short-term rental licensing.
Sources: City of Davenport, Ordinance 1354
Aquamara
How Aquamara fits
Aquamara is in Davenport, which puts it in Polk County with the 5% TDT. Because it sits northeast of downtown, its drive to Magic Kingdom (18.4 miles) lands between Kissimmee City Hall’s and Davenport City Hall’s.
If you are choosing between the two cities, compare specific homes using the same starting point and destination. To get Aquamara pricing and floor plans when Pulte releases them, join the Aquamara VIP list.
Frequently asked questions
Is Davenport part of Kissimmee?
No. They are separate cities in separate counties: Davenport in Polk, Kissimmee in Osceola.
Which county has the lower tourist tax?
Polk, at 5%, versus 6% in Osceola. Both stack on top of Florida’s 6% state tax and the county surtax.
Is Kissimmee always closer to Disney than Davenport?
City hall to city hall, yes. It depends on the address, though: Aquamara in Davenport is 18.4 miles from Magic Kingdom parking, 3.7 miles less than Davenport City Hall.
Which city is better for a vacation rental?
There is no general answer. Tax, distance and rules help you compare, but outcomes depend on the property, its costs and its management. Compare real listings side by side.
Published . Updated . For information only; not legal, accounting or tax advice.