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Cost of Living in Polk County, FL

Population 790,694 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,363
Median home value$266,500
Median household income$65,978

The median rent in Polk County, FL is $1,363/month, 18% lower than the Florida median and 4% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $266,500, 20% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $65,978 a year, 12% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 24.8%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $54,520/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 4.0×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,348/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Polk County vs. Florida vs. U.S.

Polk CountyFloridaU.S.
Median rent$1,363$1,669$1,413
Median home value$266,500$359,000$332,700
Median household income$65,978$74,568$80,734
Homeownership rate70.5%67.6%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher23.5%34.1%35.7%
Poverty rate14.5%12.6%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.8%4.8%5.2%
Work from home12.4%15.7%15.1%
Median age39.542.638.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Polk County, FL?

The median gross rent in Polk County, FL is $1,363 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Polk County, FL?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $54,520 a year in gross income.

Is Polk County, FL expensive to live in?

Rent there is 4% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 4.0 times the median household income.

Other counties in Florida

Miami-Dade County, FLRent $1,829 · Income $71,753Broward County, FLRent $1,907 · Income $77,633Palm Beach County, FLRent $1,916 · Income $83,581Hillsborough County, FLRent $1,667 · Income $79,540Orange County, FLRent $1,775 · Income $79,719Duval County, FLRent $1,475 · Income $71,277

Counties with a similar cost of living

Merced County, CARent $1,343 · Income $65,510Richmond city, VARent $1,372 · Income $64,587St. John the Baptist Parish, LARent $1,334 · Income $66,630Jasper County, SCRent $1,328 · Income $65,613Norfolk city, VARent $1,321 · Income $66,109Yavapai County, AZRent $1,351 · Income $69,613

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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