salaryRent is higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.1 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $107,400 a year. That is $52 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Florida cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Florida. It is number 426 of 479 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Destin?
Share of households by yearly income. 35.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Destin
| Size | Destin | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $2,049 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,826 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,820 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,543 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Destin overall?
Everyday prices in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin metro area are 3% below the U.S. average (index 97.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Destin
Life in Destin
What jobs pay in Destin
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,070 | 23.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $130,730 | 24.6% |
| Software Developer | $130,640 | 24.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,680 | 25.8% |
| Lawyer | $106,880 | 30.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,820 | 31.6% |
| Operations Manager | $100,070 | 32.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $98,410 | 32.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $88,030 | 36.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,260 | 39.7% |
| Accountant | $79,510 | 40.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $62,180 | 51.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,330 | 53.4% |
| Police Officer | $59,130 | 54.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,060 | 54.6% |
| Electrician | $57,200 | 56.3% |
| Firefighter | $56,620 | 56.9% |
| Plumber | $52,020 | 61.9% |
| Carpenter | $48,940 | 65.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $48,810 | 66.0% |
| Truck Driver | $47,940 | 67.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,580 | 81.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,240 | 82.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,880 | 85.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,370 | 86.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,970 | 87.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,600 | 88.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,920 | 95.0% |
| Cashier | $31,000 | 103.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Destin?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $717 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $490,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $49,030 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Destin, FL?
Renting in Destin costs a median of about $2,685 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Florida median is $1,963.
How much do I need to make to live in Destin?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $107,400 a year, or $52 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Destin cheap or expensive?
Destin is rated Expensive: rent takes 33.6% of the typical household income of $95,998. It ranks 426th cheapest of 479 Florida cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Destin?
The median homeowner in Destin pays $3,083 a year in property taxes, about 0.63% of the median home value.
Is Destin more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Destin?
The median home value in Destin is $490,300, about 5.1 times the typical yearly household income.
14,077 people live in Destin. Numbers are typical (middle) values.