salaryRent is higher than in 68% of U.S. cities. Incomes are on the low side for rents this high, so budgets feel tight. A typical house costs about 5.6 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $79,360 a year. That is $38 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 246 of 479 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Fort Myers?
Share of households by yearly income. 22.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Fort Myers
| Size | Fort Myers | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,650 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,470 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,702 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,914 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,627 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Fort Myers overall?
Everyday prices in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metro area are 2% above the U.S. average (index 102.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Fort Myers
Life in Fort Myers
What jobs pay in Fort Myers
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $134,880 | 17.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $131,700 | 18.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,670 | 18.4% |
| Lawyer | $129,450 | 18.4% |
| Software Developer | $126,940 | 18.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $97,310 | 24.5% |
| Operations Manager | $94,730 | 25.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $91,120 | 26.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $84,990 | 28.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,860 | 28.7% |
| Accountant | $79,420 | 30.0% |
| Police Officer | $76,710 | 31.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,180 | 36.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,530 | 38.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,470 | 39.4% |
| Firefighter | $60,000 | 39.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,170 | 40.9% |
| Electrician | $57,930 | 41.1% |
| Plumber | $51,690 | 46.1% |
| Carpenter | $49,210 | 48.4% |
| Truck Driver | $48,950 | 48.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $42,860 | 55.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,490 | 61.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,180 | 62.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,510 | 63.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,240 | 63.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,660 | 64.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,650 | 68.7% |
| Cashier | $30,530 | 78.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fort Myers?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $684 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $384,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $38,450 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fort Myers, FL?
Renting in Fort Myers costs a median of about $1,984 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Florida median is $1,963.
How much do I need to make to live in Fort Myers?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $79,360 a year, or $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Fort Myers cheap or expensive?
Fort Myers is rated Expensive: rent takes 34.6% of the typical household income of $68,735. It ranks 246th cheapest of 479 Florida cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Fort Myers?
The median homeowner in Fort Myers pays $3,819 a year in property taxes, about 0.99% of the median home value.
Is Fort Myers more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Fort Myers?
The median home value in Fort Myers is $384,500, about 5.6 times the typical yearly household income.
95,051 people live in Fort Myers. Numbers are typical (middle) values.