salaryRent is lower than in 54% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.4 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $62,560 a year. That is $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Florida cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Florida. It is number 113 of 479 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Fort Walton Beach?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Fort Walton Beach
| Size | Fort Walton Beach | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $975 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,095 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,464 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,668 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,999 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Fort Walton Beach 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 Fort Walton Beach
Life in Fort Walton Beach
What jobs pay in Fort Walton Beach
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,070 | 13.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $130,730 | 14.4% |
| Software Developer | $130,640 | 14.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,680 | 15.1% |
| Lawyer | $106,880 | 17.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,820 | 18.4% |
| Operations Manager | $100,070 | 18.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $98,410 | 19.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $88,030 | 21.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,260 | 23.1% |
| Accountant | $79,510 | 23.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $62,180 | 30.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,330 | 31.1% |
| Police Officer | $59,130 | 31.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,060 | 31.8% |
| Electrician | $57,200 | 32.8% |
| Firefighter | $56,620 | 33.1% |
| Plumber | $52,020 | 36.1% |
| Carpenter | $48,940 | 38.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $48,810 | 38.5% |
| Truck Driver | $47,940 | 39.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,580 | 47.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,240 | 47.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,880 | 49.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,370 | 50.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,970 | 50.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,600 | 51.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,920 | 55.3% |
| Cashier | $31,000 | 60.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fort Walton Beach?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $669 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $321,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $32,180 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fort Walton Beach, FL?
Renting in Fort Walton Beach costs a median of about $1,564 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Florida median is $1,963.
How much do I need to make to live in Fort Walton Beach?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $62,560 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Fort Walton Beach cheap or expensive?
Fort Walton Beach is rated OK: rent takes 25.4% of the typical household income of $73,918. It ranks 113th cheapest of 479 Florida cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Fort Walton Beach?
The median homeowner in Fort Walton Beach pays $1,806 a year in property taxes, about 0.56% of the median home value.
Is Fort Walton Beach 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 Fort Walton Beach?
The median home value in Fort Walton Beach is $321,800, about 4.4 times the typical yearly household income.
21,025 people live in Fort Walton Beach. Numbers are typical (middle) values.