salaryRent is higher than in 59% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $73,400 a year. That is $35 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 173 of 479 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Winter Haven?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Winter Haven
| Size | Winter Haven | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $923 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $992 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,270 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,680 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,705 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Winter Haven overall?
Everyday prices in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area are 3% below the U.S. average (index 97.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Winter Haven
Life in Winter Haven
What jobs pay in Winter Haven
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $142,380 | 15.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,720 | 17.5% |
| Lawyer | $122,870 | 17.9% |
| Software Developer | $122,200 | 18.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $121,540 | 18.1% |
| Operations Manager | $96,220 | 22.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,080 | 23.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $85,820 | 25.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $84,030 | 26.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $81,840 | 26.9% |
| Accountant | $76,820 | 28.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $76,630 | 28.7% |
| Police Officer | $66,700 | 33.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,940 | 36.7% |
| Truck Driver | $57,090 | 38.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $56,680 | 38.8% |
| Electrician | $54,920 | 40.1% |
| Plumber | $51,220 | 43.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $50,420 | 43.7% |
| Firefighter | $48,560 | 45.3% |
| Carpenter | $45,970 | 47.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,800 | 51.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $41,780 | 52.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,750 | 56.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,000 | 61.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,600 | 61.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,270 | 62.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,820 | 69.2% |
| Cashier | $29,900 | 73.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Winter Haven?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $37 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $269,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,980 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Winter Haven, FL?
Renting in Winter Haven costs a median of about $1,835 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Florida median is $1,963.
How much do I need to make to live in Winter Haven?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $73,400 a year, or $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Winter Haven cheap or expensive?
Winter Haven is rated Expensive: rent takes 34.2% of the typical household income of $64,330. It ranks 173rd cheapest of 479 Florida cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Winter Haven?
The median homeowner in Winter Haven pays $2,247 a year in property taxes, about 0.83% of the median home value.
Is Winter Haven 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 Winter Haven?
The median home value in Winter Haven is $269,800, about 4.2 times the typical yearly household income.
55,200 people live in Winter Haven. Numbers are typical (middle) values.