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Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

Cost of living in Polk County, FL

Part of the Lakeland Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,938/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 760,961 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,092 37%
Healthcare $480 16%
Federal tax $442 15%
Groceries $352 12%
Transport $320 11%
Energy $197 7%
Water $55 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Polk County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,085
per month
1 bedroom
$1,092
per month
2 bedroom
$1,337
per month
3 bedroom
$1,797
per month
4 bedroom
$2,245
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Polk County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$63,644
per year
Individual earnings
$37,093
per year
Per capita
$31,927
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Polk County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$240,000
Annual property tax
$1,769

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Polk County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$176
per month · 16¢/kWh
Natural gas
$21
per month
Annual total
$2,364
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Polk County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
13.0%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Polk County

State and local tax rates for Florida.

No state income tax
Florida does not levy a personal income tax.
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
7.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Polk County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
30.2 min
Drive alone
77.4%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
10.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Polk County

What it costs to live in Polk County each month.

Single person
$2,938
per month
  • Rent $1,092
  • Energy $197
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $352
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $442
  • State tax $0
Couple
$4,217
per month
  • Rent $1,337
  • Energy $236
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $583
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $712
  • State tax $0
Family
$6,835
per month
  • Rent $1,797
  • Energy $296
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $885
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $712
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Polk County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Polk County?

In Polk County, FL, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,092 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,337 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,797 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Polk County?

In Polk County, FL, the average household income is $63,644 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $37,093 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Polk County?

The estimated cost of living in Polk County, FL is approximately $2,938 per month for a single person, $4,217 for a couple, $6,835 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Polk County?

The combined sales tax rate in Polk County, FL is 7.01%, which includes the Florida state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 1.01%.

Is Polk County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Polk County, FL would need approximately $2,938 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $63,644 per year ($5,304 per month). Polk County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Polk County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Polk County, FL is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 13.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Polk County?

The average home value in Polk County, FL is $240,000, with average annual property taxes of $1,769, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Polk County compare to other areas?

You can compare Polk County, FL with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Polk County is in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area.

Other counties in Florida

Browse the full list of counties in Florida, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Florida

Compare Polk County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources