At $1,785/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,785 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Bartow changed +5.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 270 Florida cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.8%.
Rent has risen 7 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($68,178) is $1,704 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,520); a 4-bedroom is $1,910.
Lake Wales, 20 miles away, rents for 15% less ($1,512/mo), about $3,300 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Bartow. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Bartow, FL is majority owner-occupied, 22.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Bartow, FL has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $68,178 today, compared with $53,593 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 18,880 to 20,438 between 2021 and 2024, a 8.3% change. About 34.1% of households rent today, against 37.9% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Bartow on your salary?
At $1,785/mo, how Bartow rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Bartow rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Bartow. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Bartow
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Bartow is $1,785/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $910/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,130/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $920/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,520/mo.
At 31% of local median household income ($68,178/yr), Bartow ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Bartow?
Is rent going up or down in Bartow?
How does Bartow rent compare to other cities in Florida?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bartow?
At $1,785/mo, rent takes ~31% of Bartow's median household income ($68,178/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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