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City Report · FL

Bartow

Pop. 20,438·243rd most expensive in Florida·Rental market data updated monthly for Bartow, FL
Median rent (all units)
$1,790/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+4.5%
vs US Median
-$172
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bartow · $1,790
More affordable than 55% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
32% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,790/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$72,000/yr
Local median income
$68,178/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Bartow's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$910
1 BR
$920
2 BR
$1,130
3 BR
$1,520
4 BR+
$1,910
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,130/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,790 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$21,480/yr
At $1,790/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.1% YoY, +4.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Bartow, FL is majority owner-occupied, 22.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
20,438
Median income
$68,178
Median age
36.5
Renters
34.1%
Age distribution
20.2%
27.4%
23.8%
12.1%
16.5%
Under 1820.2%
18–3427.4%
35–5423.8%
55–6412.1%
65+16.5%
Gender
50.4%
49.6%
Male50.4%
Female49.6%
Race & ethnicity
57.1%
22.5%
15.9%
White57.1%
Black22.5%
Hispanic15.9%
Asian2.7%
Other1.9%
Education (25+)
35.7%
33.2%
22.8%
No HS diploma8.3%
HS diploma35.7%
Some college33.2%
Bachelor's+22.8%
Housing tenure
65.9%
34.1%
Owner65.9%
Renter34.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Bartow, FL has changed in 5 years

Income
$53,593 → $68,178
up 27.2%
Population
18,880 → 20,438
up 8.3%
Renter share
37.9% → 34.1%
-3.8 pts
Bachelor's+
22.6% → 22.8%
+0.2 pts

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.

Community

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View Bartow rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bartow on your salary?

At $1,790/mo, how Bartow rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bartow rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bartow. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bartow

About renting in Bartow, FL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Bartow is $1,790/mo as of August 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 32% of local median household income ($68,178/yr), Bartow ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bartow an affordable city for renters?

Bartow is considered moderate for renters. At $1,790/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($68,178/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bartow slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Bartow?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $72,000/year (~$35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,790/mo in Bartow. The local median household income is $68,178/yr, meaning the typical Bartow household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bartow?

Rent in Bartow has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.1% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Bartow rent compare to other cities in Florida?

Bartow is one of the more affordable cities in Florida for rent, ranking #243 out of 291 tracked cities at $1,790/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bartow?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bartow ($1,790/mo): Lakeland ($1,727/mo), Winter Haven ($1,728/mo), Mulberry ($1,741/mo).

What percentage of Bartow residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.1% of Bartow households are renters, while 65.9% are owner-occupied. Bartow leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bartow rent compare to the national average?

Bartow's median rent of $1,790/mo is $172 (9%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Florida, it ranks #243 out of 291 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,790/mo, rent takes ~32% of Bartow's median household income ($68,178/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bartow 32%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bartow, FL

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