How much does it cost to rent in Fort Walton Beach, FL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Fort Walton Beach, FL is $1,808. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Fort Walton Beach cheaper than other Florida cities?

Fort Walton Beach is among the more affordable cities in Florida, ranking #234 out of 288 cities at $1,808/mo.

When was Fort Walton Beach rent data last updated?

Fort Walton Beach rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · FL

Fort Walton Beach

Name: Average Rent Prices in Fort Walton Beach, FL
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 21,025·234th most expensive in Florida·Rental market data updated monthly for Fort Walton Beach, FL

Median rent (all units)

$1,808/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.2%

Month-over-Month

-3.3%

vs US Median

-$157

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Fort Walton Beach · $1,808

More affordable than 53% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

78/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 14% below what Fort Walton Beach's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,808/mo

Expected by trend

$2,103/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Fort Walton Beach's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,185

1 BR

$1,360

2 BR

$1,530

3 BR

$2,125

4 BR+

$2,570

Research median

$1,530/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$21,696/yr

At $1,808/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (up only 1.2% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.2% YoY, -3.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Fort Walton Beach, FL is majority owner-occupied, 29.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

21,025

Median income

$68,538

Median age

39.1

Renters

38.2%

Age distribution

22.1%

20.5%

25.3%

12.4%

19.7%

Under 1822.1%

18–3420.5%

35–5425.3%

55–6412.4%

65+19.7%

Gender

49.8%

50.2%

Male49.8%

Female50.2%

Race & ethnicity

66.2%

13%

White66.2%

Black11.9%

Hispanic13%

Asian4%

Other4.9%

Education (25+)

27.8%

34.4%

29.7%

No HS diploma8.1%

HS diploma27.8%

Some college34.4%

Bachelor's+29.7%

Housing tenure

61.8%

38.2%

Owner61.8%

Renter38.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Fort Walton Beach, FL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,433 → $1,808

up 26.2%

Income

$55,623 → $68,538

up 23.2%

Population

20,805 → 21,025

up 1.1%

Renter share

40.9% → 38.2%

-2.7 pts

Bachelor's+

27.6% → 29.7%

+2.1 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Fort Walton Beach, FL has shifted from $1,433 to $1,808, up 26.2% since 2021. Median household income climbed from $55,623 to $68,538 between 2021 and 2024, a 23.2% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Fort Walton Beach, FL adding about 220 residents over the five-year window, up 1.1% on net. The renter share has eased from 40.9% to 38.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 27.6% to 29.7% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Fort Walton Beach, FL reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Fort Walton Beach

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View Fort Walton Beach rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Fort Walton Beach on your salary?

At $1,808/mo, how Fort Walton Beach rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $87,866/yr · Rent = 24.7% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $62,384/yr · Rent = 34.8% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $71,861/yr · Rent = 30.2% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $128,442/yr · Rent = 16.9% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $164,117/yr · Rent = 13.2% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $58,413/yr · Rent = 37.1% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $52,740/yr · Rent = 41.1% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $65,007/yr · Rent = 33.4% income

stretched

By apartment size

Fort Walton Beach rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Fort Walton Beach. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fort Walton Beach

About renting in Fort Walton Beach, FL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Fort Walton Beach is $1,808/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,185/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,530/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,360/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,125/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($68,538/yr), Fort Walton Beach ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fort Walton Beach an affordable city for renters?

Fort Walton Beach is considered moderate for renters. At $1,808/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($68,538/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fort Walton Beach slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Fort Walton Beach?

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 $1,808/mo in Fort Walton Beach. The local median household income is $68,538/yr, meaning the typical Fort Walton Beach household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fort Walton Beach?

Rent in Fort Walton Beach has increased 1.2% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Fort Walton Beach neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Fort Walton Beach are 32547 ($1,788/mo), and 32548 ($1,892/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Fort Walton Beach is $1,808/mo.

How does Fort Walton Beach rent compare to other cities in Florida?

Fort Walton Beach is one of the more affordable cities in Florida for rent, ranking #234 out of 288 tracked cities at $1,808/mo.

What percentage of Fort Walton Beach residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38.2% of Fort Walton Beach households are renters, while 61.8% are owner-occupied. Fort Walton Beach leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Fort Walton Beach rent compare to the national average?

Fort Walton Beach's median rent of $1,808/mo is $157 (8%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Florida, it ranks #234 out of 288 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

32%

MODERATE

At $1,808/mo, rent takes ~32% of Fort Walton Beach's median household income ($68,538/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fort Walton Beach 32%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

Run the Fort Walton Beach affordability calculator →

Nearby cities