Rents are right about where Lake City's 10-year trend predicts.
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 $1,506 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 Lake City is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in May 2023.
Rent in Lake City changed +5.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 270 Florida cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.8%.
Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($56,472) is $1,412 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,350); a 4-bedroom is $1,470.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Lake City. 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
Lake City, FL is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Lake City, FL has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $43,396 to $56,472 across the same window, up 30.1% versus 2021. The population has grown by 1.5% since 2021, moving from about 12,325 residents to roughly 12,515. Renters now make up 60.1% of households, compared with 58.1% five years ago.
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Can you afford rent in Lake City on your salary?
At $1,506/mo, how Lake City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Lake City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Lake City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Lake City
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Lake City is $1,506/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $840/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,110/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $850/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,350/mo.
At 32% of local median household income ($56,472/yr), Lake City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Lake City?
Is rent going up or down in Lake City?
How does Lake City rent compare to other cities in Florida?
At $1,506/mo, rent takes ~32% of Lake City's median household income ($56,472/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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