How much does it cost to rent in Mary Esther, FL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Mary Esther, FL is $1,980. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Mary Esther cheaper than other Florida cities?

Mary Esther is among the more affordable cities in Florida, ranking #193 out of 288 cities at $1,980/mo.

When was Mary Esther rent data last updated?

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

Is Mary Esther a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Mary Esther is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (down 4.8% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · FL

Mary Esther

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

Pop. 4,061·193rd most expensive in Florida·Rental market data updated monthly for Mary Esther, FL

Median rent (all units)

$1,980/mo

Year-over-Year

-4.8%

Month-over-Month

-0.6%

vs US Median

+$15

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Mary Esther · $1,980

More expensive than 58% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

62/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% below what Mary Esther's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,980/mo

Expected by trend

$2,105/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,140

1 BR

$1,310

2 BR

$1,470

3 BR

$2,040

4 BR+

$2,470

Research median

$1,470/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$23,760/yr

At $1,980/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 4.8% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-4.8% YoY, -0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Mary Esther, FL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 30.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

4,061

Median income

$76,890

Median age

39.8

Renters

30.2%

Age distribution

17.2%

24%

22.1%

15.1%

21.5%

Under 1817.2%

18–3424%

35–5422.1%

55–6415.1%

65+21.5%

Gender

48.6%

51.4%

Male48.6%

Female51.4%

Race & ethnicity

76.8%

White76.8%

Black5.7%

Hispanic7.4%

Asian4%

Other6.1%

Education (25+)

37.2%

28.8%

30.5%

No HS diploma3.5%

HS diploma37.2%

Some college28.8%

Bachelor's+30.5%

Housing tenure

69.8%

30.2%

Owner69.8%

Renter30.2%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Mary Esther, FL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,860 → $1,980

up 6.5%

Income

$73,281 → $76,890

up 4.9%

Population

3,979 → 4,061

up 2.1%

Renter share

25.4% → 30.2%

+4.8 pts

Bachelor's+

31.4% → 30.5%

-0.9 pts

Median age

39.2 → 39.8

+0.6 yrs

Compared with 2022, rent in Mary Esther, FL has climbed by $120 per month, settling near $1,980 after starting the period at $1,860. Household income in the area moved from $73,281 to $76,890 across the same window, up 4.9% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 3,979 to 4,061 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.1% change. About 30.2% of households rent today, against 25.4% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Mary Esther, FL look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Mary Esther

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View Mary Esther rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Mary Esther on your salary?

At $1,980/mo, how Mary Esther rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $87,866/yr · Rent = 27% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $62,384/yr · Rent = 38.1% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $71,861/yr · Rent = 33.1% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $128,442/yr · Rent = 18.5% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $164,117/yr · Rent = 14.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $58,413/yr · Rent = 40.7% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $52,740/yr · Rent = 45.1% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $65,007/yr · Rent = 36.5% income

stretched

By apartment size

Mary Esther rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Mary Esther

About renting in Mary Esther, FL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Mary Esther is $1,980/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,140/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,470/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,310/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,040/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($76,890/yr), Mary Esther ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 4.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Mary Esther an affordable city for renters?

Mary Esther is considered moderate for renters. At $1,980/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($76,890/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Mary Esther slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Mary Esther?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $79,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,980/mo in Mary Esther. The local median household income is $76,890/yr, meaning the typical Mary Esther household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Mary Esther?

Rent in Mary Esther has decreased 4.8% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Mary Esther rent compare to other cities in Florida?

Mary Esther is one of the more affordable cities in Florida for rent, ranking #193 out of 288 tracked cities at $1,980/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Mary Esther?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Mary Esther ($1,980/mo): Fort Walton Beach ($1,808/mo), Shalimar ($1,933/mo).

What percentage of Mary Esther residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.2% of Mary Esther households are renters, while 69.8% are owner-occupied. Mary Esther leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Mary Esther rent compare to the national average?

Mary Esther's median rent of $1,980/mo is $15 (1%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Florida, it ranks #193 out of 288 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

31%

MODERATE

At $1,980/mo, rent takes ~31% of Mary Esther's median household income ($76,890/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Mary Esther 31%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

Run the Mary Esther affordability calculator →

Nearby cities