City Report · FL

Punta Gorda

Pop. 20,278·184th most expensive in Florida·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$2,015/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.7%
Month-over-Month
-6.4%
vs US Median
+$53
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Punta Gorda · $2,015
More expensive than 60% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,015/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$81,000/yr
Local median income
$85,779/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Punta Gorda's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,190
1 BR
$1,200
2 BR
$1,508
3 BR
$2,103
4 BR+
$2,323
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,508/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,015 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
$24,180/yr
At $2,015/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 1.7% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.7% YoY, -6.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Punta Gorda, FL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 41.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
20,278
Median income
$85,779
Median age
66.3
Renters
18.3%
Age distribution
13.5%
17.4%
53.6%
Under 188.2%
18–347.3%
35–5413.5%
55–6417.4%
65+53.6%
Gender
49.8%
50.2%
Male49.8%
Female50.2%
Race & ethnicity
88.7%
White88.7%
Black3.1%
Hispanic2.3%
Asian1.4%
Other4.4%
Education (25+)
20.8%
34.1%
41.7%
No HS diploma3.5%
HS diploma20.8%
Some college34.1%
Bachelor's+41.7%
Housing tenure
81.7%
18.3%
Owner81.7%
Renter18.3%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Punta Gorda, FL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,109 → $2,015
down 4.5%
Income
$68,923 → $85,779
up 24.5%
Population
19,230 → 20,278
up 5.4%
Renter share
18.8% → 18.3%
-0.5 pts
Bachelor's+
38.4% → 41.7%
+3.3 pts
Median age
65.2 → 66.3
+1.1 yrs

The median rent in Punta Gorda, FL stood at $2,109 in 2022 and currently runs about $2,015, reflecting a 4.5% decrease over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $68,923 in 2021 to $85,779 more recently. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 5.4% since 2021, moving from about 19,230 residents to roughly 20,278. College-educated residents now make up 41.7% of adults here, versus 38.4% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Punta Gorda, FL market of 2022.

Community

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View Punta Gorda rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Punta Gorda on your salary?

At $2,015/mo, how Punta Gorda rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Punta Gorda rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Punta Gorda

About renting in Punta Gorda, FL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Punta Gorda is $2,015/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,190/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,508/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,200/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,103/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($85,779/yr), Punta Gorda ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Punta Gorda an affordable city for renters?

Punta Gorda is considered affordable for renters. At $2,015/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($85,779/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Punta Gorda falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Punta Gorda?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $81,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,015/mo in Punta Gorda. The local median household income is $85,779/yr, meaning the typical Punta Gorda household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Punta Gorda?

Rent in Punta Gorda has increased 1.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Punta Gorda neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Punta Gorda are 33983 ($1,894/mo), 33950 ($1,957/mo), and 33955 ($2,042/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Punta Gorda is $2,015/mo.

How does Punta Gorda rent compare to other cities in Florida?

Punta Gorda is middle-of-the-pack for Florida for rent, ranking #184 out of 291 tracked cities at $2,015/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Punta Gorda?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Punta Gorda ($2,015/mo): North Fort Myers ($1,577/mo), Port Charlotte ($1,783/mo), Cape Coral ($1,929/mo).

What percentage of Punta Gorda residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 18.3% of Punta Gorda households are renters, while 81.7% are owner-occupied. Punta Gorda leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Punta Gorda rent compare to the national average?

Punta Gorda's median rent of $2,015/mo is $53 (3%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Florida, it ranks #184 out of 291 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,015/mo, rent takes ~28% of Punta Gorda's median household income ($85,779/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Punta Gorda 28%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Punta Gorda affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

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