At $2,475/mo, rent takes about 54% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
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 $2,475 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 Sweetwater changed +2.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 270 Florida cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.8%.
Rent rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($54,967) is $1,374 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,156).
Opa-locka, 13 miles away, rents for 22% less ($1,931/mo), about $6,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Sweetwater. 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
Sweetwater, FL is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 21.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Sweetwater, FL has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $46,224 to $54,967 across the same window, up 18.9% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 19,426 to 20,085 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.4% change. About 57.9% of households rent today, against 61.2% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 19.4% to 21.4%.
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Can you afford rent in Sweetwater on your salary?
At $2,475/mo, how Sweetwater rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Sweetwater rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Sweetwater. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Sweetwater
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Sweetwater is $2,475/mo as of October 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $1,796/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,059/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,208/mo.
At 54% of local median household income ($54,967/yr), Sweetwater ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Sweetwater?
How does Sweetwater rent compare to other cities in Florida?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sweetwater?
At $2,475/mo, rent takes ~54% of Sweetwater's median household income ($54,967/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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