In Florida, the median household income is $74,568 and 68% of homes are owner-occupied (ACS 2020 to 2024). A safe personal loan starts with a license check, three written offers compared on total cost, and a payment that fits your own budget.
On this page
- Florida by the numbers
- What the numbers mean for Florida borrowers
- Largest places in Florida
- The next 20 places in Florida
- Counties with the most residents
- How Florida earns a living
- More context for Florida budgets
- Checking a lender in Florida
- Can Florida residents use the questionnaire?
- Local guides in Florida
- Frequently asked questions
Florida by the numbers
Here is Florida next to the U.S. on income, housing, work and commuting, with a rank among the 50 states plus DC for each line. Source: ACS five-year estimates for 2020 to 2024.
| Measure | Florida | Nation | Place among 51 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,568 | $80,734 | 34th |
| Rent, median gross (monthly) | $1,669 | $1,413 | 9th |
| Rent-burdened renters (30%+) | 60% | 51% | 1st |
| Home value, median | $359,000 | $332,700 | 20th |
| Homeownership rate | 68% | 65% | 23rd |
| Cost-burdened owners with a mortgage | 35% | 28% | 3rd |
| Home value to income ratio | 4.8x | 4.1x | 14th |
| Commutes of 45 minutes or longer | 18% | 17% | 9th |
| Working from home | 16% | 15% | 20th |
| Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree | 34% | 36% | 27th |
| Median age | 42.6 | 38.9 | 5th |
| Income inequality (Gini index) | 0.485 | 0.483 | 7th |
| Share of households under $35,000 | 22% | 21% | 17th |
| Share of households at $100,000+ | 37% | 41% | 32nd |
| People below the poverty line | 12.6% | 12.5% | 19th |
| Jobless rate, 5-year ACS | 4.8% | 5.2% | 29th |
What the numbers mean for Florida borrowers
Median gross rent in Florida is $1,669 a month, ranking 9th, and 60% of renters are cost-burdened by the Census definition, compared with 51% nationally. Renters have no home equity to fall back on, which makes comparing APR and total cost more important, not less.
In Florida, 16% of workers work from home and 18% spend 45 minutes or more getting to work, compared with 15% and 17% nationally. Vehicle costs are a fixed line for long-distance commuters, so keep a repair cushion before taking on a new payment.
Jobs and hardship: an average 4.8% unemployment rate in the 2020 to 2024 survey, and 12.6% of people below the federal poverty line. These are averages over five years, not this month's job market; a lender cares about your own work history.
Typical household income: $74,568 in Florida, against $80,734 nationwide (34th highest of 51). Use it as a yardstick: if your income sits well below the median, keep the loan smaller and the term shorter.
Largest places in Florida
Population, income and housing costs for the 12 largest places in Florida (ACS 2020 to 2024); linked names open a local guide.
| Place | County | Population | Median household income | Median gross rent | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | Duval County | 977,670 | $69,872 | $1,465 | $293,700 |
| Miami | Miami-Dade County | 459,745 | $62,462 | $1,758 | $518,100 |
| Tampa | Hillsborough County | 401,618 | $75,475 | $1,701 | $420,400 |
| Orlando | Orange County | 319,758 | $72,336 | $1,747 | $394,100 |
| St. Petersburg | Pinellas County | 262,732 | $75,192 | $1,663 | $371,100 |
| Port St. Lucie | St. Lucie County | 232,491 | $80,648 | $1,937 | $369,200 |
| Hialeah | Miami-Dade County | 226,165 | $55,594 | $1,689 | $392,000 |
| Cape Coral | Lee County | 215,536 | $78,104 | $1,858 | $373,500 |
| Tallahassee | Leon County | 201,875 | $57,409 | $1,293 | $294,400 |
| Fort Lauderdale | Broward County | 185,604 | $83,130 | $1,854 | $486,700 |
| Pembroke Pines | Broward County | 173,194 | $85,104 | $2,046 | $439,500 |
| Hollywood | Broward County | 155,082 | $67,203 | $1,653 | $410,600 |
Parkland ($198,669) and University ($37,207) mark the high and low ends of median household income among Florida places with at least 20,000 residents. 348 places top 10,000 people; 79 top 50,000. Median rent in that group ranges from $941 in Immokalee to $3,501 in Nocatee.
The next 20 places in Florida
20 more Florida places, largest first.
| City or town | Population | Median household income | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville | 145,702 | $46,195 | $1,296 |
| Miramar | 138,600 | $89,125 | $2,117 |
| Coral Springs | 136,103 | $93,602 | $2,084 |
| Lehigh Acres | 132,353 | $66,890 | $1,657 |
| Palm Bay | 130,132 | $72,614 | $1,601 |
| West Palm Beach | 122,290 | $73,446 | $1,772 |
| Spring Hill | 119,983 | $68,432 | $1,440 |
| Lakeland | 119,961 | $64,185 | $1,395 |
| Brandon | 119,767 | $79,685 | $1,784 |
| Clearwater | 117,247 | $66,381 | $1,658 |
| Pompano Beach | 114,147 | $67,195 | $1,724 |
| Riverview | 113,697 | $100,438 | $2,002 |
| Miami Gardens | 113,177 | $63,627 | $1,787 |
| Davie | 108,346 | $87,250 | $2,066 |
| Boca Raton | 100,234 | $106,273 | $2,508 |
| Palm Coast | 98,258 | $77,350 | $1,782 |
| Sunrise | 97,918 | $77,652 | $2,140 |
| Deltona | 97,334 | $76,924 | $1,711 |
| Plantation | 96,293 | $92,541 | $2,240 |
| Fort Myers | 95,051 | $63,732 | $1,580 |
Measured as a year of median rent against median household income, housing weighs most in Miami Gardens (34%) and least in Riverview (24%) among these 20 places.
Counties with the most residents
The largest 16 of Florida's 67 counties, by population.
| County | Residents | Median household income | Median rent | Typical home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County | 2,738,356 | $71,753 | $1,829 | $463,000 |
| Broward County | 1,977,129 | $77,633 | $1,907 | $414,600 |
| Palm Beach County | 1,533,806 | $83,581 | $1,916 | $447,300 |
| Hillsborough County | 1,522,748 | $79,540 | $1,667 | $371,500 |
| Orange County | 1,471,937 | $79,719 | $1,775 | $390,100 |
| Duval County | 1,023,153 | $71,277 | $1,475 | $303,500 |
| Pinellas County | 963,481 | $72,646 | $1,642 | $355,100 |
| Lee County | 817,666 | $76,107 | $1,712 | $362,200 |
| Polk County | 790,694 | $65,978 | $1,363 | $266,500 |
| Brevard County | 632,780 | $78,476 | $1,556 | $339,600 |
| Pasco County | 611,444 | $70,492 | $1,505 | $300,900 |
| Volusia County | 579,622 | $70,044 | $1,467 | $313,000 |
| Seminole County | 481,470 | $85,761 | $1,783 | $386,900 |
| Sarasota County | 459,547 | $83,416 | $1,818 | $411,800 |
| Manatee County | 429,792 | $78,457 | $1,671 | $391,400 |
| Osceola County | 427,415 | $72,637 | $1,746 | $353,300 |
St. Johns County posts the highest county median income in Florida at $109,839, while Glades County posts the lowest at $45,870. A statewide average hides that spread, which is why the same loan can be comfortable in one county and a stretch in the next.
How Florida earns a living
The jobs mix in Florida: the four largest industries by share of employed residents 16 and older.
| Industry | Share of Florida workers | National share | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education, health care and social assistance | 21% | 24% | -2.5 pts |
| Professional, scientific and administrative services | 14% | 13% | +1.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 12% | 11% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, entertainment, lodging and food service | 11% | 9% | +2.3 pts |
Arts, entertainment, lodging and food service is the sector with the biggest gap over the national mix, employing 11% of Florida workers (U.S.: 9%). Whatever the sector, bring proof of income that covers at least the last two months.
More context for Florida budgets
Roughly one in 3 Florida households earns six figures (37%), and 11% clear $200,000, while 22% live on less than $35,000. Because partners generally need $30,000 or more in yearly income, the questionnaire states that floor on the income step instead of surprising anyone at the end.
Florida is an owner-heavy state for homeownership: 68% of occupied homes are owned, against 65% nationally. The median value of $359,000 equals 4.8 years of median income. Among owners with a mortgage, 35% spend 30 percent or more of income on housing (U.S.: 28%). An unsecured loan keeps the house out of the deal, which is worth something even when a home-equity line is cheaper.
Education and age round out the picture: 34% of Florida adults have at least a bachelor's degree (U.S.: 36%), the median age is 42.6, and the Gini index is 0.485.
Checking a lender in Florida
Personal lenders that make loans to Florida residents generally need a state license or must lend through a bank. The state banking agency, listed by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, is the Florida Office of Financial Regulation.
- CFPB complaints reach the lender and are tracked by a federal regulator.
- NMLS Consumer Access shows many lenders' licenses state by state.
- An upfront fee to "secure" a loan is a warning sign the FTC describes here.
Can Florida residents use the questionnaire?
You can start it, and the location step is where you find out: if partners are not yet taking Florida requests, you will see a short email waitlist and nothing more is asked.
Local guides in Florida
Prefer the view from your own city? 47 Florida places have a full guide:
- Boca Raton
- Bradenton
- Cape Coral
- Clearwater
- Coral Springs
- Davie
- Daytona Beach
- DeLand
- Deerfield Beach
- Delray Beach
- Deltona
- Doral
- Fort Lauderdale
- Fort Myers
- Jacksonville
- Jupiter
- Kendall
- Kissimmee
- Lakeland
- Lakewood Ranch
- Largo
- Melbourne
- Miami
- Miami Beach
- Miramar
- North Port
- Orlando
- Ormond Beach
- Palm Bay
- Palm Beach Gardens
- Pembroke Pines
- Pinellas Park
- Plantation
- Pompano Beach
- Port St. Lucie
- Sanford
- Sarasota
- St. Cloud
- St. Petersburg
- Sunrise
- Tampa
- Titusville
- Venice
- Wellington
- West Palm Beach
- Weston
- Winter Haven
Frequently asked questions
Which agency licenses lenders in Florida?
In Florida, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation is the banking agency named by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. NMLS Consumer Access lists many lenders' licenses, and the CFPB accepts complaints from every state.
How much does a typical Florida household earn?
$74,568 a year in the 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, 34th among the 50 states and DC; the national median is $80,734.
What is the median rent in Florida?
$1,669 a month at the median, 9th of 51. 60% of Florida renters are cost-burdened, against 51% nationwide.
Do home values in Florida change how I should borrow?
The median home in Florida is valued at $359,000, about 4.8 times the median household income of $74,568. Where housing takes a big share of income, keep new payments modest and compare total cost rather than stretching the term.