Cost of Living in Fort Walton Beach, FL

With a cost of living index of 97, Fort Walton Beach, FL is slightly more affordable than average. Living here is 3% cheaper than the national average and 13% below the Florida state average of 110. Fort Walton Beach is a smaller community of 20,956 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Fort Walton Beach's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,268 (4% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $296,000 (3% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 4.4x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in Fort Walton Beach is $66,556, which is 11% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 23% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.

Everyday prices in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area are generally below the national average. Out of 6 common items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced lower than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.