Cost of Living in Balm, FL

Population 5,362 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

113
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Balm sits on the smaller end of the Florida city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.4% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Balm sits roughly 5 miles south of Riverview. Median home values run roughly 8% lower than Riverview's $341,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 102
Rent 128

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Balm

The median home value in Balm is $312,600 — 2% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,679/month, 28% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $104,347/year is 40% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.4%, above the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Balm has a cost of living index of 113 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$312,600
2% above avg
Median Rent
$1,679/mo
28% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,085
1 BR
$1,181
2 BR
$1,427
3 BR
$1,797
4 BR
$2,099
Owner-occupied 86.5%
Renter-occupied 13.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,679
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,293/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
42.9 min
59% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.6%
Carpooled
14.7%
Work from home
11.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 1.1%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$104,347
40% above avg
Per Capita Income
$41,257
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
53% above avg
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Labor Force Participation
81.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.6%
Graduate degree 5.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.5
Male median age 33.2
Female median age 33.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
42.7%
Good air days/yr
114
Max AQI recorded
261
PM2.5 days
102
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Balm, FL?

Balm has a cost index of 113 (100 = national average). It is 13% above the national average.

What is average rent in Balm, FL?

The median gross rent in Balm is $1,679 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Balm?

The median home value in Balm is $312,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Balm?

The median household income in Balm is $104,347 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Balm, FL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Balm is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.

Is Balm, FL affordable?

Balm is above average in cost of living, with an index of 113 — about 13% higher than the national average.

Balm at a Glance

Population
5,362
Median Income
$104,347
Home Value
$312,600
Median Rent
$1,679/mo
Unemployment
7.4%
Sales Tax
7.0%
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🗺️ County data for Florida

Explore county-level cost of living data

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