Cost of Living in Fort Myers Shores, FL

Population 5,966 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Fort Myers Shores a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $257,000.

Fort Myers Shores sits roughly 10 miles northwest of Lehigh Acres — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Lehigh Acres' $263,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 84

Rent 109

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

About the Cost of Living in Fort Myers Shores

The median home value in Fort Myers Shores is $256,600 — 16% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,435/month, 9% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $66,150/year is 11% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.4%, above the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Fort Myers Shores has a cost of living index of 94 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% less expensive.

🪖

Fort Myers Shores is a military installation

This location is a military installation. Civilian housing is primarily found in surrounding communities — here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:

North Fort Myers, FL

Median home: $137,700

Rent: $1,155/mo

Income: $55,696

Fort Myers, FL

Median home: $351,600

Rent: $1,442/mo

Income: $62,160

Lehigh Acres, FL

Median home: $263,200

Rent: $1,496/mo

Income: $62,330

Villas, FL

Median home: $232,800

Rent: $1,577/mo

Income: $55,641

Cypress Lake, FL

Median home: $237,700

Rent: $1,699/mo

Income: $62,767

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$256,600

16% below avg

Median Rent

$1,435/mo

9% above avg

Price-to-Rent Ratio

14.9x

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 58.5%

Renter-occupied 41.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,435

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,049/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

32.6 min

21% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

11.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

79.3%

Carpooled

7.0%

Work from home

11.7%

⚡ 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

$66,150

11% below avg

Per Capita Income

$32,850

Unemployment Rate

5.4%

13% above avg

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Labor Force Participation

59.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.4%

Graduate degree 3.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.5

Male median age 42.1

Female median age 37.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 35 — Good

94.5%

Good air days/yr

101

Max AQI recorded

PM2.5 days

363

Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fort Myers Shores, FL?

Fort Myers Shores has a cost index of 94 (100 = national average). It is 6% below the national average.

What is average rent in Fort Myers Shores, FL?

The median gross rent in Fort Myers Shores is $1,435 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fort Myers Shores?

The median home value in Fort Myers Shores is $256,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Fort Myers Shores?

The median household income in Fort Myers Shores is $66,150 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fort Myers Shores, FL?

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

Is Fort Myers Shores, FL affordable?

Fort Myers Shores is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 94 (100 = US average).

Fort Myers Shores at a Glance

Population: 5,966
Median Income: $66,150
Home Value: $256,600
Median Rent: $1,435/mo
Unemployment: 5.4%
Sales Tax: 7.0%

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