Cost of Living in Fort Myers, FL

Population 91,730 · 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

Most of Fort Myers's cost indicators track within a reasonable band of national figures, with median household incomes near $62,160 — a more representative starting point for relocation math than the headline-expensive or headline-cheap cities on either tail.

Geographically, Fort Myers sits roughly 10 miles east of Cape Coral. Housing prices track closely with Cape Coral's $339,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 115
Rent 110

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

About the Cost of Living in Fort Myers

The median home value in Fort Myers is $351,600 — 15% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,442/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $62,160/year is 17% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.2%, below the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 84.9°F and lows of 65.8°F. Overall, Fort Myers has a cost of living index of 113 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$351,600
15% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$312,185
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,442/mo
10% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,728/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3x
Favors renting
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 49.4%
Renter-occupied 50.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,442
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,056/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
27.1 min
0% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.5%
Carpooled
12.3%
Public transit
1.3%
Walked
1.5%
Bicycle
0.7%
Work from home
12.9%

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
$62,160
17% below avg
Per Capita Income
$40,081
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
13% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Labor Force Participation
55.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.3%
Graduate degree 12.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.3
Male median age 39.5
Female median age 41.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
84.9°F
Avg Low
65.8°F
Annual Precip
57.4"
50° 63° 75° 88° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 757881859091929290878177
Low °F 545760646974757574696257
Precip" 2.431.782.072.443.469.669.3810.439.003.081.781.90

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 35 — Good
94.5%
Good air days/yr
101
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
363
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

88%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
119
Public schools
95,613
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

What is average rent in Fort Myers, FL?

The median gross rent in Fort Myers is $1,442 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fort Myers?

The median home value in Fort Myers is $351,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Fort Myers?

The median household income in Fort Myers is $62,160 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fort Myers, FL?

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

Is Fort Myers, FL affordable?

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

What is the weather like in Fort Myers?

Fort Myers has average high temperatures of 84.9°F and average lows of 65.8°F. Annual precipitation is 57.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Fort Myers at a Glance

Population
91,730
Median Income
$62,160
Home Value
$351,600
Median Rent
$1,442/mo
Unemployment
4.2%
Avg High Temp
84.9°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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