Cost of Living in Wauchula, FL

Population 4,910 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

56
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $36,324, median household incomes in Wauchula land roughly 51% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. A poverty rate near 41% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Geographically, Wauchula is about 35 miles southeast of Riverview, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 61% lower than Riverview's $341,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 43
Rent 75

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

About the Cost of Living in Wauchula

The median home value in Wauchula is $131,500 — 57% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $981/month, 25% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $36,324/year is 51% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.2%, below the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Wauchula has a cost of living index of 56 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 44% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$131,500
57% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$225,962
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$981/mo
25% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.2x
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 46.5%
Renter-occupied 53.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$981
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,595/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
30.8 min
14% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
0.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.2%
Carpooled
29.5%
Public transit
0.6%
Work from home
0.4%

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
$36,324
51% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,607
Unemployment Rate
0.2%
96% below avg
Poverty Rate
40.7%
Labor Force Participation
45.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 9.1%
Graduate degree 1.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.1
Male median age 35.2
Female median age 34.9

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
12
Public schools
5,068
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wauchula, FL?

Wauchula has a cost index of 56 (100 = national average). It is 44% below the national average.

What is average rent in Wauchula, FL?

The median gross rent in Wauchula is $981 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Wauchula?

The median home value in Wauchula is $131,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Wauchula?

The median household income in Wauchula is $36,324 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wauchula, FL?

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

Is Wauchula, FL affordable?

Yes, Wauchula is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 56 — about 44% below the US national average of 100.

Wauchula at a Glance

Population
4,910
Median Income
$36,324
Home Value
$131,500
Median Rent
$981/mo
Unemployment
0.2%
Sales Tax
7.0%
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