Cost of Living in Westwood Lakes, FL

Population 10,768 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

160
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Westwood Lakes is a smaller Florida community of around 11000 residents, where median household incomes of $87,341 and housing costs ($465,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. 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.

Westwood Lakes sits roughly 11 miles west of Miami — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Miami's $475,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 152
Rent 171

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

About the Cost of Living in Westwood Lakes

The median home value in Westwood Lakes is $465,000 — 52% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,243/month, 71% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $87,341/year is 17% 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, Westwood Lakes has a cost of living index of 160 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 60% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$465,000
52% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$645,955
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,243/mo
71% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3x
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 82.0%
Renter-occupied 18.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,243
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,857/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
35.1 min
30% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.3%
Carpooled
7.9%
Public transit
1.4%
Walked
0.2%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
7.5%

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
$87,341
17% above avg
Per Capita Income
$34,233
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
55% above avg
Poverty Rate
8.0%
Labor Force Participation
58.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.3%
Graduate degree 7.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 48.4
Male median age 44.8
Female median age 51.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
56.7%
Good air days/yr
170
Max AQI recorded
272
PM2.5 days
76
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Westwood Lakes, FL?

Westwood Lakes has a cost index of 160 (100 = national average). It is 60% above the national average.

What is average rent in Westwood Lakes, FL?

The median gross rent in Westwood Lakes is $2,243 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Westwood Lakes?

The median home value in Westwood Lakes is $465,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Westwood Lakes?

The median household income in Westwood Lakes is $87,341 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Westwood Lakes, FL?

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

Is Westwood Lakes, FL affordable?

Westwood Lakes is above average in cost of living, with an index of 160 — about 60% higher than the national average.

Westwood Lakes at a Glance

Population
10,768
Median Income
$87,341
Home Value
$465,000
Median Rent
$2,243/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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