Cost of Living in Willow Oak, FL

Population 7,299 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

78
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Willow Oak 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. Around 27% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located 10 miles southwest of Lakeland, Willow Oak falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Lakeland's $229,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 79
Rent 75

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

About the Cost of Living in Willow Oak

The median home value in Willow Oak is $241,600 — 21% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $986/month, 25% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $59,346/year is 20% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.6%, below the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Willow Oak has a cost of living index of 78 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 22% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$241,600
21% below avg
Median Rent
$986/mo
25% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.4x
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 46.6%
Renter-occupied 53.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$986
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,600/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
32.1 min
19% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
83.6%
Carpooled
6.2%
Walked
0.5%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
8.6%

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
$59,346
20% below avg
Per Capita Income
$22,398
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
25% below avg
Poverty Rate
27.4%
Labor Force Participation
68.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.1%
Graduate degree 1.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 27.6
Male median age 28.6
Female median age 27.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
75.3%
Good air days/yr
101
Max AQI recorded
145
PM2.5 days
220
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Willow Oak, FL?

Willow Oak has a cost index of 78 (100 = national average). It is 22% below the national average.

What is average rent in Willow Oak, FL?

The median gross rent in Willow Oak is $986 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Willow Oak?

The median home value in Willow Oak is $241,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Willow Oak?

The median household income in Willow Oak is $59,346 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Willow Oak, FL?

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

Is Willow Oak, FL affordable?

Yes, Willow Oak is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 78 — about 22% below the US national average of 100.

Willow Oak at a Glance

Population
7,299
Median Income
$59,346
Home Value
$241,600
Median Rent
$986/mo
Unemployment
3.6%
Sales Tax
7.0%
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🗺️ County data for Florida

Explore county-level cost of living data

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