Income needed to buy a home
Polk County, FL
$97,798
a year in household income to buy the typical Polk County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$295,824
Down payment (10%)$29,582
Loan$266,242
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,843/mo
Property tax (0.73% a year)$180/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$148/mo
Mortgage insurance$111/mo
Total monthly cost$2,282/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
Far off
The typical household here earns $65,978 a year, 67% of what it takes.
In Florida
Polk County ranks #29 of 67 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in Florida
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Calhoun County | $176,870 | $57,601 |
| Jackson County | $184,878 | $59,549 |
| Holmes County | $188,335 | $60,346 |
| Taylor County | $197,629 | $64,750 |
| Gadsden County | $201,459 | $65,206 |
Typical home value from the Zillow Home Value Index, August 2026. Rate is the Freddie Mac 30-year average for Oct 8, 2026. Property tax rate is total taxes paid divided by total home value in the county (U.S. Census, ACS 2020-2024). How it works.