What it's like to live in Auburndale
Auburndale is a small city in Florida with rent below the national average, home prices that remain within reach, crime rates well below the national average, and air quality that stays clean most of the year. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Auburndale deals with commute times longer than most cities, college degree attainment below the national average, larger class sizes than the national average, and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Affordable home prices
- Low crime rates
- Clean air
- Fast-growing population
The not so good
- Above-average commute times
- Low college degree attainment
- High student-teacher ratio
- High rent burden for renters
- Hot summers
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
How Auburndale compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Auburndale
Based on Auburndale's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,416
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $48,320 a year
- 52% of Auburndale renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$59,240
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $29,620
- Homes cost 3.8× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 15% below US
$1,208/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,208 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $296,200. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $296,200 · 52% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
4.8% county unemployment
Unemployment in Polk County is 4.8%, somewhat above the national average of 4.3%. Lining up work before the move is the safer route. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Polk County (county-wide)
Safety▼ 56% below US
145 violent crimes per 100k
Pretty safe, all things considered. Violent crime sits below the national average, nothing alarming, just ordinary city-life awareness.
Property crime 1641/100k · Auburndale Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▲ 28% above US
33 min average commute
Traffic is a real factor here. The 33.3 minute average means plenty of commuters are pushing 45 to 60 minutes on a bad day. Proximity to work matters more here than it might elsewhere. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 14% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 93°F, and winters are mild, with lows rarely dropping below 54°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▼ 45% below US
20% bachelor's degree or higher
This is a working-class city, and college degree rates reflect that. Trades, manufacturing, and service industries tend to dominate the local economy, which is a strength for some fields and a real constraint for others.
Schools
4 public schools inside the boundary
There are 4 public schools inside the boundary and 1 private school. The student-to-teacher ratio is 21:1, above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is De Soto National Memorial (65 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Auburndale's strongest points are rent below the national average and home prices that remain within reach; the main tradeoffs are commute times longer than most cities and college degree attainment below the national average. A year of median rent ($1,208/mo) equals 19% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget and anyone prioritizing low crime. It may be a harder fit for people who dread long commutes.
Other places near Auburndale
All Florida guides →Moving to Winter Haven →
8 mi away · pop. 55,200
Rent $1,246/mo · Income $59,648
Compare with Auburndale →Moving to Cypress Gardens →
9 mi away · pop. 10,077
Rent $1,369/mo · Income $75,483
Compare with Auburndale →Moving to Lakeland →
10 mi away · pop. 119,961
Rent $1,395/mo · Income $64,185
Compare with Auburndale →Moving to Highland City →
11 mi away · pop. 13,276
Rent $1,993/mo · Income $90,947
Compare with Auburndale →Not sure Auburndale is the one?
Put it side by side with another city.