What it's like to live in Lake Wales
Lake Wales is a small city in Florida with rent below the national average, home prices that remain within reach, air quality that stays clean most of the year, and a population that has grown fast since 2020. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Lake Wales deals with household incomes below the national average, college degree attainment below the national average, a poverty rate above the national average, and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Affordable home prices
- Clean air
- Fast-growing population
- Average class sizes
The not so good
- Below-average household incomes
- Low college degree attainment
- High poverty rate
- High rent burden for renters
- Hot summers
- Above-average rainfall
How Lake Wales compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Lake Wales
Based on Lake Wales's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,220
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $44,400 a year
- 60% of Lake Wales renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$47,860
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $23,930
- Homes cost 4.2× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 21% below US
$1,110/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,110 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $239,300. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $239,300 · 60% 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)
SafetyNear US average
319 violent crimes per 100k
Crime runs about typical for a city this size. Some neighborhoods are safer than others, and one overall rate doesn't tell the whole story, so a neighborhood-level look matters more than the headline stat.
Property crime 1187/100k · Lake Wales Police Department · 2025 data
Getting aroundNear US average
24 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 23.9 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 9 in 10 workers drive to work; 9% 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 52°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 2.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▼ 42% below US
21% bachelor's degree or higher
College degree attainment runs below average at 21%. That tends to reflect a more trade and working-class economy, which can be great or limiting depending on the industry.
Schools
9 public schools inside the boundary
There are 9 public schools inside the boundary and 4 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18:1, slightly above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is De Soto National Memorial (70 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Lake Wales's strongest points are rent below the national average and home prices that remain within reach; the main tradeoffs are household incomes below the national average and college degree attainment below the national average. A year of median rent ($1,110/mo) equals 24% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Lake Wales
All Florida guides →Moving to Cypress Gardens →
9 mi away · pop. 10,077
Rent $1,369/mo · Income $75,483
Compare with Lake Wales →Moving to Winter Haven →
9 mi away · pop. 55,200
Rent $1,246/mo · Income $59,648
Compare with Lake Wales →Not sure Lake Wales is the one?
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