What is the cost of living in Bartow, FL?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Bartow has an overall cost of living index of 97, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Florida, Bartow has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Florida's index of 104.
The standard of living in Bartow ranks as #62 most affordable out of the 462 places we measured in Florida. By definition, that implies Bartow ranks as the #400 most expensive place in the Sunshine State.
For more reading on life in Bartow, check out:
Bartow Cost Of Living Vs. Florida
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Bartow. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Bartow is 103.
The Groceries index in Bartow is 103.
The Health index in Bartow is 88.
The Housing index in Bartow is 104.
The Transportation index in Bartow is 108.
The Utilities index in Bartow is 102.
| Living Expense | Bartow | Florida | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 97 | 104 | 100 |
| Services | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 105 | 100 |
| Health | 88 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 104 | 104 | 100 |
| Transportation | 108 | 109 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 105 | 100 |
Bartow Cost Of Living Compared To Florida Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Florida, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Bartow Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Bartow, FL Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Florida, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Bartow is $277,441.
The Median Rent in Bartow is $1,142.
The Median Income in Bartow is $68,178.
The Home Value To Income in Bartow is 4.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Bartow is 0.2x.
Bartow, FL Costs By Category
Detailed Bartow Services costs vs. Florida
Detailed Bartow Groceries costs vs. Florida
Detailed Bartow Health costs vs. Florida
Detailed Bartow Transportation costs vs. Florida
Bartow SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Bartow
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Bartow. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Lakeland, FL has a cost of living index of 104, 1.1x Bartow.
Winter Haven, FL has a cost of living index of 99, 1.0x Bartow.
Auburndale, FL has a cost of living index of 103, 1.1x Bartow.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Bartow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland, FL | 119,961 | 104 | 1.1x |
| Winter Haven, FL | 55,200 | 99 | 1.0x |
| Auburndale, FL | 18,530 | 103 | 1.1x |
| Lake Wales, FL | 16,785 | 102 | 1.1x |
| Lakeland Highlands, FL | 12,102 | 122 | 1.3x |
| Medulla, FL | 10,985 | 108 | 1.1x |
| Highland, IL | 10,262 | 96 | 1.0x |
| Fuller Heights, FL | 10,083 | 108 | 1.1x |
| Fort Meade, FL | 5,225 | 90 | 0.9x |
