Gulf County, Florida Housing Market
In Gulf County, Florida, the median home value is $250,000, with a median monthly rent of $1,187. This places Gulf County at #890 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #40 within Florida.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $1,086
- Establishments: 508
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 302
- Multi-family: 0
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 5,716 (avg $90,619)
- Outflow: 4,839 (avg $77,323)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📝 Local Market Notes
Gulf County, Florida, presents a mixed market profile that leans slightly toward renters despite a high owner-occupancy rate of 80.8%. The price-to-rent ratio of 17.6 sits below the national average of 18.7, suggesting that purchasing is relatively more expensive compared to renting on a cost basis. However, the median home value of $250,000 is only 9.8% above the national average, while the median household income of $61,179 is 10.0% below the national norm. This disparity drives a price-to-income ratio of 4.09, significantly higher than the national benchmark of 3.20, indicating that local buyers face greater financial strain relative to their earnings than the average American household. The market has experienced a pronounced acceleration in home values, with year-over-year growth spiking to 19.2% in 2023 before moderating to 6.1% in 2024. Recent FHFA data confirms this momentum, showing a 3.46% year-over-year increase in 2025, which outpaces the Florida state average of 0.91% by 2.55 percentage points. This divergence highlights a notable pattern where home prices are rising faster than rents, as evidenced by the trend signal. While the 2023 surge may reflect post-pandemic migration effects, the continued outperformance of the state average suggests persistent local demand. The influx of 877 net new tax filers between 2021 and 2022, with incoming residents averaging $90,619 in income, further supports the thesis of wealthier migrants driving up property values. Affordability remains a critical constraint for local residents, with a rent burden of 23.3% of income compared to the national average of 17.2%. The local economy, supported by 3,569 jobs and an average weekly wage of $1,086, provides a stable but modest income base that may not fully support the rising price floor. Housing supply is currently skewed entirely toward single-family units, with 302 permits authorized in 2025 and zero multi-family construction, which limits rental inventory growth. With the 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 7.40%, the high price-to-income ratio exacerbates the barrier to entry for first-time buyers. Consequently, while the market is outperforming state trends, the combination of high debt service costs and limited rental supply creates a challenging environment for both prospective buyers and tenants seeking affordable housing options.
🔗 Explore Gulf County on Our Sister Sites
Get the complete picture for Gulf County — financing options and ongoing ownership costs.
💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Gulf County Compares
| Metric | Gulf County | Florida Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $250,000 | $284,325 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $1,187 | $1,303 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 80.8% | 74.6% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 17.6 | 17.6 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Gulf County is 12.1% below the Florida state average and 9.8% above the U.S. national average. The median rent of $1,187/month is 8.9% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 17.6, the buy-vs-rent decision in Gulf County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
Gulf County has an owner-occupancy rate of 80.8%, compared to 74.6% in Florida and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more homeowner-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux County | Iowa | $250,100 | $908 |
| Madison County | Ohio | $250,100 | $943 |
| Franklin County | Pennsylvania | $249,800 | $1,093 |
| Green County | Wisconsin | $250,200 | $867 |
| Forsyth County | North Carolina | $250,400 | $1,098 |
Other Counties in Florida
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citrus County | $245,500 | $1,107 | 85.2% |
| Baker County | $256,700 | $1,302 | 85.1% |
| Marion County | $243,100 | $1,277 | 77.5% |
| Escambia County | $257,200 | $1,321 | 64.8% |
| Wakulla County | $258,300 | $1,108 | 81.9% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).