Lafayette County, Florida Housing Market
In Lafayette County, Florida, the median home value is $157,200, with a median monthly rent of $896. This places Lafayette County at #2083 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #57 within Florida.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
ℹ️ FHFA HPI data is not available for this county due to limited mortgage transaction volume.
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $830
- Establishments: 129
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 41
- Multi-family: 0
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 2,324 (avg $53,903)
- Outflow: 2,136 (avg $54,236)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📝 Local Market Notes
Lafayette County presents a buyer-favorable market characterized by significant undervaluation relative to national and state benchmarks. The price-to-income ratio of 2.50 sits well below the 3.20 national average, while the price-to-rent ratio of 14.6 remains substantially under the 18.7 national figure, indicating ownership economics favor buying over renting. Rent burden at 17.1% of median income aligns with the 17.2% national average, suggesting rental affordability is neutral. The 77.2% owner-occupancy rate reflects a stable, owner-dominated community with limited investor competition. Price appreciation has accelerated dramatically since 2020, rising from $100,600 to $157,200—a 56.3% increase over four years—with the last three years showing compounding momentum at 15.8%, 11.0%, and 19.5% annually. This trajectory diverges sharply from rent growth, as evidenced by the declining price-to-rent ratio, signaling that home values are decoupling from fundamental cash-flow metrics. The county's median home value sits 31.0% below the national average and 44.7% below the Florida state average, while median income trails the nation by only 7.7%, creating a pronounced value gap. Net in-migration of 188 tax filers (2021-2022
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💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Lafayette County Compares
| Metric | Lafayette County | Florida Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $157,200 | $284,325 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $896 | $1,303 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 77.2% | 74.6% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 14.6 | 17.6 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Lafayette County is 44.7% below the Florida state average and 31.0% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $896/month is 31.2% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 14.6, buying a home in Lafayette County is generally more favorable than renting for those planning to stay long-term. A ratio below 15 typically signals that purchasing is financially advantageous over a multi-year horizon.
Lafayette County has an owner-occupancy rate of 77.2%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wabash County | Indiana | $157,200 | $762 |
| Perkins County | Nebraska | $157,200 | $922 |
| Jackson County | West Virginia | $157,200 | $716 |
| Delta County | Michigan | $157,100 | $692 |
| Jackson County | Minnesota | $157,100 | $787 |
Other Counties in Florida
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam County | $160,300 | $906 | 75.4% |
| Hardee County | $153,600 | $962 | 71.4% |
| Calhoun County | $145,300 | $779 | 78.8% |
| Union County | $169,500 | $894 | 74.7% |
| Washington County | $171,000 | $888 | 80.0% |
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).