The median listing price in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area was $329K in September 2026, down 3.2% from a year earlier (Realtor.com). 4,801 homes were listed for sale, up 0.7% year over year, with a median of 80 days on market. The metro area covers Polk County, with 760,961 residents and a median household income of $63,644 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2019–2023).
Housing Market (September 2026)
| Median listing price | $329K | #23 of 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Listing price change (YoY) | -3.2% | |
| Active listings | 4,801 | #8 of 28 |
| Inventory change (YoY) | +0.7% | |
| Median days on market | 80 | |
| Listings with a price cut | 23.4% | |
| Listing price per sq ft | $184 | #25 of 28 |
Source: Realtor.com® Economic Research (realtor.com/research/data).
People and Affordability
| Population | 760,961 | #7 of 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth (5 yr) | +13.8% | |
| Median household income | $63,644 | #18 of 28 |
| Median home value (owner-reported) | $240K | |
| Median gross rent | $1,272 | |
| Price-to-income ratio | 3.77× |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019–2023 5-year estimates.
Economy, Development and Banking
Totals across the 1 county in the metro area.
| Total employment (2025) | 264,981 | |
|---|---|---|
| Permitted housing units, YTD (through August 2026) | 4,828 | |
| Banks headquartered here | 3 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (QCEW); U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey; FDIC BankFind Suite.
Florida foreclosure rates: Lakeland
- 1 in 2,397 Florida housing units had a foreclosure filing in August 2026, the #3 highest state rate (4,278 filings).
- For the first half of 2026, Florida had the #1 state rate: 0.27% of housing units.
- The Lakeland metro: 0.48% of housing units, #2 nationally among metros of 200,000+.
Source: ATTOM, foreclosure rates by state (August 2026, published September 18, 2026) and mid-year 2026 report. Updated monthly.
Counties in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area
| County | Population | Median list price | YoY | Days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | 760,961 | $329K | -3.2% | 80 |
See the Lakeland-Winter Haven area's Linton Global Market Score and Linton Global Value Gap against every Florida metro on the Market Map. Free to unlock.
See the Linton Global scores →How we calculate them: methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median listing price in the Lakeland-Winter Haven area?
$329K in September 2026, according to Realtor.com Economic Research, -3.2% versus a year earlier.
Which counties are in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area?
Polk County, under the federal (OMB) core-based statistical area definition.
How affordable is the Lakeland-Winter Haven area?
The ACS median home value is $240K against a median household income of $63,644, a price-to-income ratio of 3.77×.
Equal Housing Opportunity