Cost to Own
United States › Florida › Polk County › Lake Alfred Population 6,803 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-29
Before you budget for Lake Alfred FEMA rates natural hazard risk in Polk County Relatively High, with strong wind its highest-ranked hazard against other US counties. It shapes what insurers charge here. See what threatens homes in this county

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Lake Alfred, Florida

A $227,000 home here costs

$1,931

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $83,000 a year.

P&I 64%Tax 7%Insurance 7%Utilities 12%Upkeep 10%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $1,238. The real number is $694 higher every month, 56% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Polk County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Lake Alfred median: $226,800
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
FL average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $181,600 borrowed $1,238
Property tax0.708% effective rate for Lake Alfred itself $134
Homeowners insuranceFlorida averages $2,437/yr (NAIC), or 0.725% of home value $137
Electricity14.99ยข/kWh, Florida residential average, EIA $165
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $189
Total monthly $1,931

Lake Alfred against Polk County and Florida

MeasureLake AlfredPolk County
Median home value$226,800$240,000
Median property tax$1,606$1,769
Effective tax rate0.708%0.737%
Median gross rent$1,348$1,272
Population6,803760,961

The weather behind that power bill

Lake Alfred sits in Polk County, which averages a high of 92.9°F in its hottest month and a low of 51.9°F in its coldest, with 46.12" of precipitation a year and 46% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 3,929 cooling and 421 heating degree days, which is what sets the $165 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Polk County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Polk County

Full Polk County cost breakdown · Every county in Florida

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Lake Alfred averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Lake Alfred every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Lake Alfred I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Lake Alfred?

A $227,000 home in Lake Alfred, Florida costs approximately $1,931 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $1,238 principal and interest, $134 property tax, $137 homeowners insurance, $233 utilities and $189 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Lake Alfred?

Lake Alfred has an effective property tax rate of 0.708%, based on a median home value of $226,800 and median real estate taxes of $1,606. That is lower than the Polk County average of 0.737%.

What is the average home price in Lake Alfred?

The median owner-occupied home value in Lake Alfred, Florida is $226,800, against $240,000 across Polk County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lake Alfred?

Median gross rent in Lake Alfred is $1,348 a month, against $1,931 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Lake Alfred?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Lake Alfred, Florida at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $83,000 a year. That covers the full $1,931 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Lake Alfred, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Florida.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology