Fort Walton Beach

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Fort Walton Beach, FL

Area Guide

A thriving community at the heart of the Emerald Coast

Coastal Beach Suburb Affordable Military Tourism Golf

Fort Walton Beach, Florida combines coastal living with deep military heritage along the Emerald Coast. The area offers various housing options from waterfront condominiums to single-family homes. Current rental trends show average monthly rates of $1,463 for one-bedroom units, while three-bedroom homes typically rent for around $2,096, with the market experiencing slight adjustments as larger units have seen modest decreases in pricing over the past year. Notable areas include the downtown district, known for its shopping and dining scene, and the residential neighborhoods near Santa Rosa Sound, featuring water views and community amenities.

Fort Walton Beach centers on its beaches, military presence, and outdoor activities. The Heritage Park and Cultural Center showcases local history through attractions like the Indian Temple Mound Museum, while Brooks Bridge connects residents to Okaloosa Island's white-sand beaches. The proximity of Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field shapes the community's character. Residents enjoy numerous parks and water access points throughout the city. The annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival celebrates the area's coastal heritage each June.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Fort Walton Beach, FL is $871 for a studio, $1,442 for one bedroom, $1,578 for two bedrooms, and $2,027 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Fort Walton Beach has decreased by -0.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,442/month
700 Sq Ft
House
$2,192/month
1,527 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,811/month
912 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,674/month
1,169 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Fort Walton Beach, FL

Transportation

59

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

52

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Northwest Florida Ballet Academie

Public

Grades 3-9

141 Students

Elliott Point Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

597 Students

Wright Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

635 Students

Annette P. Edwins Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

453 Students

Kenwood Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

545 Students

Northwest Florida Ballet Academie

Public

Grades 3-9

141 Students

Max Bruner Junior Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

776 Students

W. C. Pryor Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

709 Students

Silver Sands-Excep. Children

Public

Grades PK-12

114 Students

Okaloosa Virtual Instruction Program

Public

Grades K-12

13 Students

Fort Walton Beach High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,620 Students

Choctawhatchee Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,677 Students

Silver Sands-Excep. Children

Public

Grades PK-12

114 Students

Okaloosa Virtual Instruction Program

Public

Grades K-12

13 Students

Okaloosa Virtual Franchise

Public

Grades 6-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Emerald Coast Science Center

Airports

  • Eglin AFB/Destin-Ft Walton Beach
  • Pensacola International

Top Apartments in Fort Walton Beach

Houses for Rent in Fort Walton Beach

Property Management Companies in Fort Walton Beach, FL

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.