Living in Polk Gets Cheaper

Life in Polk County got cheaper in 2006 … relatively speaking. A recently released report from the University of Florida says so, ranking Polk's cost of living 35th out of the state's 67 counties, a decrease from the previous year.

The 2006 Florida County Retail Price Index ranks Monroe as the state's most expensive county, at No. 1, while No. 67 Washington is the cheapest. Polk's new rating was down from 25th in the 2005 report.

The study, conducted by UF's Bureau of Economic and Business Research, measures local prices for common items and services in five categories: Food and beverages, medical care, housing, goods and services, and transportation. Each county's index score compares against a statewide average of 100, meaning residents of Polk (89.90) enjoy a cost of living about 10 percent below the Florida average.

Living in Polk Gets Cheaper - The Ledger - February 20, 2008