By Manuella Irwin
Updated: Aug 2, 2026
6 min read
Reviewed by Martin Pаnауоtоv
Editor
Martin is founder of MoveAdvisor, formerly MyMovingReviews.com.
748 movers in Bartow
"This is the worse moving company I have ever dealt with. They damaged my furniture and then wants to pay me $50 for breaking the leg of my antique chair. Then she had the audacity to tell me she is the executive director of the company and that I ..."
"I canceled the service on the same day and was charged when Carroll Wade contacted me and tried to threaten me. The company is terrible are criminals. The reviews are fake, he creates emails and phones to do fake reviews. never believe in this com..."
"Run. Don not walk. Run away from this company. We hired them to move us from VT to MT for $16,000 plus for white glove service. Our belongings arrived 2 weeks late and 75% of our belongings were not packed, destroyed, broken, scratched. The contra..."
"These people are cons. we dealt specifically with Eric Kramer, and he is a snake. promised us everything we wanted. told us not to worry about the contract guidelines because we were "all set." Couple days before our move CROSS COUNTRY, we get a c..."
"I signed a moving contract between Dallas, TX and Corpus Christi, TX with Ryan Rinker from Coastal Movers for $2,179.50 on 5/28/24. I gave a 944.00 deposit to Ryan for the move. Ryan told me that they couldn’t travel 6 hours in 1 day due to the ..."
"DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS SCAM COMPANY!!! WHY AFTER ALL THESE COMPLAINTS ABOUT BAD BUSINESS PRACTICES ARE THEY NOT SHUT DOWN??? Hired them to move interstate. Was contacted by agent Howard and he talked Non-Stop about how great he was and wha..."
"Please avoid. This company will lure you with a lower quote and then after the time period of when you can cancel pass, they will coincidentally increase the price and keep your deposit even when you don't use their service. Do yourself a favor an..."
"The company gave 12 hours notice before picking up my possessions, caused significant wall and door damage during the move, and it cost $2000 more than additionally quoted. It’s been 3 weeks since I moved and I have had zero contact from them rega..."
"This company is run by thieves and crooks. The president of the company is Heidi Lynn Baker, I was given a quote for a move from Arizona to Texas made my deposit and everything was on track until 4 days before the move, I received a call telling m..."
"Worst experience ever. They called me to give a day and hour of delivery they never showed up until next day. All my boxes were cover in mud and i am lacking of 3 boxes. run away from this company"
What to know when moving to Bartow, FL
TL;DR: Bartow at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A community where 31.5% of residents are renters and the median household income is $62,636.
- The Major Draw:
- Median gross rent is $1,017, making it relatively affordable for the area.
- The Reality Check:
- 18.3% of residents live in poverty, which is a significant consideration.
- Commute:
- Only 0.1% of residents use public transit.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for a median home value of $207,900 if you're considering buying.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
Bartow is characterized by a population of around 32,738, with 18.4% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a relatively low renter percentage at 31.5%, indicating a community that leans towards homeownership. However, the poverty rate is 18.3%, which could affect overall economic stability.
Probably not your spot if you are looking for high public transit options, as only 0.1% of residents commute via this method, suggesting a strong reliance on personal vehicles.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median gross rent is $1,017, making it accessible compared to many other areas.
- The median owner-occupied home value is $207,900, which is reasonable for the region.
- 18.4% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher, contributing to the community's character.
- The poverty rate stands at 18.3%, indicating some financial challenges within the community.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Schools & Higher Ed
There are 7 postsecondary institutions available in the nearby area, offering various educational opportunities.
- Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Lakeland
- Florida Southern College
- NUC University - Florida Technical College - Lakeland
- Polk State College
- Southeastern University
- Traviss Technical College
- UR Beauty & Barber Academy-At True Family Barber Academy
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations, NCES, College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
While specific climate data is unavailable, there are several parks and outdoor spaces that residents can enjoy nearby.
- Bonnet Springs Park - 4.9 stars (2,687 reviews)
- Mary Holland Park - 4.5 stars (1,024 reviews)
- Holloway Park - 4.5 stars (599 reviews)
- Loyce E. Harpe Park - 4.5 stars (507 reviews)
- Rotary Park - 4.3 stars (432 reviews)
Source: Google Places API.
Jobs & the Local Economy
In Polk County, the unemployment rate is 5.5% as of December 2025, with a labor force of 361,713.
- Unemployment rate: 5.5% (December 2025)
- Employed: 341,767
- Labor force: 361,713
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.