Honestly, if you’re looking at houses for rent in Apollo Beach, you’ve probably already seen the glossy photos of manatees and palm-fringed canals. It looks like a postcard. But moving here—especially as a renter in early 2026—is a bit more nuanced than just "living by the water."
The market has shifted. While many Florida coastal towns are seeing prices skyrocket into the stratosphere, Apollo Beach is doing something a little different. It’s softening in some spots and tightening in others. If you’re coming from Tampa or Brandon, you might expect more of the same, but this place has its own rhythm.
The Reality of the Rental Market Right Now
Most people think Apollo Beach is just one big retirement village. Not even close. It’s actually a massive commuter hub for people who work in Tampa but want to wake up and see a boat.
Right now, the median rent for a single-family home sits around $2,550. That’s actually a bit of a dip compared to the peak of 2025, where we saw prices hovering closer to $2,700 for the same square footage. There’s more inventory on the market—roughly 231 rental properties were active as of late last year—which gives you, the renter, a bit of leverage that didn't exist two years ago.
Don't expect "cheap," though. You’re still paying a premium for that coastal zip code (33572). If you want a 4-bedroom house with a bit of yard, you're looking at $2,647 on average.
Why the Location Tricky
People love the "20 minutes to Tampa" marketing.
It’s a lie.
Well, it’s a lie during rush hour.
If you're renting here and commuting to a 9-to-5 in the city, the average commute is closer to 36.6 minutes. US-41 and I-75 can turn into parking lots. You’ve basically gotta decide if the peace and quiet of a canal-front backyard is worth the frustration of the commute. Most residents say yes, but it’s something you’ll feel every Monday morning.
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Where to Actually Look for Houses for Rent in Apollo Beach
The town isn't just one big grid. It’s a collection of "pockets," and your experience will change wildly depending on which one you pick.
Waterset: The Master-Planned Giant
This is where most of the newer houses for rent in Apollo Beach are located. It’s huge. It feels like its own city. You get the Citizen at Waterset luxury apartments if you want that lifestyle, but the single-family rentals here are high-demand. It’s very "family-centric"—think parks, walking trails, and splash pads. Rent here is slightly higher than the town average because of the amenities, usually starting around $1,774 for smaller units and scaling fast.
MiraBay: The Boater’s Dream
If you have a boat (or want to look like you do), MiraBay is the spot. Rentals here are rare and expensive. We're talking median rents that can touch $4,375. It’s gated, it’s upscale, and it has that resort-style clubhouse everyone talks about.
Covington Park & Harbour Isles
These are the "established" neighborhoods. You’ll find more mature landscaping and slightly older homes (early 2000s), which often means more character and maybe a bit more yard space than the new-builds in Waterset. Prices here are usually more "reasonable," sitting closer to that $2,300-$2,500 range for a 3-bedroom.
The "Hidden" Costs of Renting Here
You can’t talk about Apollo Beach without talking about the water. And water in Florida means two things: Flood zones and the Manatee Viewing Center.
About 61% of properties here are at risk of severe flooding over the next 30 years. Even as a renter, this matters. You need to check the "Flood Factor" of any house you're looking at. If a storm surge hits Tampa Bay, the canals are the first to react. Make sure your renter's insurance covers what it needs to, because "standard" policies often leave you hanging when the bay ends up in your living room.
Then there’s the humidity. It’s brutal. June through August, you basically live in a sauna.
Electric bills? They’ll surprise you.
Cooling a 2,400-square-foot house in July can easily run you $300-$400 a month if the AC unit isn't brand new and high-efficiency.
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What Most People Miss: The Social Vibe
Apollo Beach is quiet. Like, really quiet.
If you’re looking for nightlife, you’re in the wrong place. There’s a handful of spots like Circles Waterfront Restaurant (great for a sunset dinner) and Finn’s, but for the most part, the town shuts down early.
It’s a "golf cart community" vibe. You’ll see people driving carts to the grocery store or the Nature Preserve. It’s diverse, too—about 17% of the population is Latino and 11% is Black. It’s a mix of young families and retirees who all share a common obsession with the water.
Schools and Families
If you’ve got kids, the schools are a major draw. Apollo Beach Elementary is consistently rated well, often getting a B+ or higher on Niche.
- Apollo Beach Elementary: Solid academics, very involved parents.
- Hillsborough County Public Schools: It's a massive district (one of the largest in the country), so quality varies, but the local options in the 33572 zip code are generally considered the "good" ones.
Actionable Tips for Securing a Rental
The rental market here isn't as cutthroat as it was in 2022, but the "good" houses still go fast—often within 21 days.
- Check the Canal Access: If a listing says "waterfront," check if it's a "freshwater" canal or has "saltwater access." If you have a boat with a tall mast, you need to know about the bridges.
- Look for "Private Landlord" Listings: While big property management companies dominate Waterset, the older parts of Apollo Beach still have "mom and pop" landlords who might be more flexible on credit scores or pet deposits.
- Visit at 5:00 PM: Before you sign a lease, drive from the house to I-75 during rush hour. If you can't handle that crawl, don't rent there.
- Verify the AC Age: Ask the landlord when the HVAC was last serviced. In this humidity, a dying AC is a nightmare that takes days to fix.
Basically, renting in Apollo Beach is about trade-offs. You trade a fast-paced life for a slower, saltier one. You trade a short commute for a view of the sunset over the bay. For the 26,000 people who live here, it's a trade they'd make every single time.
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Next Steps for You
Start by narrowing your search to either the "New Build" feel of Waterset or the "Canal Life" of the older subdivisions. Use a local property management site rather than just the big national portals; they often have listings that haven't hit the major aggregators yet. Once you find a place, check the specific flood zone via the Hillsborough County mapping tool—it’s the only way to be sure what you’re getting into before you sign.