Alafaya, FL vs Merritt Island, FL

Merritt Island is moderately more affordable than Alafaya, with a 14.7% lower cost of living index. Alafaya scores 123 compared to 107 for Merritt Island, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Alafaya can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Alafaya is $1,834/month compared to $1,348/month in Merritt Island — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Merritt Island is more affordable at $379,700 median vs $391,900.

Median household income in Alafaya is $98,289 compared to $91,020 in Merritt Island (+8%). The higher salaries in Alafaya partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Alafaya spend roughly 22.4% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Merritt Island.