Arcadia, FL vs Fort Walton Beach, FL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Arcadia is 21.4% cheaper than Fort Walton Beach. With a cost index of 76 vs 97, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Arcadia to Fort Walton Beach should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arcadia is $886/month compared to $1,268/month in Fort Walton Beach — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arcadia is more affordable at $158,900 median vs $296,000.

Median household income in Arcadia is $38,388 compared to $66,556 in Fort Walton Beach (-42.3%). While Fort Walton Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arcadia spend roughly 27.7% of their income on rent, more than the 22.9% in Fort Walton Beach.