Berkshire Lakes, FL vs Shalimar, FL

Berkshire Lakes is moderately more affordable than Shalimar, with a 5.6% lower cost of living index. Berkshire Lakes scores 130 compared to 138 for Shalimar, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Shalimar can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Berkshire Lakes is $2,192/month compared to $2,162/month in Shalimar — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shalimar has cheaper rent, Berkshire Lakes actually has lower median home values ($323,300 vs $463,900).

Median household income in Berkshire Lakes is $74,250 compared to $108,182 in Shalimar (-31.4%). While Shalimar is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Berkshire Lakes spend roughly 35.4% of their income on rent, more than the 24% in Shalimar. The Shalimar ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.