Davenport, FL vs Merritt Island, FL

The cost of living difference between Davenport, FL and Merritt Island, FL is dramatic. Merritt Island is 35.6% cheaper than Davenport, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Davenport has a cost index of 146 while Merritt Island sits at 107, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Davenport is $2,875/month compared to $1,348/month in Merritt Island — a 113% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Merritt Island has cheaper rent, Davenport actually has lower median home values ($297,000 vs $379,700).

Median household income in Davenport is $65,157 compared to $91,020 in Merritt Island (-28.4%). Merritt Island offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Davenport spend roughly 52.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Merritt Island. The Merritt Island ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.