Delray Beach, FL vs Key West, FL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Delray Beach is 22.2% cheaper than Key West. With a cost index of 129 vs 166, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Delray Beach to Key West should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Delray Beach is $1,914/month compared to $2,075/month in Key West — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Delray Beach is more affordable at $386,700 median vs $816,300.

Median household income in Delray Beach is $79,393 compared to $78,532 in Key West (+1.1%). Delray Beach offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Delray Beach spend roughly 28.9% of their income on rent, less than the 31.7% in Key West. The Delray Beach ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.