Fort Myers, FL vs Merritt Island, FL

Fort Myers, FL and Merritt Island, FL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.1% difference in their overall index. Fort Myers scores 109 while Merritt Island scores 107 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Myers is $1,442/month compared to $1,348/month in Merritt Island — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Merritt Island has cheaper rent, Fort Myers actually has lower median home values ($351,600 vs $379,700).

Median household income in Fort Myers is $62,160 compared to $91,020 in Merritt Island (-31.7%). 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 Fort Myers spend roughly 27.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Merritt Island.