Fort Myers, FL vs Panama City, FL

Panama City is moderately more affordable than Fort Myers, with a 14.8% lower cost of living index. Fort Myers scores 109 compared to 95 for Panama City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fort Myers can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Myers is $1,442/month compared to $1,334/month in Panama City — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Panama City is more affordable at $243,200 median vs $351,600.

Median household income in Fort Myers is $62,160 compared to $61,125 in Panama City (+1.7%). Fort Myers does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Myers spend roughly 27.8% of their income on rent, more than the 26.2% in Panama City.