Fort Walton Beach, FL vs Longboat Key, FL

The cost of living difference between Fort Walton Beach, FL and Longboat Key, FL is dramatic. Fort Walton Beach is 52.6% cheaper than Longboat Key, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fort Walton Beach has a cost index of 97 while Longboat Key sits at 205, 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 Fort Walton Beach is $1,268/month compared to $2,969/month in Longboat Key — a 57% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Walton Beach is more affordable at $296,000 median vs $959,200.

Median household income in Fort Walton Beach is $66,556 compared to $143,365 in Longboat Key (-53.6%). While Longboat Key is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Walton Beach spend roughly 22.9% of their income on rent, less than the 24.9% in Longboat Key.