Fort Walton Beach, FL vs Macclenny, FL

Fort Walton Beach, FL and Macclenny, FL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Fort Walton Beach scores 97 while Macclenny scores 93 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 Walton Beach is $1,268/month compared to $1,294/month in Macclenny — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fort Walton Beach has cheaper rent, Macclenny actually has lower median home values ($227,500 vs $296,000).

Median household income in Fort Walton Beach is $66,556 compared to $63,640 in Macclenny (+4.6%). The higher salaries in Fort Walton Beach partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Walton Beach spend roughly 22.9% of their income on rent, less than the 24.4% in Macclenny.