Fort Walton Beach, FL vs Mims, FL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Mims is 19.5% cheaper than Fort Walton Beach. With a cost index of 81 vs 97, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Mims to Fort Walton Beach should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Walton Beach is $1,268/month compared to $874/month in Mims — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mims is more affordable at $235,600 median vs $296,000.

Median household income in Fort Walton Beach is $66,556 compared to $57,232 in Mims (+16.3%). 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, more than the 18.3% in Mims.