Fort Walton Beach, FL vs Willow Oak, FL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Willow Oak is 15.8% cheaper than Fort Walton Beach. With a cost index of 84 vs 97, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Willow Oak 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 $986/month in Willow Oak — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Willow Oak is more affordable at $241,600 median vs $296,000.

Median household income in Fort Walton Beach is $66,556 compared to $59,346 in Willow Oak (+12.1%). 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 19.9% in Willow Oak.