Gulfport, FL vs Merritt Island, FL

Gulfport, FL and Merritt Island, FL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Gulfport scores 108 while Merritt Island scores 107 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 Gulfport is $1,487/month compared to $1,348/month in Merritt Island — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Merritt Island has cheaper rent, Gulfport actually has lower median home values ($335,100 vs $379,700).

Median household income in Gulfport is $68,617 compared to $91,020 in Merritt Island (-24.6%). Merritt Island offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gulfport spend roughly 26% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Merritt Island.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (74.7°F vs 73.1°F). Merritt Island receives more rainfall at 50.8" per year compared to 46.7" in Gulfport.