Key Largo, FL vs Mary Esther, FL

The cost of living difference between Key Largo, FL and Mary Esther, FL is dramatic. Mary Esther is 42.6% cheaper than Key Largo, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Key Largo has a cost index of 145 while Mary Esther sits at 101, 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 Key Largo is $1,889/month compared to $1,517/month in Mary Esther — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mary Esther is more affordable at $255,300 median vs $626,300.

Median household income in Key Largo is $78,906 compared to $76,510 in Mary Esther (+3.1%). Key Largo does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Key Largo spend roughly 28.7% of their income on rent, more than the 23.8% in Mary Esther.

Climate-wise, Key Largo is notably warmer with an average of 76.2°F compared to 69.8°F in Mary Esther. Key Largo receives more rainfall at 56.1" per year compared to 55.4" in Mary Esther.