Melbourne, FL vs Merritt Island, FL

Melbourne is moderately more affordable than Merritt Island, with a 6.4% lower cost of living index. Melbourne scores 101 compared to 107 for Merritt Island, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Merritt Island can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Melbourne is $1,411/month compared to $1,348/month in Merritt Island — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Merritt Island has cheaper rent, Melbourne actually has lower median home values ($272,900 vs $379,700).

Median household income in Melbourne is $64,504 compared to $91,020 in Merritt Island (-29.1%). While Merritt Island is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Melbourne spend roughly 26.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Merritt Island.

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