Melbourne, FL vs New Smyrna Beach, FL

Melbourne is moderately more affordable than New Smyrna Beach, with a 12% lower cost of living index. Melbourne scores 101 compared to 114 for New Smyrna Beach, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of New Smyrna Beach 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 $1,638/month in New Smyrna Beach — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Melbourne is more affordable at $272,900 median vs $365,900.

Median household income in Melbourne is $64,504 compared to $78,373 in New Smyrna Beach (-17.7%). While New Smyrna Beach 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 25.1% in New Smyrna Beach.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (73.1°F vs 71.5°F). New Smyrna Beach receives more rainfall at 51.3" per year compared to 50.8" in Melbourne.