Melbourne, KY vs Stearns, KY

Melbourne is moderately more affordable than Stearns, with a 12.4% lower cost of living index. Melbourne scores 65 compared to 75 for Stearns, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Stearns can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

Renters will find that Melbourne has a median rent of $638/month while Stearns comes in at $581/month, a 10% difference.

Median household income in Melbourne is $66,458 compared to $36,964 in Stearns (+79.8%). Melbourne offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Melbourne spend roughly 11.5% of their income on rent, less than the 18.9% in Stearns.