New Smyrna Beach, FL vs The Villages, FL

New Smyrna Beach, FL and The Villages, FL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. New Smyrna Beach scores 114 while The Villages scores 111 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 New Smyrna Beach is $1,638/month compared to $1,541/month in The Villages — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while The Villages has cheaper rent, New Smyrna Beach actually has lower median home values ($365,900 vs $375,100).

Median household income in New Smyrna Beach is $78,373 compared to $76,523 in The Villages (+2.4%). The higher salaries in New Smyrna Beach partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of New Smyrna Beach spend roughly 25.1% of their income on rent, more than the 24.2% in The Villages.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (71.5°F vs 72.8°F). New Smyrna Beach receives more rainfall at 51.3" per year compared to 43.8" in The Villages.