Cost of Living in Fort Myers Beach, FL

With a cost of living index of 138, Fort Myers Beach, FL is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 38% more expensive than the national average and 27% above the Florida state average of 110. Fort Myers Beach is a smaller community of 5,548 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Fort Myers Beach's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,693 (28% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $611,600 (101% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.7x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Fort Myers Beach is $90,833, which is 21% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 22% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they do not fully offset the higher cost of living.

Everyday prices in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area are generally below the national average. Out of 6 common items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced lower than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.