Median rent is 21% lower in Melbourne ($1,525/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Melbourne, where the median home runs $306,400 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $66,991 a year). Taken together, Melbourne is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 113.7 against 114.7 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Los Angeles, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Melbourne is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 113.7 in Melbourne vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Melbourne, FL
How much would you need to earn in Melbourne, FL to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in Melbourne, FL
$74,305
You could earn $695 less (1% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Los Angeles
California
Melbourne
Florida
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Melbourne — median rent of $1,525/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 21% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $306,400 in Melbourne — 67% more expensive.
Metric
Los Angeles
Melbourne
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Melbourne
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Melbourne.
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,939/yr).
Pick Melbourne if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,525/mo median).
Melbourne is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 113.7 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Melbourne.
Median rent is $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,525/mo in Melbourne, FL. Melbourne, FL has the lower rent by about 21%.
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA and $66,991 in Melbourne, FL. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $99,073 in Melbourne, FL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
