Median rent is 28% lower in Merritt Island ($1,348/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Merritt Island, where the median home runs $379,700 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Merritt Island ($91,020 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Merritt Island, FL
How much would you need to earn in Merritt Island, FL to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Los Angeles
California
Merritt Island
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Merritt Island — median rent of $1,348/mo versus $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, a 28% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $379,700 in Merritt Island — 57% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Florida has no state income tax, while California tops out at 13.30% — giving Merritt Island a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 6.00% in Florida; Merritt Island has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Merritt Island
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Merritt Island.
Pick Merritt Island if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,020/yr).
Pick Merritt Island if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,348/mo median).
Pick Merritt Island if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Los Angeles cheaper than Merritt Island?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs Merritt Island?
Median rent is $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,348/mo in Merritt Island, FL. Merritt Island, FL has the lower rent by about 28%.
Which has higher salaries — Los Angeles or Merritt Island?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $91,020 in Merritt Island, FL. Merritt Island, FL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Los Angeles or Merritt Island?
Florida has no state income tax. California has a top rate of 13.30%.
What salary do I need in Merritt Island to match my Los Angeles income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology