Median rent is 4% lower in West Melbourne ($1,801/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in West Melbourne, where the median home runs $341,500 versus $879,500. Households earn more in West Melbourne ($90,521 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
West Melbourne, FL
How much would you need to earn in West Melbourne, 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
West 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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,879/mo in Los Angeles and $1,801/mo in West Melbourne. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $341,500 in West Melbourne — 61% 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 West Melbourne a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 6.00% in Florida; West Melbourne has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
West Melbourne
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for West Melbourne.
Pick West Melbourne if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,521/yr).
Pick West Melbourne if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Los Angeles cheaper than West Melbourne?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs West Melbourne?
Median rent is $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,801/mo in West Melbourne, FL. West Melbourne, FL has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Los Angeles or West Melbourne?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $90,521 in West Melbourne, FL. West Melbourne, 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 West Melbourne?
Florida has no state income tax. California has a top rate of 13.30%.
What salary do I need in West Melbourne 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