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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

$
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You'd spend $648/month more in Palm Bay, FL

$150.0K in your current city equals $157.8K in Palm Bay, FL

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 8.6%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$648
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$7.8K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Gainesville, FL

Population:146K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$297K

Palm Bay, FL

Population:136K
Cost Index:
109
(9% above avg)
Median Home:$304K

Gainesville, FL

The Sunshine State

146K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

Located in Florida, this city has a population of 146K residents.

๐Ÿ’ก Advantage: Florida has no state income tax!

Palm Bay, FL

The Sunshine State

136K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

Located in Florida, this city has a population of 136K residents.

๐Ÿ’ก Advantage: Florida has no state income tax!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Gainesville, FL vs Palm Bay, FL

Housing
โ†‘ 21.3%
Gainesville, FL
$1,946
Palm Bay, FL
$2,361
Difference
$415
more
Other
โ†‘ 10.4%
Gainesville, FL
$1,589
Palm Bay, FL
$1,754
Difference
$165
more
Transportation
โ†“ 0.9%
Gainesville, FL
$1,257
Palm Bay, FL
$1,246
Difference
$10.69
less
Groceries
โ†“ 0.4%
Gainesville, FL
$1,008
Palm Bay, FL
$1,004
Difference
$4.30
less
All Utilities
โ†“ 0.4%
Gainesville, FL
$568
Palm Bay, FL
$565
Difference
$2.42
less
Healthcare
โ†“ 0.4%
Gainesville, FL
$564
Palm Bay, FL
$562
Difference
$2.40
less

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,007
To$1,122
โ†‘ $115
1 Bed
From$1,082
To$1,312
โ†‘ $230
2 Bed
From$1,298
To$1,514
โ†‘ $216
3 Bed
From$1,622
To$2,062
โ†‘ $440
Gainesville, FLZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,180โ€“$1,580/mo

Palm Bay, FLZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,410โ€“$1,750/mo

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,932
Monthly in Gainesville, FL
$7,492
Monthly in Palm Bay, FL
$560
Difference

Home Values

Gainesville
Palm Bay
$297K
Median Value
$304K
โ†“ -3.1%
YoY Change
โ†“ -4.5%
โ†‘ +29.2%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +33%
$214K - $394K
Price Range
$231K - $313K

Homes in Palm Bay are 3% more expensive than Gainesville

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†’ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Gainesville, FL

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Florida State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Palm Bay, FL

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Florida State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Gainesville, FL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%
Property Tax:0.8%

Palm Bay, FL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%
Property Tax:0.8%

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Gainesville
Palm Bay
50 Good
Air Quality
41 Good
51.9%
Good Air Days
75.6%
97 High
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒ…๐ŸŒ€
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒ€๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+2.3ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.3ยฐF
36 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
58 days
โ–ฒ+2.3ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.3ยฐF
36 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
58 days

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