2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Key West, FL vs Palm Bay, FL

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Palm Bay or is it cheaper to live in Key West?
- Palm Bay is 35.5% less expensive than Key West.

Which city has more affordable housing, Palm Bay or Key West?
- Palm Bay housing costs are 69.9% less expensive than Key West housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Key West or is Health Care more affordable in Palm Bay.
- Health related expenses are 38.5% less in Palm Bay.
 Key West, FLPalm Bay, FLUnited States
 Overall  Unlock95.6100
 Food & Groceries114.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock99.9100
 Housing257.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$301,500$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock89.1100
 Miscellaneous109.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Key West    7 Reviews

I was raised in Key West since 1980, these average cost prices for rent that you are seeing were not even accurate then, let alone now in 2021. The average cost of  More

   |    Reply

Over 10 years ago

Like the  More

   |    Reply

I have lived in Key West for the last seven years. During that time, I have observed very little change in the cost of living. I work for a national company that pays  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Key West

Reviews for Palm Bay    27 Reviews

I moved to Palm Bay in 2020 and the cost of living has skyrocketed! A two bedroom apartment was around $900/month in 2020. Now it's $1600 and up. Mostly up. A three  More

   |    Reply

My family of 4 have lived here in NW Palm Bay for over 10 years. My wife and my son from another marriage lived here for over 7 before that. I myself have lived here for  More

   |    Reply

I lived in Palm Bay for 12 years. It's a very unfriendly and crowded place to live. It's well into the 90's from late April till right around the 10th of November. The  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Palm Bay


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.