salaryRent is higher than in 58% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $72,480 a year. That is $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Florida cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Florida. It is number 162 of 479 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Melbourne?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Melbourne
| Size | Melbourne | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,242 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,389 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,654 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,754 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,072 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Melbourne overall?
Everyday prices in the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville metro area are same as the U.S. average (index 100.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Melbourne
Life in Melbourne
What jobs pay in Melbourne
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $134,070 | 16.2% |
| Software Developer | $131,760 | 16.5% |
| Lawyer | $129,640 | 16.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $124,190 | 17.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $120,870 | 18.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,940 | 21.3% |
| Operations Manager | $101,830 | 21.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,640 | 21.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,400 | 22.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $80,900 | 26.9% |
| Accountant | $75,860 | 28.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $73,350 | 29.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,510 | 34.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,000 | 35.6% |
| Police Officer | $60,520 | 35.9% |
| Plumber | $59,780 | 36.4% |
| Electrician | $58,450 | 37.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $57,240 | 38.0% |
| Truck Driver | $48,460 | 44.9% |
| Carpenter | $47,770 | 45.5% |
| Firefighter | $43,850 | 49.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $38,830 | 56.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,760 | 57.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,680 | 57.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,070 | 58.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,750 | 59.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,670 | 59.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,430 | 65.0% |
| Cashier | $30,390 | 71.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Melbourne?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $314 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $306,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $30,640 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Melbourne, FL?
Renting in Melbourne costs a median of about $1,812 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Florida median is $1,963.
How much do I need to make to live in Melbourne?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $72,480 a year, or $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Melbourne cheap or expensive?
Melbourne is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.1% of the typical household income of $72,250. It ranks 162nd cheapest of 479 Florida cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Melbourne?
The median homeowner in Melbourne pays $2,075 a year in property taxes, about 0.68% of the median home value.
Is Melbourne more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are same as the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Melbourne?
The median home value in Melbourne is $306,400, about 4.2 times the typical yearly household income.
86,576 people live in Melbourne. Numbers are typical (middle) values.