CostIndexUSA

Myrtle Beach, SC vs Palm Bay, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableSC
Myrtle Beach
93.6
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
FL
Palm Bay
100
overall index
$1,875/mo rent

Myrtle Beach is moderately cheaper than Palm Bay — 6.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Myrtle Beach, you would need $85,500 in Palm Bay. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+34.4%
Myrtle Beach
83.1
Palm Bay
111.7
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Myrtle Beach
96.3
Palm Bay
96.2
🚗 Transportation+0.6%
Myrtle Beach
103.2
Palm Bay
103.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Myrtle Beach
93.4
Palm Bay
93.9
Utilities≈ Equal
Myrtle Beach
88
Palm Bay
88.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Myrtle Beach to see what you'd need to earn in Palm Bay to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Palm Bay, FL
$85,500
$5,500 more needed in Palm Bay

Formula: salary × (100 ÷ 93.6) = salary × 1.0684. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Myrtle Beach, SC

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
83.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.4×

Palm Bay, FL

Median Home Price
$336,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
111.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9×

Palm Bay has 34.4% higher housing costs compared to Myrtle Beach.

Income & Job Market

Myrtle Beach, SC

Median Household Income
$69,000
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
34,695
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareRetailReal EstateHospitality

Palm Bay, FL

Median Household Income
$78,600
Per Capita Income
$44,800
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
119,760
Top Industries
AerospaceHealthcareTechnologyManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Myrtle Beach, SC
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Palm Bay, FL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.