same $100k income, fresh start from Chicago

change
Melbourne, FL cityscape

if you left chicago

Melbourne

fl · metro 644k

a dispatch from

melbourne

FL

28.08°N

80.61°W

Palm Bay is part of the Space Coast, which means you can watch SpaceX and NASA rocket launches from the backyard on a clear day. The Indian River Lagoon is right there for fishing, kayaking, and manatee spotting. It's quieter and more affordable than the bigger Florida metros, with quick access to Cocoa Beach and Kennedy Space Center. Suburban in a Florida way.

metro644k

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$687

cheaper each month than Chicago

You'd feel the difference in Melbourne. Not life-changing money, but real breathing room next to Chicago.
landable, recorded on the melbourne entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,895/mo

13% cheaper than Chicago(vs $2,170/mo)

02state income tax

0%

$412/mo less in state tax than Chicago

vs 4.95% in Chicago

03after rent

$6,438/mo

$687 more than Chicago

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$351k

4% cheaper than Chicago

vs $365k in Chicago

05metro size

644k

vs 9.3M in Chicago

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

254

pleasant days a year, in melbourne.

Chicago only manages 153 of those.

Chicago hosts Infinity× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

55/100

21% lower than Chicago

vs 70/100 in Chicago

Closest outdoor draw: Canaveral National Seashore, 49.6 mi.

·walk score®

84/100

16% lower than Chicago

vs 100/100 in Chicago

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

2

99% fewer than Chicago

vs 217 nonstops in Chicago

04 · see also

neighbors of melbourne on the map of tradeoffs: