01 · the cities
Naples
Naples brings wealthy retirees to the Gulf coast for genuinely some of the prettiest beaches in Florida, and the sunsets at the pier are a community ritual (everyone gathers, no one talks). The downtown along Fifth Avenue is pastel and breezy. Mercato has the upscale restaurants. The Everglades' western edge starts just south of town. Affluent, sunny, and quieter than the east-coast Florida cities.
full dispatch→Melbourne
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.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,719/mo
$1,895/mo
$824/mo less than Naples (43%)
Median home price
Median home price
$679k
$351k
$328k less than Naples
State income tax
State income tax
0%
0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$5,614/mo
$6,438/mo
Melbourne has $824/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
261 days
254 days
7 fewer than Naples
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
0 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
0 days
days below 20°F per year
Naples and Melbourne have remarkably similar weather profiles overall.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
58 / 100
55 / 100
3.0 pts behind Naples
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
34 routes
2 routes
32 fewer direct routes than Naples
Metro size
Metro size
404k metro
644k metro
the verdict
3
Naples
categories won
3
Melbourne
categories won
Naples wins on weather and lifestyle, Melbourne wins on money. Dead even.
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