01 · the cities
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→Ocala
Ocala is the horse capital of the world (it actually has more thoroughbred horses than Lexington, Kentucky), with rolling hills of horse farms unlike anywhere else in Florida. Silver Springs (one of the largest artesian springs in the world) is right next door, with glass-bottom boats and clear blue water. Surprisingly hilly. Slower than the coastal cities, with a quietly strong equestrian economy.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,895/mo
$1,616/mo
$279/mo less than Melbourne (17%)
Median home price
Median home price
$351k
$277k
$74k less than Melbourne
State income tax
State income tax
0%
0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,438/mo
$6,717/mo
Ocala has $279/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
254 days
208 days
46 fewer than Melbourne
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
15 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
0 days
days below 20°F per year
Ocala has 15 more days above 95°F each year than Melbourne.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
55 / 100
62 / 100
7.0 pts ahead of Melbourne
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
2 routes
5 routes
3 more direct routes than Melbourne
Metro size
Metro size
644k metro
410k metro
the verdict
2
Melbourne
categories won
5
Ocala
categories won
Ocala wins on money and lifestyle. Melbourne has the edge on weather.
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