Melbourne, FL vs Monterey, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Melbourne
69.9
#1158 nationally
Monterey
62.7
#1834 nationally
Melbourne leads in cost of living index (105 vs 192). Monterey leads in median household income ($98,003 vs $60,917). Monterey leads in walk score (53 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Melbourne, FL | Monterey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.9 (#1158) | 62.7 (#1834) |
| Population | 86,960 | 29,116 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,012 | $1,179,065 |
| Median Household Income | $60,917 | $98,003 |
| Average Commute | 22.5 min | 19.1 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 7.6 | 10.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 192 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+20.8 | D+29.9 |
D+
69.9 Score
Melbourne, FL
Florida community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$360,012
Population
86,960
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
Southeast
View Melbourne, FL →
D-
62.7 Score
Monterey, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,179,065
Population
29,116
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Monterey, CA →