Living in Merritt Island, Florida
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Merritt Island · Census data 2020–2024
Merritt Island has 34,992 residents with a median age of 50.2. The median household income is $94,012 (26% higher than the Florida median), the median home value is $402,900, the median rent is $1,441/month.
Merritt Island at a glance
- Population
- 34,992
- Median age
- 50.2State: 42.6
- Median household income
- $94,012State: $74,568
- Median home value
- $402,900State: $359,000
- Median rent
- $1,441/moState: $1,669
- Homeowners
- 80%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Merritt Island a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 26% higher than the Florida median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 4.1%; a poverty rate of 7.4%.
Cons: Home values 12% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in February–March and November–December.
Cost of living in Merritt Island
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Merritt Island the median home value is $402,900, 21% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,441 per month, which is 31.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,070 a month in housing costs.
Merritt Island median household income
The median household income in Merritt Island is $94,012 and the income per person is $56,114. 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Florida: 12.6%).
Housing in Merritt Island: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 17,006
- Owner-occupied
- 80%
- Renter-occupied
- 20%
- Vacant
- 16.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1973
- Average household size
- 2.44
Merritt Island demographics
- Population
- 34,992
- Median age
- 50.2
- Under 18
- 17.2%
- 65 and older
- 27.6%
- Households
- 14,166
- Foreign-born
- 6.7%
- Veterans
- 13.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Merritt Island ›
Education in Merritt Island
41% of adults 25 and older in Merritt Island have a bachelor's degree or higher (Florida: 34.1%), and 17.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Merritt Island
- Unemployment rate
- 4.1%State: 4.8%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 19%
- Drive alone
- 72.1%
- Public transit
- 0.3%
- Walk to work
- 0.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.5%
Merritt Island vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merritt Island | 34,992 | $94,012 | $402,900 | $1,441 |
| Cocoa Beach | 11,377 | $87,990 | $503,200 | $1,569 |
| Rockledge | 29,133 | $84,255 | $338,100 | $1,820 |
| Viera East | 12,570 | $92,467 | $396,700 | $1,681 |
| Tropical Park | 2,355 | $35,732 | $307,100 | $1,179 |
| Viera West | 17,984 | $109,170 | $546,600 | $2,182 |
| Patrick AFB | 1,644 | $76,250 | — | $2,190 |
| Cocoa West | 5,923 | $34,126 | $158,700 | $1,162 |
| Cocoa | 19,554 | $63,105 | $246,100 | $1,274 |
More for people moving to Merritt Island
Merritt Island ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Merritt Island: FAQ
What is the median household income in Merritt Island, FL?
The median household income in Merritt Island is $94,012, 26% higher than the Florida median of $74,568 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Merritt Island?
The median home value in Merritt Island is $402,900, compared with $359,000 in Florida.
How much is rent in Merritt Island?
The median gross rent in Merritt Island is $1,441 per month, about 31.8% of household income.
Is Merritt Island, FL a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 26% higher than the Florida median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 4.1%; a poverty rate of 7.4%. Minuses: home values 12% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Merritt Island?
The median age in Merritt Island is 50.2 years (Florida: 42.6).
How long is the commute in Merritt Island?
The average commute to work in Merritt Island is 25 minutes; 19% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Merritt Island?
The unemployment rate in Merritt Island is 4.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Merritt Island?
41% of adults in Merritt Island have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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