Merritt Island 70 Good
Merritt Island Livability #441 ranked city in Florida#7,878 ranked city in the USARanks better than 73% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Merritt Island

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Schools Schools

    A high score in the schools category could be the result of elements like top-notch test scores, high education levels and the convenient location of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Merritt Island?

Located in the state of Florida, Merritt Island is a medium-sized city with a population of 35,222 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (91% White). Given that fact, Merritt Island could be considered less diverse than other cities. With an average age of 50 years, Merritt Island residents appear to be older compared to the national average. For seniors and retirees, this city presents itself as a compelling choice. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Merritt Island is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 26 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Merritt Island could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Florida if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Merritt Island and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes cost of living, commute, employment and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 69 out of 100, Merritt Island is ranked #7,705 in the United States and #462 in Florida. For each of the livability categories, we see that Merritt Island ranks very well for crime (B+), cost of living (B+), education (B+), employment (A-) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Merritt Island. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (F).

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Merritt Island have an average test score of 71%, which is well above the US average.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Merritt Island apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Merritt Island real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Merritt Island. Median real estate prices in Merritt Island come in at $537,310, which is 79.3% higher than the Florida average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Merritt Island, the home price to income ratio is 4.9, which is 16.7% higher than the Florida average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Merritt Island

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Compare Merritt Island, FL Livability

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      Merritt Island transportation information

      Statistic Merritt Island Florida National
      Average one way commute26min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.3%79.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.2%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.1%2.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.8%1.5%2.8%
      Working from home11.3%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Merritt Island, FL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.