RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · FL

Melbourne Beach

Pop. 3,250·24th most expensive in Florida·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,079/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-4.8%
vs US Median
+$1,114
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Melbourne Beach rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Melbourne Beach · $3,079
More expensive than 92% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
36% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,079/mo, rent takes about 36% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$123,000/yr
Local median income
$102,857/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Melbourne Beach's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,440
1 BR
$1,690
2 BR
$1,960
3 BR
$2,670
4 BR+
$3,050
Research median
$1,960/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$36,948/yr
At $3,079/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -4.8% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Melbourne Beach, FL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 69.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
3,250
Median income
$102,857
Median age
56.4
Renters
17.6%
Age distribution
15%
14.7%
17.7%
22.2%
30.3%
Under 1815%
18–3414.7%
35–5417.7%
55–6422.2%
65+30.3%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
88.5%
White88.5%
Hispanic7.8%
Asian1.6%
Other2.1%
Education (25+)
17.6%
69.5%
No HS diploma2.1%
HS diploma10.8%
Some college17.6%
Bachelor's+69.5%
Housing tenure
82.4%
17.6%
Owner82.4%
Renter17.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Melbourne Beach, FL has changed in 5 years

Income
$69,896 → $102,857
up 47.2%
Population
3,219 → 3,250
up 1.0%
Renter share
19.5% → 17.6%
-1.9 pts
Bachelor's+
61.4% → 69.5%
+8.1 pts
Median age
53.4 → 56.4
+3.0 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $69,896 to $102,857 across the same window, up 47.2% versus 2021. The population has grown by 1.0% since 2021, moving from about 3,219 residents to roughly 3,250. Renters now make up 17.6% of households, compared with 19.5% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 69.5% of adults here, versus 61.4% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Melbourne Beach

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Melbourne Beach rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Melbourne Beach on your salary?

At $3,079/mo, how Melbourne Beach rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Melbourne Beach rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Melbourne Beach. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Melbourne Beach

About renting in Melbourne Beach, FL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Melbourne Beach is $3,079/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,440/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,960/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,690/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,670/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($102,857/yr), Melbourne Beach ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Melbourne Beach an affordable city for renters?

Melbourne Beach is considered moderate for renters. At $3,079/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($102,857/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Melbourne Beach slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Melbourne Beach?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $123,000/year (~$59/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,079/mo in Melbourne Beach. The local median household income is $102,857/yr, meaning the typical Melbourne Beach household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Melbourne Beach?

Rent in Melbourne Beach has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Melbourne Beach rent compare to other cities in Florida?

Melbourne Beach is one of the pricier cities in Florida for rent, ranking #24 out of 288 tracked cities at $3,079/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Melbourne Beach?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Melbourne Beach ($3,079/mo): Palm Bay ($1,881/mo), West Melbourne ($1,948/mo), Sebastian ($1,994/mo).

What percentage of Melbourne Beach residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 17.6% of Melbourne Beach households are renters, while 82.4% are owner-occupied. Melbourne Beach leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Melbourne Beach rent compare to the national average?

Melbourne Beach's median rent of $3,079/mo is $1,114 (57%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Florida, it ranks #24 out of 288 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $3,079/mo, rent takes ~36% of Melbourne Beach's median household income ($102,857/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Melbourne Beach 36%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Melbourne Beach affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Melbourne Beach
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Melbourne Beach, FL

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Melbourne Beach.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.