City Report · FL

West Melbourne

Pop. 28,795·202nd most expensive in Florida·Rental market data updated monthly for West Melbourne, FL
Median rent (all units)
$1,952/mo
Year-over-Year
+0.7%
Month-over-Month
+0.2%
vs US Median
-$10
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
West Melbourne · $1,952
More expensive than 56% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
77/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 14% below what West Melbourne's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,952/mo
Expected by trend
$2,259/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where West Melbourne's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,047
1 BR
$1,579
2 BR
$1,981
3 BR
$1,904
4 BR+
$1,779
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,981/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,952 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$23,424/yr
At $1,952/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.7% YoY, +0.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

West Melbourne, FL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 42% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
28,795
Median income
$92,986
Median age
39.4
Renters
27.1%
Age distribution
20.9%
24.5%
24.5%
18.9%
Under 1820.9%
18–3424.5%
35–5424.5%
55–6411.1%
65+18.9%
Gender
51.4%
48.6%
Male51.4%
Female48.6%
Race & ethnicity
71.7%
15.2%
White71.7%
Black4.1%
Hispanic15.2%
Asian6.1%
Other2.9%
Education (25+)
20.6%
32.5%
42%
No HS diploma4.8%
HS diploma20.6%
Some college32.5%
Bachelor's+42%
Housing tenure
72.9%
27.1%
Owner72.9%
Renter27.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How West Melbourne, FL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,453 → $1,952
up 34.3%
Income
$76,848 → $92,986
up 21.0%
Population
25,768 → 28,795
up 11.7%
Renter share
19% → 27.1%
+8.1 pts
Bachelor's+
39.8% → 42%
+2.2 pts
Median age
41.5 → 39.4
-2.1 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in West Melbourne, FL has climbed by $499 per month, settling near $1,952 after starting the period at $1,453. Household income in the area moved from $76,848 to $92,986 across the same window, up 21.0% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 13.3 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 25,768 to 28,795 between 2021 and 2024, a 11.7% change. About 27.1% of households rent today, against 19% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 39.8% to 42%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in West Melbourne, FL look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in West Melbourne on your salary?

At $1,952/mo, how West Melbourne rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

West Melbourne rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in West Melbourne

About renting in West Melbourne, FL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in West Melbourne is $1,952/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,047/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,981/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,579/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,904/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($92,986/yr), West Melbourne ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is West Melbourne an affordable city for renters?

West Melbourne is considered affordable for renters. At $1,952/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($92,986/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. West Melbourne falls comfortably within that range.

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

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $78,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,952/mo in West Melbourne. The local median household income is $92,986/yr, meaning the typical West Melbourne household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in West Melbourne?

Rent in West Melbourne has increased 0.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

West Melbourne is one of the more affordable cities in Florida for rent, ranking #202 out of 291 tracked cities at $1,952/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than West Melbourne ($1,952/mo): Melbourne ($1,849/mo), Palm Bay ($1,887/mo).

What percentage of West Melbourne residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 27.1% of West Melbourne households are renters, while 72.9% are owner-occupied. West Melbourne leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does West Melbourne rent compare to the national average?

West Melbourne's median rent of $1,952/mo is $10 (1%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Florida, it ranks #202 out of 291 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,952/mo, rent takes ~25% of West Melbourne's median household income ($92,986/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

West Melbourne 25%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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