Is Merritt Island Safe, Pros and cons of living in Merritt Island
Merritt Island, Florida, offers a unique coastal lifestyle with proximity to major attractions like the Kennedy Space Center. This peninsula community provides a blend of natural beauty and convenient access to urban amenities, making it an appealing place for many seeking a new home. Understanding the nuances of its safety, cost of living, and community offerings is key for anyone considering a move to this vibrant area.
The following information provides a comprehensive overview of Merritt Island, covering essential aspects such as safety, economic factors, climate, education, and demographics. This detailed look aims to equip potential residents with the data needed to make an informed decision about life on Merritt Island.
Is it Safe to Live in Merritt Island?
Merritt Island’s crime rate is generally considered low, with a total crime rate of 10.88 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (according to CrimeGrade.org). The community ranks in the 94th percentile for safety, indicating it is safer than 94% of U.S. cities (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Residents often feel comfortable in local parks, beaches, and neighborhoods, contributing to a sense of security.
Violent crime in Merritt Island is also significantly lower than national and state averages. The chance of being a victim of violent crime is approximately 1 in 585 (according to NeighborhoodScout). Property crime rates are also manageable, with a rate of 9 per 1,000 population, making it an area where property crimes are above average compared to all U.S. communities of all sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
Cost of Living in Merritt Island
The cost of living in Merritt Island is slightly higher than the national average, with an index of 117, meaning it is 17% more expensive than the U.S. average (as reported by AreaVibes). However, it is noted as being 216% lower than Florida’s state average, suggesting significant regional cost variations (according to Salary.com). Housing costs are a primary driver of this higher-than-average cost, being 47% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).
Monthly expenses for a single person in Merritt Island are estimated at $2,418, and for a family of four, it is approximately $5,324 (as reported by Salary.com). These figures reflect soaring housing costs, elevated transportation expenses, and rising food prices as key contributors to the overall cost of living (according to Salary.com). Despite these factors, Florida’s lack of state income tax can offer some financial relief to residents (as noted by Salary.com).
Housing Costs
The median home price in Merritt Island has seen a notable increase. As of March 2026, the median sale price was $471,000, which is a 48.1% increase compared to the previous year (according to Redfin). Another report indicates the median home value in Merritt Island, FL, is $427,726, down 1.8% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). The homeownership rate in Merritt Island is 80%, which is higher than the national average (according to Data USA).
The median listing home price in Merritt Island is $415,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®). For renters, the median household income was $51,760 in 2022, with a rent-to-income ratio of 33.4% (according to Point2Homes). Average monthly rent prices are 6.2% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).
Income and Employment
The median household income in Merritt Island was $94,012 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). This represents a 3.3% increase from the previous year, with an average annual household income of $134,726 (according to Point2Homes). The unemployment rate in Merritt Island, FL, is currently 4.61%, which is lower than Florida’s overall unemployment rate of 4.7% as of March 2026 (as reported by FloridaJobs.org and BestNeighborhood.org).
Major employment sectors for Merritt Island residents include Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (as reported by Data USA). The most common job groups are in Management Occupations, Sales & Related Occupations, and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (according to Data USA). The average annual salary in Merritt Island is approximately $50,036, with most salaries ranging between $34,493 and $63,625 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter).
Climate in Merritt Island
Merritt Island experiences a humid subtropical climate, characterized by short, mild winters and hot, humid summers with frequent thunderstorms (as noted by Merritt Island, FL – Find Your Florida). The average annual rainfall is 53 inches, which is higher than the U.S. average of 38 inches per year (according to Merritt Island, FL – Find Your Florida). Precipitation occurs on an average of 115 days per year, with August being the wettest month.
Summers are long, hot, oppressive, and wet, typically running from May through September, with July and August being the hottest months with average high temperatures around 90°F (as reported by Merritt Island Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Florida, United States)). The cool season lasts from December to March, with average low temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (according to Merritt Island, FL – Find Your Florida). The area enjoys an average of 237 sunny days per year, which is higher than the U.S. average (as reported by Merritt Island, FL – Find Your Florida).
Education in Merritt Island
Merritt Island is served by Brevard Public Schools, which includes several highly-rated institutions. Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School is particularly recognized, ranking #6 in Florida and #57 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report (as reported by Florida Today). Merritt Island High School also received a national ranking (according to Florida Today).
Robert L. Stevenson Elementary School has also been recognized, ranking #2 in Brevard County and #14 in Florida in a previous report (as reported by Florida Today). Public schools in Merritt Island show strong performance, with an average math proficiency score of 64% and a reading proficiency score of 68%, both exceeding Florida’s state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Edgewood Jr/sr High School, in particular, achieves high proficiency rates in subjects like Algebra 1, Geometry, and Biology 1 (according to SchoolDigger.com).
Demographics of Merritt Island
Merritt Island has a population of approximately 34,992 residents (as reported by Data USA and Point2Homes). The median age in Merritt Island is 50.2 years (according to Merritt Island, FL Demographics: Population, Income, and More – Point2Homes). The racial composition is predominantly White, accounting for 82.7% of the population, followed by Hispanic at 6.6%, and Two or More Races at 4.3% (as reported by Merritt Island, FL Demographics | Current Florida Census Data).
The population is fairly evenly split between males and females, with 50.1% male and 49.9% female (according to Point2Homes). Approximately 98.1% of residents are U.S. citizens, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA). In terms of household composition, 68.3% of households are families, while 31.7% are individuals living alone or with non-relatives (according to Point2Homes).
Major Employers and Job Market
Merritt Island’s economy is influenced by its proximity to major aerospace and technology hubs. Key employers in the region include Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Patrick Space Force Base (as mentioned in a YouTube video discussing Merritt Island living). These industries provide a significant number of job opportunities for residents in various fields.
The most common employment sectors for those living in Merritt Island are Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (as reported by Data USA). Management Occupations, Sales & Related Occupations, and Office & Administrative Support Occupations are the most common job groups held by residents (according to Data USA). The average annual salary in Merritt Island is around $50,036, though specific salaries vary by occupation and experience (as reported by ZipRecruiter).
Recreation and Lifestyle
Merritt Island offers a variety of recreational opportunities, particularly for those who enjoy the outdoors and water activities. The area is known for its inshore fishing, with excellent opportunities for catching redfish, trout, and other species (as described by Merritt Island, FL – Find Your Florida). The surrounding waters also provide fishing for tarpon, kingfish, and Spanish mackerel along the beaches, with opportunities for offshore fishing for wahoo, mahi mahi, sailfish, and tuna (according to Merritt Island, FL – Find Your Florida).
The climate is conducive to outdoor activities for much of the year, with 237 sunny days annually (as reported by Merritt Island, FL – Find Your Florida). Residents can enjoy pleasant weather from November through April, making it an ideal time for exploring the island’s natural attractions. The proximity to the Atlantic Ocean also offers beach access and water sports.