Cost of Living in Vero Beach, FL

Population 16,785 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

114
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Vero Beach sits on the smaller end of the Florida city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.9% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Vero Beach is about 25 miles north of Port St. Lucie, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 20% higher than Port St. Lucie's $328,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 129
Rent 91

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Vero Beach

The median home value in Vero Beach is $392,500 — 29% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,197/month, 9% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $67,351/year is 10% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.9%, below the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Vero Beach has a cost of living index of 114 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 14% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$392,500
29% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$359,799
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,197/mo
9% below avg
Zillow Rent
$2,070/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.3x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,085
1 BR
$1,181
2 BR
$1,427
3 BR
$1,797
4 BR
$2,099
Owner-occupied 64.4%
Renter-occupied 35.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,197
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,811/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
18.6 min
31% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.7%
Carpooled
11.4%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
1.4%
Bicycle
2.2%
Work from home
11.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 1.1%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$67,351
10% below avg
Per Capita Income
$56,229
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
40% below avg
Poverty Rate
14.4%
Labor Force Participation
56.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.8%
Graduate degree 17.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 52.6
Male median age 51.4
Female median age 54

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 34 — Good
97.8%
Good air days/yr
74
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
358
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

93%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
29
Public schools
17,871
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Vero Beach, FL?

Vero Beach has a cost index of 114 (100 = national average). It is 14% above the national average.

What is average rent in Vero Beach, FL?

The median gross rent in Vero Beach is $1,197 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Vero Beach?

The median home value in Vero Beach is $392,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Vero Beach?

The median household income in Vero Beach is $67,351 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Vero Beach, FL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Vero Beach is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.

Is Vero Beach, FL affordable?

Vero Beach is above average in cost of living, with an index of 114 — about 14% higher than the national average.