City Comparison

Fort Myers vs Yuma

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Myers

Florida
104
Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,575/mo
Median Rent
$52,200
Median Income

Yuma

Arizona
92
Below Average
$284,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$54,100
Median Income

The Verdict

13.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.0%, with Yuma being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Myers has equivalent purchasing power to $66,346 in Yuma.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
112
Fort Myers
82
Yuma
Groceries
104
Fort Myers
101
Yuma
Utilities
101
Fort Myers
102
Yuma
Transportation
103
Fort Myers
97
Yuma
Healthcare
108
Fort Myers
87
Yuma

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Myers has the same purchasing power as $66,346 in Yuma.

Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $84,783 in Fort Myers.

Living in Fort Myers vs Yuma

Housing Costs

Fort Myers's housing index of 112 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $284,000. The $56,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,636 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,575/mo in Fort Myers compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Fort Myers and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Fort Myers vs $480/month in Yuma. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 101 in Fort Myers and 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Fort Myers vs $408 in Yuma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 108 in Fort Myers and 87 in Yuma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,200 in Fort Myers and $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,192 and $58,804 respectively. Yuma residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,218/month to housing in Fort Myers vs $1,262/month in Yuma. In Fort Myers, median rent of $1,575/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yuma is 13.0% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Myers has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,346 in Yuma, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Myers's housing index is 112 with median homes at $340,000, while Yuma's is 82 with median homes at $284,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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