The Space Coast
The coast around Cape Canaveral, where rocket launches are part of the view. Surf towns line the barrier island, and the mainland cities have some of the lowest prices near the Atlantic.
On average, strongest on peace and quiet, affordability and boating. Weakest on nightlife.
Average of the 13 town scorecards. How we score
Palm Bay
The biggest city on the Space Coast, with lots of land, newer homes and some of the lowest prices near the beach.
Melbourne Beach
One of the oldest beach towns on the Space Coast, a few quiet streets between the ocean and the Indian River.
West Melbourne
A fast growing inland city with newer neighborhoods and big box shopping, 20 minutes from the beach.
Melbourne
The Space Coast's main mainland city on the Indian River, with two walkable old downtowns, an arts district, its own airport and the beach 15 minutes away.
Indialantic
A small oceanside town with a boardwalk, a couple of surf shops and rocket launches you can watch from the sand.
Indian Harbour Beach
A small, settled beach town between Satellite Beach and Indialantic, with ocean access on one side, Banana River canals on the other and a big park in the middle.
Satellite Beach
A residential beach town between the ocean and the Banana River, with surf breaks, parks and front row launch views.
Cocoa Beach
A classic surf town where you can watch rocket launches from the sand.
Rockledge
A quiet river city just south of Cocoa, known for the oak shaded historic homes along Rockledge Drive and newer neighborhoods toward Viera.
Cocoa Village
The old brick downtown of Cocoa on the Indian River, with shady streets, pubs, a historic playhouse and a riverfront park that hosts concerts.
CompareMerritt Island
A big, leafy island between the Indian and Banana Rivers, full of canal homes and boat docks, with the space center and a huge wildlife refuge at its north end.
Cape Canaveral
A small, low key beach city at the north end of the barrier island, between the cruise port and Cocoa Beach, with a quiet beach and launch views from the jetty.
Titusville
The town across the river from the launch pads, with the best rocket views anywhere and a huge wildlife refuge next door.