New construction on the Space Coast can be one of the best purchases you ever make — or one of the most expensive mistakes. The difference comes down to a handful of decisions buyers get wrong before they ever set foot in a model home.

Mistake #1: …

Where should you live if you work at Kennedy Space Center?

The best Space Coast cities for a Kennedy Space Center commute are Titusville, Mims, Port St. John, Merritt Island, and Cocoa, with most KSC commutes from these Brevard County, Florida cities falling between 15 and 35 …

Where should you live if you work at Patrick Space Force Base?

The best Space Coast cities for a Patrick Space Force Base commute are Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic, and beachside Melbourne, all within roughly 5 to 15 minutes of the gate, with Viera, Suntree, …

How long does it take to drive to Port Canaveral from each Space Coast city?

Drive times to Port Canaveral from the Space Coast in Brevard County, Florida range from under 10 minutes from Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral to about 45 to 55 minutes from Palm …

How close is each Space Coast city to the beach?

Most Space Coast cities in Brevard County, Florida sit within 5 to 25 minutes of the Atlantic, with beachside towns like Cocoa Beach, Indialantic, and Satellite Beach right on the sand and mainland cities like Viera and …

Where is Florida not actually cheaper than where you came from?

Florida is more expensive than many states for homeowners insurance, sales tax, beachside property prices, auto registration fees, and layered community fee structures. Space Coast buyers should budget realistically for these line items.

The narrative …

What surprise costs do Northeast buyers face when moving to Florida?

The biggest surprises are homeowners insurance, property tax structure, HOA and community fees, and the cost of getting a new roof or hurricane upgrades. Space Coast buyers from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts should …

What does the monthly payment on a $500,000 home look like in California, New Jersey, and Florida?

The same $500K home costs roughly $3,400 a month on the Space Coast, $4,100 in California, and $4,800 in New Jersey, after factoring in property tax and insurance. Home …

How does state income tax compare between California, New Jersey, and Florida?

Florida has no state income tax, while California's top rate reaches 13.3% and New Jersey's top rate reaches 10.75%. For Space Coast buyers relocating from those states, that difference can be worth tens of thousands …

What does the same purchase price buy in California vs the Space Coast in 2026?

A $1 million California home is typically a 1,400 to 1,800 square foot mid-century ranch in a coastal metro, while $1 million on the Space Coast in Brevard County, Florida buys a …