Abilene TX vs Palm Bay FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 125,273 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 41.3 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 66.6% | 59.2% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.1% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 19.7% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Abilene +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.9% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 22.6% | Abilene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $304,173 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 36.5% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.0% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.5% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 29.6 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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