Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 125,273 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 41.3 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 15.1% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 22.4% | 19.3% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 2.1% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 19.7% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $67,521 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $34,474 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.9% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 22.6% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.5% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.0% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.5% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
Arlington +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 29.6 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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