Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Athens
57.6%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 125,273 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 41.3 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 57.6% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 26.2% | 19.3% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.1% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 22.6% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 29.6 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, 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 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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