Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 125,273 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 41.3 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 15.1% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 59.2% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 2.1% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 19.7% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $67,521 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $34,474 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 22.6% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.5% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 14.0% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.6% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.5% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 29.6 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Austin, TX vs New York, NYAustin, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAustin, TX vs Chicago, ILAustin, TX vs Houston, TXAustin, TX vs Phoenix, AZAustin, TX vs Philadelphia, PA