Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 125,273 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 41.3 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 27.4% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 60.0% | 19.3% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.1% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $34,474 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $65,328 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 22.6% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $304,173 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.2% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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