Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 41.3 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 15.1% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 7.4% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 2.1% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $67,521 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $34,474 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 22.6% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 36.5% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.0% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 14.2% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.5% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. 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, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Berkeley, CA vs New York, NYBerkeley, CA vs Los Angeles, CABerkeley, CA vs Chicago, ILBerkeley, CA vs Houston, TXBerkeley, CA vs Phoenix, AZBerkeley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA