Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 41.3 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 15.1% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 59.2% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.1% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Palm Bay
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $34,474 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 22.6% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Palm Bay
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Palm Bay
1453
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 36.5% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.0% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.6% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.5% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 29.6 min | Clearwater + |
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 324 in Clearwater. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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