Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 125,273 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 41.3 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 36.7% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 46.8% | 19.3% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.1% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Palm Bay
22.6%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 22.6% | Palm Bay + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $304,173 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Palm Bay
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.2% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 29.6 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. 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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