Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 125,273 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 41.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 49.9% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 39.5% | 19.3% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $34,474 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 22.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $304,173 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 36.5% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.0% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.5% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 29.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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