Denton TX 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)
Denton, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$354,100
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Denton
1,299,553
Denton +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denton
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Denton
33.4
Denton +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Denton
23.4%
Denton +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Denton
41.9%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Denton
23.7%
Denton +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Denton
3.7%
Denton +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Denton
41.9%
Denton +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Denton
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 125,273 | Denton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 41.3 | Denton + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 15.1% | Denton + |
| White | 41.9% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 23.7% | 19.3% | Denton + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.1% | Denton + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 19.7% | Denton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denton
$67,760
Denton +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Denton
$44,138
Denton +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denton
$63,758
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Denton
4.9%
Denton +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Denton
17.2%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denton
37.4%
Denton +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $67,521 | Denton + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $34,474 | Denton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Denton + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 22.6% | Denton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denton
$354,100
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Denton
42.4%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $354,100 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
442
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
2339
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
35.5%
Denton +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
9.5%
Denton +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denton
19.4%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denton
14.9%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denton
18.3%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denton
11.2%
Denton +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 36.5% | Denton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.0% | Denton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.5% | Denton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
64.8°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
38.1 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denton
9.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denton
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denton
28.3 min
Denton +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Denton, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 29.6 min | Denton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denton leads in median household income at $67,760, 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 442 in Denton. Denton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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