Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 125,273 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.3 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 11.7% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 76.8% | 19.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Palm Bay
22.6%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 22.6% | Palm Bay + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $304,173 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.2% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.4% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 29.6 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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