Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Flint
34.4%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 41.3 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 34.4% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 56.6% | 19.3% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Palm Bay
22.6%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 22.6% | Palm Bay + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $304,173 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
50.5%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.2% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.4% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 29.6 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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