Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 125,273 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 41.3 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 15.1% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 6.7% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 2.1% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 19.7% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Fresno +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 22.6% | Fresno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.0% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.4% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.5% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 29.6 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, 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 503 in Fresno. 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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