Grand Prairie 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)
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 125,273 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 41.3 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 15.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 24.6% | 19.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 2.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 19.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $67,521 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 22.6% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, 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
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.5% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, 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
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, 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 Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Prairie, TX vs New York, NYGrand Prairie, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Prairie, TXGrand Prairie, TX vs Houston, TXGrand Prairie, TX vs Phoenix, AZGrand Prairie, TX vs Philadelphia, PA