High Point NC 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)
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
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
High Point
115,263
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
High Point +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
High Point
46.1%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 41.3 | High Point + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 46.1% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 32.7% | 19.3% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.1% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $34,474 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.9% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 22.6% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $304,173 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.0% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.6% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.4% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.5% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 29.6 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
High Point, NC vs New York, NYHigh Point, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs High Point, NCHigh Point, NC vs Houston, TXHigh Point, NC vs Phoenix, AZHigh Point, NC vs Philadelphia, PA