Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Houston
35.5%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 125,273 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 41.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 15.1% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 22.9% | 19.3% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.1% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $34,474 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 22.6% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $304,173 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.0% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.6% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.5% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 29.6 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TX