Long Beach 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)
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
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
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 125,273 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 41.3 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 15.1% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 11.9% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 2.1% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 19.7% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $67,521 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $34,474 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 22.6% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Long Beach, 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
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 36.5% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.0% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.6% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.2% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.5% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, 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
Long Beach
32.6 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, 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 Long Beach. 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, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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