Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 125,273 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 41.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 25.0% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 62.9% | 19.3% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 22.6% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $304,173 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.4% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 29.6 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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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