Miami Gardens FL 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)
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
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
Miami Gardens
11,627
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Miami Gardens +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 41.3 | Miami Gardens + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 15.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 15.3% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 19.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Palm Bay
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Palm Bay
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $67,521 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $34,474 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 11.6% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 22.6% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Palm Bay
79.3%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 79.3% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Palm Bay
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Palm Bay
1453
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 36.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.6% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.4% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | 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.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 29.6 min | Miami Gardens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, 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 324 in Miami Gardens. 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, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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