Miramar 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)

Miramar, FL

Florida · Population: 81,319

  • Median HH Income$67,014
  • Median Home Price$518,584
  • Unemployment3.9%
  • Bachelor's+51.2%

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
Miramar
81,319
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miramar
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Miramar
42.4
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Foreign Born
Miramar
55.7%
Miramar +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Miramar
56.1%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Miramar
4.4%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Miramar
2.3%
Miramar +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Miramar
55.8%
Miramar +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Miramar
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Miramar
$67,014
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Miramar
$72,301
Miramar +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miramar
$65,328
Palm Bay
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Miramar
3.9%
Miramar +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Miramar
14.4%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miramar
51.2%
Miramar +
Palm Bay
22.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miramar
$518,584
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Miramar
38.7%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miramar
324
Palm Bay
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miramar
1453
Palm Bay
1453
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miramar
30.9%
Miramar +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miramar
12.2%
Miramar +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miramar
15.9%
Miramar +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miramar
17.0%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miramar
14.4%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miramar
10.6%
Miramar +
Palm Bay
14.5%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miramar
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miramar
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miramar
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miramar
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miramar
29.2 min
Miramar +
Palm Bay
29.6 min

Which City is Right for You?

Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, 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 Miramar. Miramar has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miramar scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Miramar & Palm Bay