New York NY vs West Palm Beach FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New York
8,516,202
New York +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
New York +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
West Palm Beach
27.2%
White
New York
35.9%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
New York
22.7%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 119,508 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 40.2 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 27.2% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 22.7% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 2.5% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 24.6% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
West Palm Beach
$44,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | New York, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $69,261 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $44,508 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 37.6% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | New York, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | New York, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
New York +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | New York, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 29.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.7% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.9% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.0% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
New York +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
New York +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | New York, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 75.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 62.3 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | New York, NY | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
Compare More Cities
Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs New York, NYNew York, NY vs Phoenix, AZNew York, NY vs Philadelphia, PANew York, NY vs San Antonio, TX