Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Newark
16.5%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 125,273 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 41.3 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 15.1% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 46.7% | 19.3% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 19.7% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Palm Bay
22.6%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $65,328 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 22.6% | Palm Bay + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Palm Bay
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Palm Bay
1453
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 324 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1453 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.5% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.4% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. 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, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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