Palm Bay FL vs Pasadena CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 67,231 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 42.5 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 59.2% | 48.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 2.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 7.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $1,215,642 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 54.2% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Pasadena
21.2 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 21.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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