Palm Bay FL vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Paterson
N/A
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 59.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 19.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $527,542 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 37.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 28.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 16.4% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Paterson, NJ | 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.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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