Palm Bay FL vs Pembroke Pines FL — 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%
Pembroke Pines, FL
Florida · Population: 170,557
- Median HH Income$81,675
- Median Home Price$488,550
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Pembroke Pines
170,557
Pembroke Pines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Pembroke Pines
43.7
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Pembroke Pines
39.5%
Pembroke Pines +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Pembroke Pines
43.9%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Pembroke Pines
21.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Pembroke Pines
5.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Pembroke Pines
47.8%
Pembroke Pines +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 170,557 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 43.7 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 39.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| White | 59.2% | 43.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 21.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 47.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Pembroke Pines
$81,675
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Pembroke Pines
$39,881
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Pembroke Pines
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Pembroke Pines
4.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Pembroke Pines
10.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Pembroke Pines
38.1%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $81,675 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $39,881 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 10.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 38.1% | Pembroke Pines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Pembroke Pines
$488,550
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Pembroke Pines
70.8%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $488,550 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 70.8% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Pembroke Pines
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Pembroke Pines
1453
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Pembroke Pines
29.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Pembroke Pines
13.4%
Pembroke Pines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Pembroke Pines
14.5%
Pembroke Pines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Pembroke Pines
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Pembroke Pines
14.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Pembroke Pines
9.7%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 29.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.4% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 9.7% | Pembroke Pines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | 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
Pembroke Pines
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Pembroke Pines
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
Pembroke Pines
33.2 min
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 33.2 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pembroke Pines leads in median household income at $81,675, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Pembroke Pines is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. Pembroke Pines has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Pembroke Pines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pembroke Pines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Palm Bay, FLLos Angeles, CA vs Palm Bay, FLChicago, IL vs Palm Bay, FLHouston, TX vs Palm Bay, FLPalm Bay, FL vs Phoenix, AZPalm Bay, FL vs Philadelphia, PA