Palm Bay FL vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 14.6% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 36.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 15.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $60,698 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,080 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 22.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 52.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1613 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 34.5 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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