Palm Bay FL vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 59.2% | 53.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 7.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 14.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $411,323 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 57.1% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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