Palm Bay FL vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 9.3% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 19.3% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 4.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $64,137 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,080 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 19.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 47.2% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1613 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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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