Palm Bay FL vs Pompano Beach 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%
Pompano Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 112,212
- Median HH Income$63,832
- Median Home Price$353,345
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+31.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pompano Beach
112,212
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Pompano Beach
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Pompano Beach
41.7
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Pompano Beach
32.3%
Pompano Beach +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Pompano Beach
48.0%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Pompano Beach
28.3%
Pompano Beach +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Pompano Beach
1.9%
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Pompano Beach
24.9%
Pompano Beach +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Pompano Beach
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 112,212 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 41.7 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 32.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| White | 59.2% | 48.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 28.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 24.9% | Pompano Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Pompano Beach
$63,832
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Pompano Beach
$39,377
Pompano Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Pompano Beach
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Pompano Beach
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Pompano Beach
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Pompano Beach
31.1%
Pompano Beach +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $63,832 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $39,377 | Pompano Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 15.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 31.1% | Pompano Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Pompano Beach
$353,345
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Pompano Beach
53.6%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $353,345 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 53.6% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Pompano Beach
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Pompano Beach
1453
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pompano Beach, 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%
Pompano Beach
31.3%
Pompano Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Pompano Beach
13.9%
Pompano Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Pompano Beach
17.2%
Pompano Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Pompano Beach
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Pompano Beach
13.7%
Pompano Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Pompano Beach
14.4%
Pompano Beach +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 31.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.9% | Pompano Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.2% | Pompano Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.7% | Pompano Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.4% | Pompano Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Pompano Beach
75.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Pompano Beach
60.0 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Pompano Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Pompano Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pompano Beach, 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 +
Pompano Beach
29.9 min
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 29.9 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Pompano Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pompano Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pompano Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.3%.
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