CityCompare

Palm Bay FL vs Port St. Lucie 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%

Port St. Lucie, FL

Florida · Population: 220,453

  • Median HH Income$78,137
  • Median Home Price$327,700
  • Unemployment5.5%
  • Bachelor's+26.8%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Port St. Lucie +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Port St. Lucie
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Port St. Lucie
1453
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Port St. Lucie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.

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About Palm Bay & Port St. Lucie

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