Palm Bay FL vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Portland
12.4%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 38.6 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 12.4% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 19.3% | 5.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 11.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,691 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 12.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $538,687 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 52.8% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 355 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3001 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.3% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 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
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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