Palm Bay FL vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 59.2% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 19.3% | 3.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $62,696 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 12.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $570,934 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 49.4% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 460 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2417 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.5% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 18.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Reno
8.3 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Palm Bay, FLLos Angeles, CA vs Palm Bay, FLChicago, IL vs Palm Bay, FLHouston, TX vs Palm Bay, FLPalm Bay, FL vs Phoenix, AZPalm Bay, FL vs Philadelphia, PA