Palm Bay FL vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 98,677 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 7.5% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 57.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 8.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $52,671 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 51.7% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 41.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 16.7% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. Roanoke 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, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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