Palm Bay FL vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 26,509 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 38.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 7.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 19.3% | 3.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 3.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $344,633 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1992 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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