Palm Bay FL vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 8.3% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 41.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $46,628 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $30,451 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 26.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 37.2% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 434 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1736 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 38.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 16.6% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.3 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, NY | 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
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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%.
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