Palm Bay FL vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Roswell
40.0
Roswell +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Roswell
16.8%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 92,577 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 40.0 | Roswell + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 59.2% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 19.3% | 11.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 16.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,405 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Roswell
71.2%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $662,209 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 71.2% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Roswell
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Roswell
1752
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 392 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1752 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 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
Roswell
29.6 min
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 29.6 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, 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 392 in Roswell. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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