Palm Bay FL vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 59.2% | 36.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 12.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $480,548 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 51.5% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.9% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Sacramento
18.5 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 503 in Sacramento. 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, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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