Palm Bay FL vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Salem
12.2%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 12.2% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 19.3% | 1.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,691 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 14.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $438,754 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 55.7% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 355 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3001 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 41.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 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
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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