Palm Bay FL vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 59.2% | 21.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 1.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Palm Bay +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $28,813 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 15.5% | Palm Bay + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $751,711 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 47.0% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.2% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 22.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salinas, 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
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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