Palm Bay FL vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 59.2% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 19.3% | 2.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $60,713 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 13.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $580,126 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 46.8% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1931 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.2% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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