Palm Bay FL vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
San Francisco
39.7
San Francisco +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 39.7 | San Francisco + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 59.2% | 40.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 5.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 15.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $1,369,171 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 38.5% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 19.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | San Francisco, 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
Palm Bay +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 33.9 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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