Palm Bay FL vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 94,723 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 10.3% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 19.3% | 0.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 11.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $60,713 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Sandy
75.9%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $672,082 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 75.9% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1931 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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