Palm Bay FL vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 91,535 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 42.9 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 59.2% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 19.3% | 4.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 16.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $865,610 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 28.8% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.7% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 20.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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