Palm Bay FL vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 49.2 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 11.2% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 19.3% | 2.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 9.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Scottsdale
67.6%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $858,307 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 67.6% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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