Palm Bay FL vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 59.2% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 19.3% | 6.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 8.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $871,599 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 44.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 383 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3409 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 19.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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