Palm Bay FL vs Simi Valley 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%
Simi Valley, CA
California · Population: 125,769
- Median HH Income$117,703
- Median Home Price$839,862
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+37.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Simi Valley
125,769
Simi Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 125,769 | Simi Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 41.8 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 59.2% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 19.3% | 1.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Simi Valley
73.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $839,862 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 73.0% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Simi Valley, 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%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Simi Valley, CA | 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
Palm Bay +
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Simi Valley, 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 +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 31.0 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, 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 Simi Valley. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Palm Bay, FLLos Angeles, CA vs Palm Bay, FLChicago, IL vs Palm Bay, FLHouston, TX vs Palm Bay, FLPalm Bay, FL vs Phoenix, AZPalm Bay, FL vs Philadelphia, PA