Palm Bay FL vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 102,866 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 8.9% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 54.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 17.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $52,512 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $29,511 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,697 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 22.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 58.8% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 370 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1719 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 39.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.3% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 18.2% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. 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, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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