Palm Bay FL vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Springfield
40.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 113,714 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 40.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 4.5% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.3% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 3.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $65,537 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 16.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Springfield
63.4%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 63.4% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Springfield
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 41.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.7% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 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
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. 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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