Palm Bay FL vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 41.5 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 59.2% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 19.3% | 6.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 2.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,052 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Sterling Heights
76.4%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $309,742 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 76.4% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 471 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1590 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.3% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 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
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, 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 471 in Sterling Heights. 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, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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