Palm Bay FL vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 109,735 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 42.5 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 59.2% | 40.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 7.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 12.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $449,058 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Palm Bay +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 31.6 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, 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 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land 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, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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