Palm Bay FL vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 41.6 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 6.8% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 19.3% | 4.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 19.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Surprise
79.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $422,520 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 79.0% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 32.8 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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