Palm Bay FL vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 12.2% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 19.3% | 10.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 13.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 12.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $496,966 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 56.5% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 383 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3409 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 37.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.7% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 31.1 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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