Palm Bay FL vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 8.0% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 50.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 8.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $55,931 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 23.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 39.5% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Tallahassee
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Tallahassee
1453
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.3% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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