Palm Bay FL vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 59.2% | 51.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Tampa
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 15.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $376,530 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 50.2% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Tampa
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Tampa
1453
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tampa, 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%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tampa, 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
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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