Palm Bay FL vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 13.7% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 58.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 5.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $54,546 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $31,152 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 18.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $324,946 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 51.7% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.3% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, 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 Tucson. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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