Palm Bay FL vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 9.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 19.3% | 18.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 8.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $427,121 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 64.9% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 36.5% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Palm Bay +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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