Palm Bay FL vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Waco
9.8%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 9.8% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 54.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $51,468 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $28,819 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 24.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 48.9% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 36.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.4% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 20.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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