CityCompare

Palm Bay FL vs West Palm Beach 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%

West Palm Beach, FL

Florida · Population: 119,508

  • Median HH Income$69,261
  • Median Home Price$399,650
  • Unemployment5.4%
  • Bachelor's+37.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
West Palm Beach
40.2
West Palm Beach +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
West Palm Beach
50.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
West Palm Beach
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
West Palm Beach
1453
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +

Which City is Right for You?

West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.

Compare More Cities

New York, NY vs Palm Bay, FLLos Angeles, CA vs Palm Bay, FLChicago, IL vs Palm Bay, FLHouston, TX vs Palm Bay, FLPalm Bay, FL vs Phoenix, AZPalm Bay, FL vs Philadelphia, PA

About Palm Bay & West Palm Beach

View Palm Bay FL Profile →View West Palm Beach FL Profile →