Palm Bay FL vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Westland
38.2
Westland +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Westland
9.2%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 84,155 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 38.2 | Westland + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 9.2% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 19.3% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 5.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Westland
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Palm Bay +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $62,216 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $33,816 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,052 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 13.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 21.7% | Palm Bay + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Westland
61.1%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 61.1% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Westland
1590
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 471 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1590 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.0% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 16.6% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Westland, MI | 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 +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 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
Westland
27.0 min
Westland +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.0 min | Westland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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