Palm Bay FL vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 102,558 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 7.2% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 19.3% | 12.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Wichita Falls
25.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $58,568 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $31,987 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 17.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 25.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 57.0% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wichita Falls, 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%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.9% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 28.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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