Palm Bay FL vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 10.7% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 48.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 17.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $57,673 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 17.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $419,326 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 54.6% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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