Palm Bay FL vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 118,578 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 5.7% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 19.3% | 14.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 8.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $63,900 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 16.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 46.8% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Winston-Salem, 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%
Palm Bay +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 42.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.4% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Winston-Salem, 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
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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