Palm Bay FL vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palm Bay
125,273
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 59.2% | 58.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 12.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 19.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $435,532 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 42.4% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Worcester
14.5%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.9% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.5% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, 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 326 in Worcester. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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