Tallahassee FL vs West Palm Beach FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tallahassee
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Tallahassee
8.0%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Tallahassee
8.6%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Tallahassee
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 119,508 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 40.2 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.0% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 50.7% | 44.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 35.7% | 31.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tallahassee
$55,931
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Tallahassee
$35,704
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tallahassee
$65,328
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Tallahassee
6.5%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Tallahassee
23.2%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,931 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,704 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.0% | 37.6% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Tallahassee
39.5%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,664 | $399,650 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.5% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
324
West Palm Beach
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
1453
West Palm Beach
1453
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
34.1%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tallahassee
20.3%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
16.7%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.1% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.9% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.0% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Tallahassee +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Tallahassee +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 75.4°F | Tallahassee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1 in | 62.3 in | Tallahassee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tallahassee
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | 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
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.0 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tallahassee. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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