City Comparison
Hollywood vs Palm Bay
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Palm Bay scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hollywood
Palm Bay
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Palm Bay is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Hollywood.
| Metric | Hollywood | Palm Bay | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $2,000 | +5% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $125 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,040 | $2,960 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 100 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hollywood offers 1% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Palm Bay delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hollywood is estimated at
$62,000 vs $58,000 in Palm Bay.
| Metric | Hollywood | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $67,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,714 idx | 67,000 idx |
| Household Income | $69,500 | $72,614 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.7°F of each other.
| Metric | Hollywood | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.70°F | 74.00°F |
| Summer High | 88.40°F | 88.80°F |
| Winter Low | 64.10°F | 57.30°F |
| Rainfall | 53.50 in | 51.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 190 | 194 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Hollywood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hollywood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hollywood | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 59.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hollywood is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Palm Bay is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hollywood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hollywood | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,067 | 148,092 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 3.58% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hollywood
Advantages
Over 7 miles of pristine Atlantic coastline featuring the world-famous, pedestrian-only Hollywood Beach Broadwalk
Strategic South Florida location situated between Fort Lauderdale and Miami with easy airport access
Vibrant downtown arts and culture scene anchored by the ArtsPark at Young Circle and historic architecture
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by the nationally recognized Memorial Healthcare System
Diverse recreational opportunities including golf courses, parks, and year-round outdoor water sports
Drawbacks
High cost of housing and rental rates driven by intense South Florida real estate demand
Vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane season
Heavy vehicular traffic congestion along major regional corridors during peak tourism months
Higher-than-average property and homeowner insurance costs across the region
Summer climate characterized by high humidity and frequent afternoon rain showers
Palm Bay
Advantages
Median home values remain accessible at approximately $283,200, offering competitive value compared to other Florida coastal markets.
Proximity to high-tech and aerospace giants like L3Harris and Raytheon provides robust local career paths.
Abundant natural recreation areas, including Turkey Creek Sanctuary and access to the Indian River Lagoon.
Strategic infrastructure enhancements like the St. Johns Heritage Parkway improve local transit connectivity.
Favorable subtropical climate with roughly 194 sunny days per year and mild winter averages.
Drawbacks
High population growth rate has placed upward pressure on local rental and housing inventories.
Car dependency is high, with limited public mass transit options across the sprawling 86-square-mile city footprint.
Summer heat and humidity can be intense, accompanied by high seasonal rainfall during tropical storm months.
Traffic congestion concentrates heavily during peak hours along major arteries like Palm Bay Road and Malabar Road.
Pockets of the city experience vulnerability to localized heavy rainfall and temporary urban flooding.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hollywood
#469Florida, USA
54.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
59.0/100
Sunny Days
190/yr
Avg Temp
76.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
78
Business
72
Palm Bay
#196Florida, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,000
Avg Salary
$67,000
Cost Index
100
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
194/yr
Avg Temp
74.00°F
Pop. Growth
3.58%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
74
Business
72
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