City Comparison
Palm Bay vs Tampa
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Palm Bay scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Palm Bay
Tampa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Palm Bay is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Tampa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Palm Bay's average rent is
11% higher than Tampa's.
| Metric | Palm Bay | Tampa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,000 | $1,800 | +11% |
| Groceries | $420 | $552 | -24% |
| Utilities | $175 | $294 | -40% |
| Transport | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,960 | $3,016 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 100 | 100 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Palm Bay offers 3% 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 Palm Bay is estimated at
$58,000 vs $70,000 in Tampa.
| Metric | Palm Bay | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,000 idx | 65,000 idx |
| Household Income | $72,614 | $84,114 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Palm Bay runs warmer on average — a 74°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Palm Bay comes out ahead with 194 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Palm Bay sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Palm Bay | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 74.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 57.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 51.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 194 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tampa has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Palm Bay.
Palm Bay scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tampa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Palm Bay | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 31.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tampa is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Palm Bay.
From a growth perspective, Palm Bay is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Palm Bay | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,092 | 419,635 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.58% | 1.47% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Tampa
Advantages
Tampa's job market is experiencing significant growth, particularly in education, health services, and financial activities.
The city has seen a substantial reduction in total crime (14.8%) and violent crime (8.4%) in 2024.
The median household income in Tampa increased by over 15% between 2023 and 2024.
Tampa offers a high quality of life with abundant outdoor activities and a vibrant cultural scene.
Healthcare costs in Tampa are generally lower than the Florida state average.
Drawbacks
The violent crime rate in Tampa (444.6 per 100,000) was higher than the national average in 2024.
Housing costs, particularly median home values, have seen a significant increase, making homeownership less accessible for some.
Tampa's population growth rate has slowed in 2024 compared to previous years, with fewer new residents moving to the city.
The city's overall walkability score is moderate, indicating a reliance on cars for many errands.
The unemployment rate in Tampa (4.8% in April 2026) is slightly above the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Tampa
#517Florida, USA
51.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
100
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
31.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.47%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
70
Business
75
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