Palm Bay, Florida, known as "The Bass Fishing Capital of the World," is a vibrant and growing city located on Florida's Space Coast. With its beautiful natural surroundings, strong economy, and family-friendly atmosphere, Palm Bay offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of suburban charm and modern amenities makes living in Palm Bay an attractive option for families and professionals.
Residents of Palm Bay enjoy a variety of recreational activities and community events. The city's numerous parks, trails, and recreational facilities provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Turkey Creek Sanctuary and Palm Bay Regional Park are popular destinations for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. The city also hosts numerous festivals and events, including the annual Palm Bay Holiday Parade and the Palm Bay Fair.
Palm Bay's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including aerospace, healthcare, and technology. The city's proximity to major employers such as Harris Corporation and Health First provides residents with ample job opportunities. The presence of these institutions contributes to Palm Bay's vibrant economic and cultural environment.
The cost of living in Palm Bay is relatively affordable compared to other parts of Florida, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market includes a variety of options, from single-family homes in suburban neighborhoods to modern apartments and condos. The city's strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere further enhance its appeal.
Public transportation in Palm Bay is provided by Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT), facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Palm Bay's climate features hot, humid summers and mild winters, allowing for year-round outdoor activities. Overall, Palm Bay offers a blend of natural beauty, economic opportunity, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Amenities
The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.
Health & Safety
The low score in this category could be due to challenges related to air quality and the limited accessibility of health-related facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and pharmacies.
Palm Bay is a medium-sized city located in the state of Florida. The city has a population of 116,937 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (69% White). Given that fact, Palm Bay could be considered less diverse than other cities. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Palm Bay, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 28 minutes.
Are you trying to decide if living in Palm Bay is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating to any new city in Florida, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Palm Bay and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, cost of living, commute, education, housing and other important metrics.
With a livability score of 71 out of 100, Palm Bay is ranked #6,086 in the United States and #380 in Florida. If we consider each of the categories on their own, we see that Palm Bay ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Palm Bay does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Palm Bay market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Palm Bay. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Palm Bay are affordable. The median home price for Palm Bay homes is $314,273, which is 4.9% higher than the Florida average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Palm Bay, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4, which is 4.8% lower than the Florida average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Palm Bay | Florida | National |
| Average one way commute | 28min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 84.2% | 79.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.8% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.3% | 2.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.8% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.3% | 1.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.5% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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