City Comparison
Miramar 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
Miramar
Palm Bay
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Palm Bay is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Miramar.
Housing costs are a major driver: Miramar's average rent is
13% higher than Palm Bay's.
| Metric | Miramar | Palm Bay | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,250 | $2,000 | +13% |
| Groceries | $460 | $420 | +10% |
| Utilities | $195 | $175 | +11% |
| Transport | $130 | $125 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,275 | $2,960 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 100 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Miramar 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 Miramar is estimated at
$62,000 vs $58,000 in Palm Bay.
| Metric | Miramar | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $67,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,963 idx | 67,000 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $72,614 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.6°F of each other.
| Metric | Miramar | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.60°F | 74.00°F |
| Summer High | 89.80°F | 88.80°F |
| Winter Low | 62.10°F | 57.30°F |
| Rainfall | 57.30 in | 51.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 197 | 194 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Palm Bay has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Miramar.
| Metric | Miramar | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Palm Bay is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Miramar.
From a growth perspective, Palm Bay is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Miramar has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Miramar | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,000 | 148,092 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 3.58% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Miramar
Advantages
Strategic location between Miami and Fort Lauderdale with direct access to I-75 and the Florida Turnpike
Home to top-tier facilities like the 190-acre Miramar Regional Park and Miramar Cultural Center
Favorable safety profile with crime rates below national averages for similarly sized cities
Strong local economy anchored by corporate headquarters in aviation, healthcare, and technology
Zero state income tax in Florida, providing financial relief for residents and businesses
Drawbacks
High cost of homeowners and property insurance reflective of the broader South Florida region
High car dependency with limited public transit options outside of county bus routes
Increasing housing and rental costs driven by sustained regional population growth
Heavy traffic congestion on major east-west corridors during peak rush hours
Hot and humid summer climate can limit comfortable outdoor activity during midday hours
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.
Miramar
#255Florida, USA
62.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,250
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
197/yr
Avg Temp
76.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
77
Business
74
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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