Cost of Living in Palm Bay, FL
Updated November 2026 · Brevard County · Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL metro area · population 130,132
Prices in Palm Bay are 0.5% above the US average (local index 100.5; the BEA index for the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL metro area is 100.0), with local housing the biggest cost driver at 113.0; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,787 a month and the median rent is $1,601.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Palm Bay's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL metro area, unchanged.
Palm Bay price index by category, US average = 100: All items 100.5, Housing (rents) 113.0, Goods 96.2, Utilities 88.1, Other services 98.9
It is the 66th most expensive of the 81 Florida cities in our data. Cheaper than 58% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 96.6 | 96.8 | 98.9 | 99.4 | 101.3 | 100.0 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Palm Bay, FL
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,132 | $13,584 | 41% |
| Utilities | $255 | $3,060 | 9% |
| Food at home | $271 | $3,252 | 10% |
| Transportation | $619 | $7,428 | 22% |
| Health care | $348 | $4,176 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $162 | $1,944 | 6% |
| Total | $2,787 | $33,444 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Palm Bay, FL
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,333 | $15,996 | 30% |
| Utilities | $403 | $4,836 | 9% |
| Food at home | $501 | $6,012 | 11% |
| Transportation | $1,226 | $14,712 | 28% |
| Health care | $644 | $7,728 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $319 | $3,828 | 7% |
| Total | $4,426 | $53,112 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Palm Bay, FL
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,577 | $18,924 | 29% |
| Utilities | $491 | $5,892 | 9% |
| Food at home | $715 | $8,580 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,627 | $19,524 | 30% |
| Health care | $600 | $7,200 | 11% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $411 | $4,932 | 8% |
| Total | $5,421 | $65,052 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Palm Bay
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,269 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,269 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,495 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,768 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,150 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,601 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $1,428 |
| Median home value | $283,200 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,549/mo |
| Median household income | $72,614 |
| Rent as % of renter income Very expensive | 37.6% |
| Home value ÷ household income Affordable | 3.9× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Florida
14.99¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: −2.2% (from 15.33¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,097 kWh a month in Florida ≈ $169/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline
$3.79 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +30.3% (from $2.91) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Palm Bay are 0.5% above the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $59,700 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 100.5. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne, FL | 11 mi | 99.5 | $2,820 | $1,525 |
| Vero Beach, FL | 27 mi | 95.0 | $2,655 | $1,221 |
| St. Cloud, FL | 42 mi | 101.0 | $2,521 | $1,683 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 50 mi | 103.4 | $3,048 | $1,937 |
| Alafaya, FL | 51 mi | 105.0 | $3,218 | $1,999 |
| Poinciana, FL | 51 mi | 104.6 | $3,128 | $1,965 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murray, UT | 100.5 | $2,859 | $1,500 |
| Rio Rancho, NM | 100.5 | $2,560 | $1,514 |
| Madera, CA | 100.5 | $2,611 | $1,353 |
| West Valley City, UT | 100.6 | $2,733 | $1,504 |
| Sterling Heights, MI | 100.6 | $2,672 | $1,292 |
| Bethlehem, PA | 100.4 | $2,703 | $1,382 |
Compare Palm Bay with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Palm Bay, FL an expensive place to live?
Palm Bay has a local cost of living index of 100.5, which is 0.5% above the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL metro area (100.0) and adjusts housing to Palm Bay's own rents. It is 2.9 points below the Florida average. It is the 66th most expensive of the 81 Florida cities in our data. Cheaper than 58% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Palm Bay?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,787 for a single adult, $4,426 for a couple and $5,421 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $60,300 in Palm Bay.
What is the average rent in Palm Bay?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,601 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $1,269, 2 bedrooms $1,495, 3 bedrooms $1,768. The typical renter spends 37.6% of household income on rent (very expensive).
How much does a house cost in Palm Bay?
The median owner-estimated home value is $283,200, 3.9 times the median household income of $72,614 (affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,549 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Palm Bay?
Florida residential electricity averaged 14.99¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $3.79 a gallon (Florida average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 100.0) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 1254000 (Palm Bay city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Florida residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Florida, week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources