Palm Bay vs Rochester: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Palm Bay, FL and Rochester, MN, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rochester, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,513 | 120,848 |
| Median household income | $62,538 | $83,973 |
| Median home value | $226,200 | $268,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,345 | $1,218 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Palm Bay, FL and Rochester, MN comes down to what you value most. Palm Bay has the lower median home value, and Rochester has the lower median rent.
Rochester has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Palm Bay or Rochester?
- By median home value, Palm Bay is the cheaper of the two ($226,200 vs $268,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Palm Bay or Rochester?
- Median household income is $62,538 in Palm Bay versus $83,973 in Rochester, per the US Census Bureau.