The Palm Bay metro is home to 620,533 people (up 7.6% over five years), with a median household income of $75,817. Typical rent of $1,887/month works out to 29.9% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Palm Bay's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 20.8% |
| Professional & management | 14.3% |
| Manufacturing | 12.1% |
| Retail trade | 11.8% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 9.5% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 29.9% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Palm Bay market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,887/month suggests a household income around $75,000/year. The metro's median household income is $75,817.
By workforce share: Education & health care (20.8%), Professional & management (14.3%), Manufacturing (12.1%) (Census ACS 5-year).