CostIndexUSA

Bowling Green, KY vs Palm Bay, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableKY
Bowling Green
90.2
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
FL
Palm Bay
100
overall index
$1,875/mo rent

Bowling Green is moderately cheaper than Palm Bay — 10.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bowling Green, you would need $88,700 in Palm Bay. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+76.2%
Bowling Green
63.4
Palm Bay
111.7
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bowling Green
96.2
Palm Bay
96.2
🚗 Transportation+2.1%
Bowling Green
101.7
Palm Bay
103.8
🏥 Healthcare+2.1%
Bowling Green
92
Palm Bay
93.9
Utilities+17.2%
Bowling Green
75.2
Palm Bay
88.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Bowling Green to see what you'd need to earn in Palm Bay to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Palm Bay, FL
$88,700
$8,700 more needed in Palm Bay

Formula: salary × (100 ÷ 90.2) = salary × 1.1086. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bowling Green, KY

Median Home Price
$259,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
63.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Palm Bay, FL

Median Home Price
$336,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
111.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9×

Palm Bay has 76.2% higher housing costs compared to Bowling Green.

Income & Job Market

Bowling Green, KY

Median Household Income
$60,600
Per Capita Income
$34,500
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
72,294
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationRetailAutomotive

Palm Bay, FL

Median Household Income
$78,600
Per Capita Income
$44,800
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
119,760
Top Industries
AerospaceHealthcareTechnologyManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Bowling Green, KY
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Palm Bay, FL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.