Palm Bay, FL vs Ruston, LA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Palm Bay
69.3
#1230 nationally
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 27.2 min). Ruston leads in walk score (25 vs 13). Palm Bay leads in median household income ($62,538 vs $32,877).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.3 (#1230) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 135,566 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $305,804 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $62,538 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 27.2 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 13 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 9.5 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+20.8 | R+25.4 |
D+
69.3 Score
Palm Bay, FL
Mid-size Florida city with community character
Median Home
$305,804
Population
135,566
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
13
Southeast
View Palm Bay, FL →
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →