Palm Bay is ranked No. 9 nationally for neighborhood safety and upkeep, according to the Neighbors Bank 'Good Neighbor Effect' report. The city scored 81 out of 100, the highest among Florida's three top-ranked metro areas. Tampa and Cape Coral followed at No. 16 and No. 17, each earning 79 points. The report analyzed data from the FBI, EPA, Census Bureau, and Zillow to assess factors like safety, cleanliness, access to healthcare, and housing values. Safety was the strongest category for all three Florida cities, with Cape Coral and Palm Bay having two of the lowest principal-city crime rates in the study.
The survey of 1,000 U.S. adults found that 56% prioritize respecting boundaries and privacy as the most important neighbor quality. Nearly two-thirds of respondents prefer neighbors who are friendly but keep some distance. The report also noted that 66% of Americans have at least one neighbor they could rely on during an emergency, though renters were almost twice as likely as homeowners to say they lack such contacts. In Palm Bay, residents may be benefiting from the city's low crime rates and strong community connections.
Madison, Wisconsin, topped the overall rankings, followed by Allentown and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The study found that 36% of respondents cited long-term happiness at home as their top priority, though specific factors weren't detailed. More than half of those surveyed said they would pay a premium to live in a more connected community. In Brevard County, the results highlight Palm Bay's standing as a safe and well-maintained place to live, though the report didn't break down local data beyond the metro area level.
Neighbors Bank's analysis compared the 100 largest U.S. metro areas, using metrics like walkability, parks, and housing value. The report's authors emphasized that safety was the strongest category for Florida's top three cities. Local officials in Palm Bay have not publicly commented on the rankings, but the findings align with the city's longstanding focus on community policing and neighborhood watch programs. The study also revealed that 23% of Americans would pay 5-10% more for a home with great neighbors, a factor that could influence housing trends in the region.