Panama City-Panama City Beach vs Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin
Which is the better fit for you?
Panama City-Panama City Beach and Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | Panama City-Panama City Beach | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,922 | 299,547 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $71,514 | $81,993 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $39,174 | $46,655 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 158/sq mi | 152/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $294,300 | $364,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,456 | $1,633 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 68.2% | 71.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.4% | -1.3% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.4% | 34.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.5% | 10.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 2,126 | 3,484 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 10.0 | 11.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -12.9% | -1.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 91°F | 91°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 45°F | 45°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 11 mi | 16 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 26.9 min | 28.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 41.1 | 39.3 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Panama City-Panama City Beach
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL Metro Area · Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology