Moving from El Monte, CA to West Palm Beach, FL
It is 2649 mi and 46h 30m from El Monte to West Palm Beach β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2649 mi Β· 46h 30m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Port St Lucie, Palm Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Monte | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
El Monte and West Palm Beach sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $765,444 in El Monte to $399,471 in West Palm Beach, a 0.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: El Monte +0.8%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | El Monte | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.7" | 61.7" |
Expect 9.8Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Monte | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $64,484 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.62 | 2.37 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.5% higher in West Palm Beach than El Monte.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Palm Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in West Palm Beach average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: West Palm Beach averages 61.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than El Monte?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 0.5% higher than El Monte (114.155 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from El Monte to West Palm Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2649 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from El Monte, CA?
The driving distance is 2649 mi and the route typically takes 46h 30m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to El Monte?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $50,490 in the El Monte MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to El Monte?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $765,444 in El Monte β a 47.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in El Monte vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $64,484 in El Monte β a 7.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Monte.
City profiles: El Monte, CA Β· West Palm Beach, FL.