Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Palm Bay, FL
Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Palm Bay, FL covers 144 mi and about 2h 53m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
144 mi Β· 2h 53m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, SR 845, CR 514 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Palm Bay are 12.4% below Fort Lauderdale β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Palm Bay typical home at $302,461 is 12.4% under Fort Lauderdale at $508,474 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 60Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 55.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 76.9Β°F vs 72.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.82 |
Median household income in Palm Bay is 12.4% below Fort Lauderdale ($79,935 β $67,521, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palm Bay MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 28,820 | $39,710 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,880 | $28,940 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,200 | $33,940 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 16,730 | $79,650 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 15,660 | $73,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palm Bay average 91Β°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: Palm Bay averages 55.6 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale β a 15.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Palm Bay?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 144 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 144 mi and the route typically takes 2h 53m via I 95 and SR 845. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 12.4% lower than Fort Lauderdale (100.005 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale β a 40.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL Β· Palm Bay, FL.