Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to West Palm Beach, FL
Cross-country relocations like Huntington Beach, CA β West Palm Beach, FL cover 2660 mi and about 46h 45m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2660 mi Β· 46h 45m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance, Downey, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntington Beach | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Huntington Beach (113.566) and West Palm Beach (114.155) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in West Palm Beach: 0.5% below Huntington Beach on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Huntington Beach +2.8%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntington Beach | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 61.7" |
Climate warms by 10.9Β°F on the annual average β 64.9Β°F β 75.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntington Beach | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $119,885 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 43.4 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.37 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.5% between Huntington Beach and West Palm Beach (ACS 2023).
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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Huntington Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 2660 mi and the route typically takes 46h 45m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Huntington Beach vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $119,885 in Huntington Beach β a 42.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Huntington Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $50,490 in the Huntington Beach 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.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Huntington Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 0.5% higher than Huntington Beach (114.155 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Huntington Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach β a 70.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Huntington Beach 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 2660 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Huntington Beach.
City profiles: Huntington Beach, CA Β· West Palm Beach, FL.