Moving from Kent, WA to West Palm Beach, FL
Cross-country relocations like Kent, WA β West Palm Beach, FL cover 3254 mi and about 57h 40m of driving through 12 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.
3254 mi Β· 57h 40m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
West Palm Beach and Kent are close on the overall BEA RPP (111.133 vs 114.155); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: West Palm Beach typical home at $399,471 is 2.7% under Kent at $656,314 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 61.7" |
NOAA normals show West Palm Beach running 22.0Β°F above Kent on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.37 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.7% between Kent 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements 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 (22.0Β°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 much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $656,314 in Kent β a 39.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 3254 mi and the route typically takes 57h 40m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Kent vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $90,416 in Kent β a 23.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kent 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 3254 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 2.7% higher than Kent (114.155 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· West Palm Beach, FL.