Moving from Lakeland, FL to Palm Bay, FL
It is a 107 mi drive, roughly 2h 19m, between Lakeland, FL and Palm Bay, FL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
107 mi · 2h 19m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 192, I 4, FL 417 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Orlando |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakeland | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.141 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.883 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.942 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
Lakeland and Palm Bay sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Palm Bay ($302,461) sits close to Lakeland ($311,156) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Lakeland -2.8%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakeland | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 51°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 56.8" | 55.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 73.9°F vs 72.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKELAND 2, FL US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakeland | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,030 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $60,947 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 39.9 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.82 |
Households in Palm Bay earn about 2.9% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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 20–30% 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 91°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 — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — 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
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Lakeland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 2.9% higher than Lakeland (100.005 vs 97.141, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Lakeland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $311,156 in Lakeland — a 2.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lakeland vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $60,947 in Lakeland — a 10.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance is 107 mi and the route typically takes 2h 19m via US 192 and I 4. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to Lakeland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 256,700 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Lakeland to Palm Bay?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 107 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Lakeland.
City profiles: Lakeland, FL · Palm Bay, FL.