Moving from Miami, FL to West Palm Beach, FL
It is a 72 mi drive, roughly 1h 36m, between Miami, FL and West Palm Beach, FL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
72 mi Β· 1h 36m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, SR 704, US 441 |
| Major cities en route | Hialeah, Miami Gardens, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Miami | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 114.155 vs 114.155 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $579,564 to $399,471 moving to West Palm Beach.
YoY change: Miami -2.0%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Miami | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 61Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 57.2" | 61.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Miami (76.1Β°F) and West Palm Beach (75.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MIAMI BEACH, FL US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $59,390 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.37 |
Households in West Palm Beach earn about 0.0% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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.
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 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Miami?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,721,490 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 Miami?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $579,564 in Miami β a 31.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Miami, FL?
The driving distance is 72 mi and the route typically takes 1h 36m via I 95 and SR 704. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Miami 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 72 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Miami vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $59,390 in Miami β a 16.6% 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 Miami.
City profiles: Miami, FL Β· West Palm Beach, FL.