Moving from Miami Gardens, FL to Palm Bay, FL
It is a 155 mi drive, roughly 3h 5m, between Miami Gardens, FL and Palm Bay, 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.
155 mi Β· 3h 5m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, CR 507, SR 70 |
| Major cities en route | Port St Lucie, West Palm Beach, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Miami Gardens | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.4% cheaper overall in Palm Bay than Miami Gardens on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Miami Gardens -2.9%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Miami Gardens | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 68.3" | 55.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami Gardens | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,264 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $60,979 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.6% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.82 |
Households in Palm Bay earn about 12.4% more at the median β 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 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 much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Miami Gardens?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $469,434 in Miami Gardens β a 35.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Miami Gardens, FL?
The driving distance is 155 mi and the route typically takes 3h 5m via I 95 and CR 507. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Miami Gardens 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 155 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 Miami Gardens?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami Gardens 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.
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Miami Gardens?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 12.4% lower than Miami Gardens (100.005 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Miami Gardens vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens β a 10.7% 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 Gardens.
City profiles: Miami Gardens, FL Β· Palm Bay, FL.