Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Clearwater, FL
It is a 160 mi drive, roughly 3h 24m, between Palm Bay, FL and Clearwater, 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.
160 mi Β· 3h 24m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 4, US 192, FL 417 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Lakeland, Tampa, St Petersburg |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Clearwater | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 100.89 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 88.525 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 95.47 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 125.839 | 100.0 |
Palm Bay and Clearwater sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Clearwater run about 0.9% pricier β ZHVI $302,461 β $339,488 (2026-03).
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Clearwater -5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 53Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 53.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 72.6Β°F vs 73.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 117,075 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $64,440 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 46.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.35 |
Household income lines up β $67,521 vs $64,440 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clearwater MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 201,260 | $41,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 145,340 | $36,560 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 135,010 | $30,310 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,660 | $36,330 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 111,490 | $75,840 |
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 Clearwater 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: Clearwater averages 53.6 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
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to Clearwater?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 160 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Clearwater compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $339,488 in Clearwater vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 12.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Clearwater compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 1,412,840 and 236,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Clearwater more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clearwater is 0.9% higher than Palm Bay (100.89 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Clearwater, FL from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 160 mi and the route typically takes 3h 24m via I 4 and US 192. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Clearwater?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,440 in Clearwater vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 4.6% lower 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 Palm Bay.
City profiles: Palm Bay, FL Β· Clearwater, FL.