Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Jacksonville, FL
Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Jacksonville, FL covers 183 mi and about 3h 29m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
183 mi · 3h 29m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, FL 13, CR 514 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Jacksonville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 99.484 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 87.514 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 109.777 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Jacksonville and Palm Bay is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Jacksonville is 0.5% below Palm Bay ($282,895 vs $302,461 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Jacksonville -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palm Bay | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 47.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Palm Bay (72.6°F) and Jacksonville (71.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Jacksonville gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 961,739 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $66,981 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.5 |
Median household incomes in Palm Bay ($67,521) and Jacksonville ($66,981) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jacksonville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 106,430 | $41,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 78,750 | $37,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 72,870 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,150 | $29,270 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,370 | $74,980 |
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 Jacksonville average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Jacksonville more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jacksonville is 0.5% lower than Palm Bay (99.484 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Jacksonville, FL from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 183 mi and the route typically takes 3h 29m via I 95 and FL 13. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Jacksonville compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 740,520 and 236,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to Jacksonville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 183 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Jacksonville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,981 in Jacksonville vs $67,521 in Palm Bay — a 0.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Jacksonville compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $282,895 in Jacksonville vs $302,461 in Palm Bay — a 6.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palm Bay.
City profiles: Palm Bay, FL · Jacksonville, FL.