Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Miami, FL
Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Miami, FL covers 170 mi and about 3h 21m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
170 mi Β· 3h 21m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, CR 514, SR 514 |
| 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
| Palm Bay | Miami | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Miami is 14.1% higher than Palm Bay, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Miami is 14.1% above Palm Bay β $302,461 vs $579,564 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Miami -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 61Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 57.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Palm Bay (72.6Β°F) and Miami (76.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Miami gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, MIAMI BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 446,663 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $59,390 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 39.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.35 |
Median household income in Miami is 14.1% below Palm Bay ($67,521 β $59,390, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami 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
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami averages 57.2 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 Miami compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 236,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Miami?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,390 in Miami vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 12.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Miami more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami is 14.1% higher than Palm Bay (114.155 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Miami, FL from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 170 mi and the route typically takes 3h 21m via I 95 and CR 514. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Miami compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $579,564 in Miami vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 91.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to Miami?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 170 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Palm Bay.
City profiles: Palm Bay, FL Β· Miami, FL.