Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Port St. Lucie, FL
Relocating between Palm Bay, FL and Port St. Lucie, FL is a 60 mi drive — 1h 16m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
60 mi · 1h 16m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, CR 514, SR 514 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Port St. Lucie | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 100.228 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 87.031 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 113.642 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 100.005 vs 100.228 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Port St. Lucie —. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palm Bay | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 57°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 58.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Palm Bay (72.6°F) and Port St. Lucie (75.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, NETTLES IS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Port St. Lucie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 220,453 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $78,137 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 43.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.78 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.2% higher in Port St. Lucie than Palm Bay.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Port St. Lucie MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,870 | $39,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 18,390 | $29,160 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 17,270 | $33,620 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,330 | $36,220 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,650 | $72,910 |
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
- Pack rain gear on top: Port St. Lucie averages 58.9 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Port St. Lucie more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Port St. Lucie is 0.2% higher than Palm Bay (100.228 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Port St. Lucie, FL from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 60 mi and the route typically takes 1h 16m via I 95 and CR 514. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to Port St. Lucie?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 60 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 Port St. Lucie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie vs $67,521 in Palm Bay — a 15.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Port St. Lucie compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 163,210 and 236,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palm Bay.
City profiles: Palm Bay, FL · Port St. Lucie, FL.