Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Tampa, FL
The 137 mi from Palm Bay to Tampa translate to about 2h 55m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
137 mi Β· 2h 55m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 4, US 192, US 441 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Orlando |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Tampa | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Palm Bay (100.005) and Tampa (100.89) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Tampa: 0.9% above Palm Bay on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Tampa -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 53Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 49.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Tampa β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, TAMPA INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 393,389 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $71,302 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 26.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.45 |
Income steps up 0.9%: $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $71,302 in Tampa.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tampa 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 Tampa average 91Β°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 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
Is Tampa more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tampa 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 Tampa, FL from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 137 mi and the route typically takes 2h 55m via I 4 and US 192. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Tampa compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the Tampa 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.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Tampa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,302 in Tampa vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 5.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tampa compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,888 in Tampa vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 23.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to Tampa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 137 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· Tampa, FL.