Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Tuscaloosa, AL
A move from Palm Bay, FL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 631 mi and around 12h 34m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
631 mi Β· 12h 34m by car Β· FL β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 231, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Montgomery |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Tuscaloosa is 12.3% cheaper than Palm Bay overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tuscaloosa is 12.3% below Palm Bay β $302,461 vs $228,947 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 57.3" |
Tuscaloosa is 8.3Β°F cooler on the annual average (72.6Β°F vs 64.3Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Tuscaloosa is 12.3% below Palm Bay ($67,521 vs $48,536, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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 Tuscaloosa average 92Β°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: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 631 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 28.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 24.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 631 mi and the route typically takes 12h 34m via I 10 and US 231. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 12.3% lower than Palm Bay (87.722 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 103,520 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 Β· Tuscaloosa, AL.