Moving from Palm Bay, FL to West Palm Beach, FL
It is a 100 mi drive, roughly 2h 7m, between Palm Bay, FL and West Palm Beach, FL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
100 mi Β· 2h 7m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, CR 507, SR 710 |
| Major cities en route | Port St Lucie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | West Palm Beach | 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 |
West Palm Beach runs about 14.1% more expensive overall than Palm Bay β RPP 100.005 β 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $302,461 in Palm Bay to $399,471 in West Palm Beach, a 14.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 61.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 72.6Β°F vs 75.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.37 |
Household income lines up β $67,521 vs $69,261 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Palm Beach 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in West Palm Beach average 90Β°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: West Palm Beach averages 61.7 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 West Palm Beach compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach 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 far is West Palm Beach, FL from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 100 mi and the route typically takes 2h 7m via I 95 and CR 507. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach 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.
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to West Palm Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 100 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 West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 2.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 32.1% higher 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 Β· West Palm Beach, FL.