Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Palm Bay, FL
Relocating between Port St. Lucie, FL and Palm Bay, 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
| Port St. Lucie | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie —, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 57°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 55.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.82 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.2% lower in Palm Bay than Port St. Lucie.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palm Bay MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 28,820 | $39,710 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,880 | $28,940 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,200 | $33,940 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 16,730 | $79,650 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 15,660 | $73,620 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palm Bay average 91°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: Palm Bay averages 55.6 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
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Port St. Lucie, 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.
How does household income compare in Port St. Lucie vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie — a 13.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to Palm Bay?
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 the job market in Palm Bay compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 0.2% lower than Port St. Lucie (100.005 vs 100.228, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Port St. Lucie.
City profiles: Port St. Lucie, FL · Palm Bay, FL.