Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to West Palm Beach, FL
The drive from Port St. Lucie to West Palm Beach covers 48 mi in about 1h 4m. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
48 mi · 1h 4m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | SR 710, SR 809, CR 702 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 100.228 in Port St. Lucie to 114.155 in West Palm Beach, a 13.9% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie —, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 57°F | 58°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 61.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.37 |
Income steps down 13.9%: $78,137 in Port St. Lucie vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach.
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 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 West Palm Beach average 90°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 — 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 does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 48 mi and the route typically takes 1h 4m via SR 710 and SR 809. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to West Palm Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 48 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Port St. Lucie vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie — a 11.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 13.9% higher than Port St. Lucie (114.155 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 · West Palm Beach, FL.