Moving from St. Petersburg, FL to Palm Bay, FL
The 159 mi from St. Petersburg to Palm Bay translate to about 3h 22m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — 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.
159 mi · 3h 22m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 4, US 192, US 441 |
| Major cities en route | Clearwater, Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Petersburg | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Palm Bay and St. Petersburg is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Petersburg —, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | St. Petersburg | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 54°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 55.6" |
Annual average temperatures in St. Petersburg (74.5°F) and Palm Bay (72.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG, FL US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Petersburg | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $73,118 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 43.1 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.82 |
Income steps down 0.9%: $73,118 in St. Petersburg vs $67,521 in Palm Bay.
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
When is the best time to move from St. Petersburg 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 159 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Palm Bay more expensive than St. Petersburg?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 0.9% lower than St. Petersburg (100.005 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Petersburg vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $73,118 in St. Petersburg — a 7.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to St. Petersburg?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $46,420 in the St. Petersburg MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from St. Petersburg, FL?
The driving distance is 159 mi and the route typically takes 3h 22m via I 4 and US 192. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Petersburg.
City profiles: St. Petersburg, FL · Palm Bay, FL.