Moving from Tampa, FL to West Palm Beach, FL
Relocating between Tampa, FL and West Palm Beach, FL is a 202 mi drive β 4h 8m 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.
202 mi Β· 4h 8m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | FL 60, I 4, FL 570 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Palm Bay, Port St Lucie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 13.1% above Tampa β 100.89 β 114.155 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 13.1% above Tampa β $374,888 β $399,471 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tampa | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 61.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.37 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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
When is the best time to move from Tampa 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 202 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 202 mi and the route typically takes 4h 8m via FL 60 and I 4. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 13.1% higher than Tampa (114.155 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $71,302 in Tampa β a 2.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $374,888 in Tampa β a 6.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL Β· West Palm Beach, FL.