Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Palm Bay, FL
A move from Tuscaloosa, AL to Palm Bay, FL covers 631 mi and around 12h 34m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
631 mi Β· 12h 34m by car Β· FL β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 231, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Montgomery |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 14.0% pricier overall in Palm Bay than Tuscaloosa on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Palm Bay typical home at $302,461 is 14.0% above Tuscaloosa at $228,947 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 55.6" |
Palm Bay runs 8.3Β°F warmer on the annual average (64.3Β°F vs 72.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.82 |
Median household income in Palm Bay is 14.0% above Tuscaloosa ($48,536 vs $67,521, ACS 5-year 2023).
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.
Moving between Alabama and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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 Palm Bay average 91Β°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 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.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 631 mi and the route typically takes 12h 34m via I 10 and US 231. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tuscaloosa to Palm Bay?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 631 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa β a 32.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tuscaloosa vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 39.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 14.0% higher than Tuscaloosa (100.005 vs 87.722, 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 Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL Β· Palm Bay, FL.