Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Miami, FL
It is a 72 mi drive, roughly 1h 36m, between West Palm Beach, FL and Miami, FL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
72 mi Β· 1h 36m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, SR 704, US 441 |
| Major cities en route | Hialeah, Miami Gardens, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Miami | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Miami -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 61Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 57.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Miami β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, MIAMI BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 446,663 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $59,390 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 39.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.35 |
Households in Miami earn about 0.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami 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
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami averages 57.2 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
How far is Miami, FL from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 72 mi and the route typically takes 1h 36m via I 95 and SR 704. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Miami compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Miami compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $579,564 in Miami vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 45.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Miami?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 72 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Miami?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,390 in Miami vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 14.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Miami, FL.