Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Orlando, FL
Relocating between West Palm Beach, FL and Orlando, FL is a 163 mi drive β 3h 13m 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.
163 mi Β· 3h 13m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, FL 528 TOLL, SR 710 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Port St Lucie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.2% cheaper overall in Orlando than West Palm Beach on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 11.2% under West Palm Beach β $399,471 β $374,136 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 50Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 51.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Orlando β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.46 |
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 Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
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 Orlando average 92Β°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: Orlando averages 51.5 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 West Palm Beach to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 163 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Orlando compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 6.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Orlando more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 11.2% lower than West Palm Beach (101.418 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Orlando, FL from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 163 mi and the route typically takes 3h 13m via I 95 and FL 528 TOLL. 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 West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Orlando, FL.