Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Plano, TX
The drive from West Palm Beach, FL to Plano, TX runs 1255 mi β about 23h 8m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1255 mi Β· 23h 8m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Mckinney, Denton, Lewisville, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Plano | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Plano are 9.7% below West Palm Beach β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Plano typical home at $498,989 is 9.7% above West Palm Beach at $399,471 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Plano -5.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 41.9" |
Climate cools by 10.0Β°F on the annual average β 75.8Β°F β 65.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 287,339 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $108,649 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 39.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 9.7% between West Palm Beach and Plano (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Plano MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Plano average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.0Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Plano?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1255 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 Plano compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $498,989 in Plano vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 24.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Plano, TX from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 1255 mi and the route typically takes 23h 8m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Plano more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Plano is 9.7% lower than West Palm Beach (103.09 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Plano compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Plano MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Plano?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,649 in Plano vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 56.9% higher 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· Plano, TX.