Moving from Alexandria, VA to Palm Bay, FL
It is 888 mi between Alexandria and Palm Bay β roughly 16h 22m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
888 mi Β· 16h 22m by car Β· VA β NC β SC β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β NC β SC β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 295, I 395 |
| Major cities en route | Richmond, Raleigh, Fayetteville, Savannah, Jacksonville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Alexandria | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.884 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.7 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 104.847 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.134 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.2% cheaper overall in Palm Bay than Alexandria on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Alexandria | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 55.6" |
Annual temperature rises 13.3Β°F moving to Palm Bay per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 2.82 |
Palm Bay households earn about 8.2% less than Alexandria at the median β $113,638 β $67,521 on ACS 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 Virginia 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Alexandria 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 888 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 8.2% lower than Alexandria (100.005 vs 108.884, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $676,205 in Alexandria β a 55.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 3,092,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 888 mi and the route typically takes 16h 22m via I 95 and I 295. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Alexandria vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $113,638 in Alexandria β a 40.6% 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 Alexandria.
City profiles: Alexandria, VA Β· Palm Bay, FL.