Moving from Austin, TX to West Palm Beach, FL
The drive from Austin, TX to West Palm Beach, FL runs 1274 mi β about 23h 25m 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.
1274 mi Β· 23h 25m 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 10, US 90, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, College Station, Houston, Pasadena, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 16.4% pricier overall in West Palm Beach than Austin on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: West Palm Beach typical home at $399,471 is 16.4% under Austin at $508,530 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Austin | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 61.7" |
Climate warms by 5.8Β°F on the annual average β 70.0Β°F β 75.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.37 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.4% between Austin and West Palm Beach (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Palm Beach 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.
Moving between Texas 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 West Palm Beach average 90Β°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: West Palm Beach averages 61.7 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 does household income compare in Austin vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $91,461 in Austin β a 24.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Austin to West Palm Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1274 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 West Palm Beach compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 16.4% higher than Austin (114.155 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 1274 mi and the route typically takes 23h 25m via I 10 and US 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $508,530 in Austin β a 21.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX Β· West Palm Beach, FL.