Moving from Brownsville, TX to Palm Bay, FL

A move from Brownsville, TX to Palm Bay, FL covers 1381 mi and around 25h 56m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.

1381 mi Β· 25h 56m by car Β· TX β†’ LA β†’ MS β†’ AL β†’ FL

COL +16.3% Home values +54.3% Ξ” -1.8Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
1381 mi
Drive time
25h 56m
States
5
Fuel (25 mpg)
55 gal
Route throughTX β†’ LA β†’ MS β†’ AL β†’ FL
Primary highwaysI 10, US 77, US 59
Major cities en routeCorpus Christi, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

BrownsvillePalm BayU.S. avg
All items (RPP)85.975100.005100.0
Rents81.1588.064100.0
Goods93.75796.24100.0
Services57.72111.731100.0

BEA RPP moves from 85.975 in Brownsville to 100.005 in Palm Bay, a 16.3% bump on the overall price level.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Brownsville β€” typical home
$195,993
Palm Bay β€” typical home
$302,461
Brownsville β€” typical rent
$1,667/mo
Palm Bay β€” typical rent
$1,866/mo

Homes run dramatically pricier in Palm Bay: 16.3% above Brownsville on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsBrownsvillePalm Bay
Annual avg temperature74Β°F73Β°F
January avg low51Β°F49Β°F
July avg high92Β°F91Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”β€”
Annual precipitationβ€”55.6"

No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, PALM BAY, FL US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023BrownsvillePalm Bay
Population188,023125,273
Median household income$48,675$67,521
Median age30.941.3
Bachelor's degree or higher15.8%14.4%
Avg household size3.212.82

Median household income in Palm Bay is 16.3% above Brownsville ($48,675 vs $67,521, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Brownsville MSA β€” median wage
$33,540
Palm Bay MSA β€” median wage
$46,290
Brownsville MSA β€” employment
154,580
Palm Bay MSA β€” employment
236,890

Top occupations in Palm Bay MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 Texas and Florida

Texas income tax
no state income tax
Florida income tax
no state income tax

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 20–30% 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 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.
  • 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

Is Palm Bay more expensive than Brownsville?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 16.3% higher than Brownsville (100.005 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How far is Palm Bay, FL from Brownsville, TX?

The driving distance is 1381 mi and the route typically takes 25h 56m via I 10 and US 77. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to Brownsville?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How does household income compare in Brownsville vs Palm Bay?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $48,675 in Brownsville β€” a 38.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Brownsville?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $195,993 in Brownsville β€” a 54.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

When is the best time to move from Brownsville to Palm Bay?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1381 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brownsville.

City profiles: Brownsville, TX Β· Palm Bay, FL.

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