Moving from Cape Coral, FL to West Palm Beach, FL
Relocating between Cape Coral, FL and West Palm Beach, FL is a 133 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.
133 mi Β· 3h 13m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | SR 80, US 98, US 441 |
| Major cities en route | Coral Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cape Coral | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.349 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.901 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.113 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 11.5% above Cape Coral β 102.349 β 114.155 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 11.5% above Cape Coral β $338,302 β $399,471 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Cape Coral -8.4%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cape Coral | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 54Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 57.4" | 61.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT MYERS PAGE FLD AP, FL US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cape Coral | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $76,062 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 48.7 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.37 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 11.5% lower in West Palm Beach than Cape Coral.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Cape Coral vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $76,062 in Cape Coral β a 8.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Cape Coral?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 11.5% higher than Cape Coral (114.155 vs 102.349, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Cape Coral?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $43,330 in the Cape Coral MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 290,450 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Cape Coral, FL?
The driving distance is 133 mi and the route typically takes 3h 13m via SR 80 and US 98. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Cape Coral?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $338,302 in Cape Coral β a 18.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cape Coral 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 133 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 Cape Coral.
City profiles: Cape Coral, FL Β· West Palm Beach, FL.