Moving from Clearwater, FL to Palm Bay, FL
Relocating between Clearwater, FL and Palm Bay, FL is a 160 mi drive β 3h 24m 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.
160 mi Β· 3h 24m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 4, US 192, FL 417 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Lakeland, Tampa, St Petersburg |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.9% under Clearwater β $339,488 β $302,461 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 55.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.82 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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.
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 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 4.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Clearwater 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 160 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 Palm Bay compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 0.9% lower than Clearwater (100.005 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 10.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 160 mi and the route typically takes 3h 24m via I 4 and US 192. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· Palm Bay, FL.