Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to West Palm Beach, FL
Relocating from Fort Lauderdale, FL to West Palm Beach, FL? The drive is 48 mi β about 1h 6m. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
48 mi Β· 1h 6m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, SR 845, SR 809 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale to $399,471 in West Palm Beach, a 0.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 60Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 61.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 76.9Β°F vs 75.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.37 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% lower in West Palm Beach than Fort Lauderdale.
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
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale 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 48 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 Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 48 mi and the route typically takes 1h 6m via I 95 and SR 845. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale β a 13.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL Β· West Palm Beach, FL.