Moving from Gresham, OR to Palm Bay, FL
A 3094 mi cross-country move between Gresham and Palm Bay is 54h 59m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 12 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
3094 mi Β· 54h 59m by car Β· FL β GA β TN β KY β IL β MO β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β TN β KY β IL β MO β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Gainesville, Atlanta, South Fulton, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Gresham | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.1% cheaper overall in Palm Bay than Gresham on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Gresham -0.5%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Gresham | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 55.6" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.9Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Gresham | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $73,608 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.82 |
Households in Palm Bay earn about 5.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
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.
Moving between Oregon 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Gresham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $471,181 in Gresham β a 35.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Gresham vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $73,608 in Gresham β a 8.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Gresham, OR?
The driving distance is 3094 mi and the route typically takes 54h 59m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Gresham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 5.1% lower than Gresham (100.005 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to Gresham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $55,940 in the Gresham MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Gresham 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 3094 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 Gresham.
City profiles: Gresham, OR Β· Palm Bay, FL.