Moving from Houston, TX to Palm Bay, FL
It is 1032 mi between Houston and Palm Bay β roughly 19h 3m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1032 mi Β· 19h 3m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 98.629 vs 100.005 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.4% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 55.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Houston (70.6Β°F) and Palm Bay (72.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.82 |
Households in Palm Bay earn about 1.4% more 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 Texas 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.
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
How much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $264,336 in Houston β a 14.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 1.4% higher than Houston (100.005 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Houston 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 1032 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1032 mi and the route typically takes 19h 3m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $62,894 in Houston β a 7.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Palm Bay, FL.