Moving from Irvine, CA to West Palm Beach, FL
A 2650 mi cross-country move between Irvine and West Palm Beach is 46h 31m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 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.
2650 mi Β· 46h 31m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irvine | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 113.566 vs 114.155 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 0.5% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,557,982 to $399,471 moving to West Palm Beach.
YoY change: Irvine -0.8%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Irvine | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 61.7" |
Annual temperature rises 10.9Β°F moving to West Palm Beach per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irvine | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $129,647 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 33.9 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.4% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.37 |
West Palm Beach households earn about 0.5% less than Irvine at the median β $129,647 β $69,261 on ACS 2023.
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.
Moving between California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in 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 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.9Β°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 West Palm Beach compared to Irvine?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $1,557,982 in Irvine β a 74.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Irvine?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 0.5% higher than Irvine (114.155 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Irvine vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $129,647 in Irvine β a 46.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Irvine?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $50,490 in the Irvine MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance is 2650 mi and the route typically takes 46h 31m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Irvine 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 2650 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 Irvine.
City profiles: Irvine, CA Β· West Palm Beach, FL.