Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Palm Bay, FL
Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Palm Bay, FL covers 183 mi and about 3h 29m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
183 mi · 3h 29m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, FL 13, CR 514 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
Palm Bay and Jacksonville are close on the overall BEA RPP (99.484 vs 100.005); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 0.5% higher in Palm Bay than Jacksonville as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jacksonville | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 55.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 71.4°F vs 72.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.82 |
Household income lines up — $66,981 vs $67,521 on 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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 91°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 — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — 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 Jacksonville vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $66,981 in Jacksonville — a 0.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 183 mi and the route typically takes 3h 29m via I 95 and FL 13. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville to Palm Bay?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 183 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $282,895 in Jacksonville — a 6.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 0.5% higher than Jacksonville (100.005 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL · Palm Bay, FL.