Moving from Mobile, AL to West Palm Beach, FL
Relocating 656 mi from Mobile to West Palm Beach is a 11h 59m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
656 mi Β· 11h 59m by car Β· AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Tallahassee, Gainesville, Orlando, Palm Bay, Port St Lucie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Mobile | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.098 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.185 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 60.116 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 88.098 in Mobile to 114.155 in West Palm Beach, putting overall prices 29.6% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 29.6% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $194,564 to $399,471 moving to West Palm Beach.
YoY change: Mobile -2.1%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Mobile | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.5" | 61.7" |
Expect 6.7Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Mobile | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $51,090 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 37.7 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.37 |
Expect median household income to rise 29.6% β $51,090 β $69,261 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Alabama 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 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.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Mobile?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $41,660 in the Mobile MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 169,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Mobile?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 29.6% higher than Mobile (114.155 vs 88.098, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Mobile vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $51,090 in Mobile β a 35.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Mobile 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 656 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Mobile, AL?
The driving distance is 656 mi and the route typically takes 11h 59m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Mobile?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $194,564 in Mobile β a 105.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Mobile.
City profiles: Mobile, AL Β· West Palm Beach, FL.