Moving from Odessa, TX to Palm Bay, FL
Cross-country relocations like Odessa, TX β Palm Bay, FL cover 1504 mi and about 27h 25m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1504 mi Β· 27h 25m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Mobile, Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.5% pricier overall in Palm Bay than Odessa on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Palm Bay typical home at $302,461 is 6.5% above Odessa at $251,239 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Odessa | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 55.6" |
Climate warms by 8.2Β°F on the annual average β 64.4Β°F β 72.6Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 31 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.82 |
Income steps down 6.5%: $73,030 in Odessa vs $67,521 in Palm Bay.
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
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 6.5% higher than Odessa (100.005 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Odessa 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 1504 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $73,030 in Odessa β a 7.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $251,239 in Odessa β a 20.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 1504 mi and the route typically takes 27h 25m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX Β· Palm Bay, FL.