Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Brownsville, TX
The drive from Palm Bay, FL to Brownsville, TX runs 1381 mi β about 25h 56m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1381 mi Β· 25h 56m 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, US 77, US 59 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Brownsville are 14.0% below Palm Bay β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Brownsville typical home at $195,993 is 14.0% under Palm Bay at $302,461 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 72.6Β°F vs 74.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 3.21 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 14.0% between Palm Bay and Brownsville (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Brownsville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 27.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 35.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 1381 mi and the route typically takes 25h 56m via I 10 and US 77. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 236,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 14.0% lower than Palm Bay (85.975 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1381 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 Palm Bay.
City profiles: Palm Bay, FL Β· Brownsville, TX.