Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Chattanooga, TN
A move from Palm Bay, FL to Chattanooga, TN covers 622 mi and around 11h 38m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
622 mi Β· 11h 38m by car Β· TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, GA 540, US 192 |
| Major cities en route | Sandy Springs, Atlanta, South Fulton, Gainesville, Orlando |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Chattanooga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 91.464 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 74.209 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 95.994 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 76.55 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 100.005 to 91.464, putting Chattanooga roughly 8.5% below Palm Bay on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Chattanooga at $319,579 is 8.5% above Palm Bay at $302,461.
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Chattanooga -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 55.0" |
Chattanooga is 10.7Β°F cooler on the annual average (72.6Β°F vs 61.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Light snow year: Chattanooga gets around 3.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 182,832 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $61,028 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.35 |
Median household income in Chattanooga is 8.5% below Palm Bay ($67,521 β $61,028, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chattanooga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 34,970 | $39,520 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,430 | $36,320 |
| Production Occupations | 26,510 | $43,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,780 | $27,910 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,460 | $31,750 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements 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 Chattanooga 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: Chattanooga averages 55.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.7Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Chattanooga more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chattanooga is 8.5% lower than Palm Bay (91.464 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Chattanooga compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $319,579 in Chattanooga vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 5.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Chattanooga compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 261,750 and 236,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to Chattanooga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 622 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Chattanooga, TN from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 622 mi and the route typically takes 11h 38m via I 75 and GA 540. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Chattanooga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,028 in Chattanooga vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 9.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Chattanooga, TN.