Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Miami Gardens, FL
It is a 155 mi drive, roughly 3h 5m, between Palm Bay, FL and Miami Gardens, FL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
155 mi Β· 3h 5m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, CR 507, SR 70 |
| Major cities en route | Port St Lucie, West Palm Beach, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Miami Gardens | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Miami Gardens runs about 14.1% more expensive overall than Palm Bay β RPP 100.005 β 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $302,461 in Palm Bay to $469,434 in Miami Gardens, a 14.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 68.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 72.6Β°F vs 76.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 111,264 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $60,979 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 11.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 3.22 |
Households in Miami Gardens earn about 14.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami Gardens 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.
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
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami Gardens averages 68.3 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Miami Gardens, FL from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 155 mi and the route typically takes 3h 5m via I 95 and CR 507. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Miami Gardens more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 14.1% higher than Palm Bay (114.155 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 Miami Gardens?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 155 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Miami Gardens compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 236,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Miami Gardens?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 9.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 55.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Miami Gardens, FL.