Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Orlando, FL
The 68 mi from Palm Bay to Orlando translate to about 1h 28m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
68 mi · 1h 28m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, FL 528 TOLL, CR 15 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Orlando and Palm Bay is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Orlando is 1.4% above Palm Bay — $302,461 vs $374,136 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palm Bay | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 50°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 51.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Palm Bay (72.6°F) and Orlando (73.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Orlando gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.46 |
Median household incomes in Palm Bay ($67,521) and Orlando ($69,268) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 Orlando average 92°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: Orlando averages 51.5 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — 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 does the job market in Orlando compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 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 Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $67,521 in Palm Bay — a 2.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Orlando, FL from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 68 mi and the route typically takes 1h 28m via I 95 and FL 528 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $302,461 in Palm Bay — a 23.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 68 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Orlando more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 1.4% higher than Palm Bay (101.418 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palm Bay.
City profiles: Palm Bay, FL · Orlando, FL.