Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Plano, TX
Relocating 1166 mi from Palm Bay to Plano is a 21h 42m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1166 mi Β· 21h 42m 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 20, I 10, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Mckinney, Denton, Lewisville, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Plano | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.1% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Plano -5.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 41.9" |
Expect 6.8Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 287,339 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $108,649 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 39.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 3.1% β $67,521 β $108,649 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Plano MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Plano average 94Β°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
Is Plano more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Plano is 3.1% higher than Palm Bay (103.09 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Plano compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Plano MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 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 Plano?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1166 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Plano compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $498,989 in Plano vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 65.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Plano, TX from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 1166 mi and the route typically takes 21h 42m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Plano?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,649 in Plano vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 60.9% higher 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· Plano, TX.