Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Richardson, TX
A move from Palm Bay, FL to Richardson, TX covers 1160 mi and around 21h 34m of driving through 5 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.
1160 mi Β· 21h 34m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Mobile, Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Richardson | 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 |
Richardson and Palm Bay are close on the overall BEA RPP (100.005 vs 103.09); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Richardson typical home at $440,400 is 3.1% above Palm Bay at $302,461 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| 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" |
Richardson is 6.8Β°F cooler on the annual average (72.6Β°F vs 65.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Richardson is 3.1% above Palm Bay ($67,521 vs $96,257, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson 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 Richardson 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 Richardson more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson 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 much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 45.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1160 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 42.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Richardson, TX from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 1160 mi and the route typically takes 21h 34m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Richardson compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson 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.
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· Richardson, TX.