Moving from Raleigh, NC to Palm Bay, FL
A move from Raleigh, NC to Palm Bay, FL covers 640 mi and around 11h 47m of driving through 4 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.
640 mi Β· 11h 47m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 40, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Cary, Fayetteville, Savannah, Jacksonville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Raleigh (98.157) and Palm Bay (100.005) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Palm Bay: 1.9% below Raleigh on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Raleigh | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 55.6" |
Palm Bay runs 11.5Β°F warmer on the annual average (61.1Β°F vs 72.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.82 |
Median household income in Palm Bay is 1.9% below Raleigh ($82,424 β $67,521, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palm Bay MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 28,820 | $39,710 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,880 | $28,940 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,200 | $33,940 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 16,730 | $79,650 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 15,660 | $73,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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 Palm Bay 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: Palm Bay averages 55.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Raleigh to Palm Bay?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 640 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Palm Bay more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 1.9% higher than Raleigh (100.005 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $82,424 in Raleigh β a 18.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 640 mi and the route typically takes 11h 47m via I 95 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $433,996 in Raleigh β a 30.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC Β· Palm Bay, FL.