Moving from St. Petersburg, FL to West Palm Beach, FL
It is a 198 mi drive, roughly 4h 29m, between St. Petersburg, FL and West Palm Beach, 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.
198 mi Β· 4h 29m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | SR 70, SR 710, I 275 |
| Major cities en route | Tampa, Clearwater, Port St Lucie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Petersburg | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
West Palm Beach runs about 13.1% more expensive overall than St. Petersburg β RPP 100.89 β 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Petersburg β, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Petersburg | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 54Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 61.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 74.5Β°F vs 75.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG, FL US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Petersburg | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $73,118 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 43.1 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.37 |
Households in West Palm Beach earn about 13.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Palm Beach 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in West Palm Beach average 90Β°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: West Palm Beach averages 61.7 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 does household income compare in St. Petersburg vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $73,118 in St. Petersburg β a 5.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from St. Petersburg, FL?
The driving distance is 198 mi and the route typically takes 4h 29m via SR 70 and SR 710. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to St. Petersburg?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $46,420 in the St. Petersburg MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than St. Petersburg?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 13.1% higher than St. Petersburg (114.155 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from St. Petersburg to West Palm Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 198 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Petersburg.
City profiles: St. Petersburg, FL Β· West Palm Beach, FL.