Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Brownsville, TX
Relocating 1469 mi from West Palm Beach to Brownsville is a 27h 21m 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.
1469 mi Β· 27h 21m 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 10, US 77, US 59 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 24.7% cheaper overall price level β 114.155 β 85.975 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
24.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 3.21 |
Expect median household income to fall 24.7% β $69,261 β $48,675 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
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 Brownsville average 92Β°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
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 29.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Brownsville, TX from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 1469 mi and the route typically takes 27h 21m via I 10 and US 77. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1469 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Brownsville more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 24.7% lower than West Palm Beach (85.975 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 50.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Brownsville, TX.