Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Jacksonville, FL
Relocating between West Palm Beach, FL and Jacksonville, FL is a 278 mi drive β 5h 13m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
278 mi Β· 5h 13m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, SR 710, SR 809 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Palm Bay, Port St Lucie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Jacksonville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 99.484 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 87.514 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 109.777 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.9% cheaper overall in Jacksonville than West Palm Beach on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.9% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Jacksonville -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 47.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Jacksonville β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 961,739 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $66,981 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.5 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jacksonville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 106,430 | $41,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 78,750 | $37,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 72,870 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,150 | $29,270 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,370 | $74,980 |
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 Jacksonville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 far is Jacksonville, FL from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 278 mi and the route typically takes 5h 13m via I 95 and SR 710. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Jacksonville compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 740,520 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Jacksonville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,981 in Jacksonville vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 3.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Jacksonville compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $282,895 in Jacksonville vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 29.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Jacksonville more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jacksonville is 12.9% lower than West Palm Beach (99.484 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Jacksonville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 278 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 West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Jacksonville, FL.