Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Palm Bay, FL
It is a 100 mi drive, roughly 2h 7m, between West Palm Beach, FL and Palm Bay, 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.
100 mi Β· 2h 7m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, CR 507, SR 710 |
| Major cities en route | Port St Lucie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Palm Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 100.005 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 88.064 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 111.731 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.4% cheaper overall in Palm Bay than West Palm Beach on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Palm Bay -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 55.6" |
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, PALM BAY, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Palm Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 125,273 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $67,521 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 41.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 14.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.82 |
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 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.
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 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.
- 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
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach 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 100 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 West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palm Bay is 12.4% lower than West Palm Beach (100.005 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Palm Bay compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $302,461 in Palm Bay vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 24.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Palm Bay, FL from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 100 mi and the route typically takes 2h 7m via I 95 and CR 507. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Palm Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,521 in Palm Bay vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 2.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Palm Bay compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 236,890 and 2,721,490 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 West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Palm Bay, FL.