Living in West Palm Beach, FL

West Palm Beach is the 229th-largest city in the US, home to about 127,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 8.4% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (114.2 on an index where the US is 100).

Population, 2025

127,189+8.4% since 2020

Median home value

$414,2005.6 years of median income

Median rent

$1,772/morent plus utilities

Household income

$73,446median, per year

Price level

114.2US average = 100

January / July highs

75° / 90°lows 58° / 76°

Average commute

23 min13% work from home

State income tax

Noneon wages

Cost of living in West Palm Beach

The median home in West Palm Beach is worth $414,200 and the median household earns $73,446 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.6 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,772 a month, about 29% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area at 114.2, with housing at 155.6 and goods at 103.6 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $85,600 here. Florida has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Florida is 6.98%.

All items114.2

Housing155.6

Goods103.6

Utilities97.2

Other services109.1

What would my salary be worth in West Palm Beach?

West Palm Beach weather

Average highs run from 75°F in January to 90°F in July, and January nights average 58°F. It gets 62 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 74 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are November to April.

Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit West Palm Beach

People and work

The median resident is 41.1 years old, and 39% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 50% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 23 minutes; 13% of workers work from home.

Median age

41.1478th youngest of 546

Bachelor's or higher

39%adults 25+

Homeowners

51%of households

People per sq mile

2,36153.9 sq mi of land

Take transit to work

2%2% walk, 0.6% bike

Unemployment

5.1%2020-2024 average

Poverty rate

14.1%of residents

Typical home built

1988median year

Who moves to West Palm Beach, and where people go

From farther away, newcomers most often come from Nassau County, NY, Suffolk County, NY and New York County, NY. People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Orlando (Orange County), Palm Bay (Brevard County) and Tampa (Hillsborough County). See the map and full lists

IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.

Natural hazards, home prices and air quality

FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Parks and sights near West Palm Beach

The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.

• Palm Beach State College 7 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Florida Atlantic University 24 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Norton Museum of Art Museum 2 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Butterfly World Zoo 31 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Palm Beach Atlantic University 2 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Everglades University 22 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Lynn University 23 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Flagler Museum Museum 2 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens Botanical garden 20 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Society of the Four Arts Botanical garden 2 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Boca Raton Museum of Art Museum 25 miles
  BeenWant to go
• John D. MacArthur Beach State Park State park 8 miles
  BeenWant to go

Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.

Airports near West Palm Beach

Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.

Colleges in and near West Palm Beach

US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.

Frost dates and fall color in West Palm Beach

Freezing nights are rare here.

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for West Palm Beach Intl. Airport, FL, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for West Palm Beach.

Wildfire smoke in West Palm Beach

From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered West Palm Beach on about 73 days a year, including about 2 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.

NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.

Home internet in West Palm Beach

Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 52,522 households. Compare every city.

Public schools in West Palm Beach

Downtown West Palm Beach is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.

National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.

West Palm Beach's twin cities

Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to West Palm Beach's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).

• League City, TX44% matchCompare
• Pearland, TX41% matchCompare
• Honolulu, HI40% matchCompare
• Sugar Land, TX39% matchCompare

Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler

Stargazing near West Palm Beach

The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:

• Big Cypress National Preserve International Dark Sky Park 84 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park International Dark Sky Park 88 miles
  BeenWant to go

Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.

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Pros and cons of living in West Palm Beach

Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.

Pros

• Data Florida has no state income tax on wages.
• Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 75°F.
• Data The city is growing fast (+8.4% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.

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Cons

• Data Everyday prices in the metro run 14% above the US average, mostly because of housing.

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Cities near West Palm Beach

Straight-line distance between city centers.

West Palm Beach ranks 44th of 95 in our best suburbs of Miami ranking.

Cities with a similar profile

Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.

Compare West Palm Beach with another city

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Frequently asked questions

Is West Palm Beach a good place to live?

It depends on what you need. The numbers show a growing population, no state income tax on wages, 6 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are high prices. Compare West Palm Beach side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.

What is the population of West Palm Beach?

The Census Bureau estimates West Palm Beach had 127,189 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 117,290 in April 2020 (+8.4%).

How much do you need to earn to live in West Palm Beach?

Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $85,600 in the West Palm Beach area. The median household here earns $73,446.

When is the best time to visit West Palm Beach?

By the 1991-2020 climate normals, November to April are the most comfortable months. July averages 90°F and January 75°F for daytime highs.

What county is West Palm Beach in?

West Palm Beach is in Palm Beach County, Florida. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.

What time zone is West Palm Beach in?

West Palm Beach is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).

What is the elevation of West Palm Beach?

Close to sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.

Does Florida have a state income tax?

No. Florida does not tax wage income.

Sources

Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of West Palm Beach. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, West Palm Beach Intl. Airport, FL station; snowfall from Loxahatchee Nwr, FL. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.