Firstly why West-Palm-Beach, Florida?
I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:
- City: West-Palm-Beach
- State: Florida
- Population: 111,398 people
- West-Palm-Beach’s quick summary would be Famous for its lively downtown, upscale shopping, and the annual SunFest music festival.
Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:
- How many people move-in: 15,000 annually
- While this many move-out: 21,000 annually
- Net Migration: -6000 less people annual change
- Non-Citizen Move-in: 8,000
- Number of Homeless people: 2,000
You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offering cultural diversity and warm weather attracts retirees and families
Perk #1: West-Palm-Beach Demographic Mix & Lifestyle
- The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 36%
- Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 51%
- Largest Local Ethnic Group is Black
- The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
- The median income is (and growing) $70,000
- Income Required to Live Comfortably in West-Palm-Beach is $64,000
- Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $-6000 in negative cash flow
This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?
Perk #2: Housing & West-Palm-Beach’s Cost of Living
- Cost of Living Index: 130 (100 is the US average)
- Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,071
- Property Tax %: 1.33%
- Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,500
- Rent for an average house: $2,400
- Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: CityPlace
- Top 5 Growing Areas: West-Palm-Beach, Palm-Beach, Boca-Raton, Delray-Beach, and probably could include Lake-Worth
- Avg. Age of Homes in West-Palm-Beach: 67 years
- The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.8%
If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.
Perk #3: Job Market & West-Palm-Beach’s Economy
- 3 Industries gaining traction in West-Palm-Beach are Tourism, Healthcare, and Retail
- West-Palm-Beach Job Scene: growing job market centered on tourism and services
- The General Tech Scene: growing tech scene centered around healthcare and digital services , ,
- West-Palm-Beach Resident’s pay $1,500 in City Tax alone!
- Local Sales Tax in West-Palm-Beach: 7%
- No. of Independent Businesses: 200 (excluding chains and corporates)
- Number of Local Branch Banks: 8
Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.
Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in West-Palm-Beach
- Monthly Transportation Costs: $150 on average per person
- Freeway Access: I-95 runs along the coast through West Palm Beach
- Commute Time: 28 minutes (public & private)
- Main Evening Traffic Area: congestion on I-95
- Transportation Score: 45 out of 100 described as Some Transit
- No. of Vehicles Registered in West-Palm-Beach: 100,000
- Cars registered per Person: 0.9
- No. of Car Washes: 9 in and around the city
- DMV Website for West-Palm-Beach: flhsmv.gov
- The Bike-Friendly Score: 62 of 100
- Local Airport: Palm Beach International
Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.
Perk #5: West-Palm-Beach’s Weather & Natural Factors
- The Most Common Natural Disaster is Hurricanes
- General Weather in West-Palm-Beach is best described as has warm winters with temperatures in the 70s and hot humid summers with occasional thunderstorms
- Winter Weather in West-Palm-Beach i’d describe as warm and humid
- Spring Weather in West-Palm-Beach can be described as warm and humid
- Summer’s in West-Palm-Beach are mostly hot and humid
- Fall ( the nicest time) in West-Palm-Beach is usually warm with scattered showers
- How many days in a row over 90°F: 56 days in summer
- Days in a row in West-Palm-Beach below Freezing: 0
- Average Annual Rainfall: 61 inches
- Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality with some urban effects
- West-Palm-Beach Winter Air mixed air quality with seasonal changes
Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.
Perk #6: West-Palm-Beach Education & Schools
- The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
- Number of Colleges and Universities in West-Palm-Beach 8
- While the number of trade schools inside West-Palm-Beachs’s city limits are 5
- Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Main Library of West Palm Beach
If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.
Perk #7: Healthcare & West-Palm-Beach Stats
- Typical EMS Response Time: 10 minutes
- Registered Full-Time West-Palm-Beach only Doctors is about 160
- Local Hospitals here is 8
- Full-time West-Palm-Beach only Police Officers is about 380
- Crime Rate Index: 40/100
Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.
Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality
- West-Palm-Beach’s Monthly utility bill average is $160
- West-Palm-Beach’s Monthly Gym Membership: $60
- West-Palm-Beach’s Water Quality Score: 78
Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.
Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in West-Palm-Beach
- Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 12 annually
- The General Local City Vibe: urban area known for its cultural institutions and beaches
- You might enjoy performances at the Kravis Center
- Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), West-Palm-Beach offers an exciting nightlife with a vibrant mix of clubs bars dining and cultural hotspots
If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.
Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of West-Palm-Beach
- The Objective Restaurant Scene Offers a variety of international cuisines and local favorites
- The Number of Independent Restaurants are 60 scattered around West-Palm-Beach
- The Popular Sports Team is Wellington High School
- Top Level Political Climate in West-Palm-Beach can be described as politically mixed urban area with focus on social services
- West-Palm-Beach’s Longer standing religious establishment is First United Methodist Church
Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.
Perk #11: West-Palm-Beach Parks & Green Spaces
- Did you know West-Palm-Beach has 70 Parks?
- Rapids Water Park is West-Palm-Beach’s Green Space Center
- The local favorite Farmers Market is West Palm Beach Green Market normally open Saturday 9am-1pm
- Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Beach activities, gardens, and biking
Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.
Perk #12: West-Palm-Beach Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity
- The Pace of Life in West-Palm-Beach can be described as busy urban environment with a strong cultural scene
- 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in West-Palm-Beach beach activities local festivals exploring parks
- The Cities people commute to from West-Palm-Beach are Ft-Lauderdale 43 miles away Boca-Raton 24 miles away Miami 68 miles away
Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.
8 Drawbacks about West-Palm-Beach or are they?
No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.
- Traffic/Commute Issues
Maybe you read: congestion on I-95. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts. - Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
West-Palm-Beach’s Hurricanes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up. - Pricey Neighborhoods
If CityPlace is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby West-Palm-Beach are Ft-Lauderdale 43 miles away Boca-Raton 24 miles away Miami 68 miles away. - Crime Rate Concerns
With a 40 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this. - Harsh Climate Contrasts
West-Palm-Beach has 0 days in a row below freezing and 56 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it. - Limited Extra Funds
After general costs of living here in West-Palm-Beach people have an average (positive or negative) $-6000 in negative cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here. - Homelessness or Social Challenges
2,000 homeless people living in West-Palm-Beach. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions. - Cultural/Political Mismatch
The general politically mixed urban area with focus on social services could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to West-Palm-Beach.
Retiree & Senior Life in West-Palm-Beach
- Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can benefit from homestead exemptions lowering property tax liabilities
- The most established Senior Citizen Community is Brookdale West Palm Beach
- West Palm Beach Senior Center provides health activities meal services and social gatherings
If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.
Moving to West-Palm-Beach, Florida?
If West-Palm-Beach, Florida ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help
As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.
A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around West-Palm-Beach, Florida, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!