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Relocation Guide · Palm Beach County, FL

Moving to Palm Beach County.

Palm Beach County is in southeastern Florida, with about 1.5 million people across 39 municipalities. West Palm Beach is the county seat. Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Boynton Beach are among the larger cities. The county covers 2,034 square miles, Atlantic coast to Lake Okeechobee. Median home price is around $485,000. Average temperature runs about 75°F year-round. Florida has no state income tax.

47 miles of Atlantic coastline, no state income tax, and housing that still beats coastal markets in the Northeast and California on a per-square-foot basis. A lot of serious relocation decisions end up here.

Population
~1.5 Million
Municipalities
39 Cities
Median Home Price
~$485,000
State Income Tax
$0
Avg Temperature
75°F / Year
Coastline
47 Miles
Why People Move Here

Palm Beach County gets a lot of relocators. The reasons aren’t complicated.

Good weather year-round. A job market that’s grown well past tourism. Healthcare options that are genuinely strong. And housing that runs from starter condos to oceanfront estates. There’s something at most price points.

Compared to Miami-Dade, it’s more spread out and easier to live in day-to-day. Quieter, more suburban, less traffic density. But the beaches are still there. The restaurants are good. The Intracoastal runs the length of the county, the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is right to the west, and with 47 miles of Atlantic coastline, you’re rarely more than 30 minutes from open water.

The economy here runs deeper than the resort reputation. Healthcare, finance, technology, and professional services are all major employers now. NextEra Energy, Office Depot, and G4S all have headquarters or significant operations in the county. Boca Raton and Palm Beach Gardens have built out real corporate corridors over the past 15 years.

Prices went up after 2020. That’s true. But per square foot, Palm Beach County still comes out ahead of comparable coastal markets in California, New York, and New England. Stack zero state income tax on top of that and the numbers hold up better than you’d expect at current prices.

Population
~1.5 Million
Municipalities
39 Cities
Median Home Price
~$485,000
State Income Tax
$0
Avg Temperature
75°F / Year
Coastline
47 Miles
Where to Live

8 cities. Very different trade-offs.

City choice in Palm Beach County matters more than most relocators expect. School zones, flood zones, and commute times vary dramatically by address.

Boca Raton

Corporate & Upscale
Price Range
$450K–$5M+

Strong school district, walkable downtown, Mizner Park. Closest city to Broward for those splitting time between counties.

Best for: Executives, families, retireesBrowse listings →

Delray Beach

Arts & Atlantic Ave
Price Range
$350K–$3M+

Atlantic Avenue is genuinely one of the best main streets in South Florida. More approachable prices than Boca just a few miles north.

Best for: Young professionals, active adultsBrowse listings →

Palm Beach Gardens

Corporate Campus & Golf
Price Range
$400K–$4M+

PGA National, The Gardens Mall, and a growing tech and professional services corridor. Quieter and more suburban than the southern cities.

Best for: Families, golf buyers, corporate relocatorsBrowse listings →

West Palm Beach

Urban Core & Waterfront
Price Range
$250K–$3M+

The county seat and only real urban core. Clematis Street, CityPlace, and the Norton Museum. Most price diversity of any city in the county.

Best for: Urban buyers, downsizers, first-timersBrowse listings →

Jupiter

Coastal & Low-Key
Price Range
$450K–$6M+

Natural beauty, Loxahatchee River access, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Less congested than the southern cities with a strong sense of community.

Best for: Families, outdoor enthusiasts, boatersBrowse listings →

Boynton Beach

Value & Established Communities
Price Range
$275K–$1.5M+

One of the more affordable cities with ocean access. Large established 55+ communities. Good access to I-95 and the Turnpike.

Best for: First-time buyers, value-focused familiesBrowse listings →

Wellington

Equestrian & Family
Price Range
$350K–$5M+

The equestrian capital of the world, Winter Equestrian Festival runs Jan–April. Excellent A-rated schools and very family-oriented suburbs.

Best for: Equestrian buyers, families, western-corridor workersBrowse listings →

Lake Worth Beach

Eclectic & Affordable
Price Range
$250K–$900K

One of the most culturally diverse cities in the county. Lake Avenue arts district, ocean access, and some of the most affordable coastal-adjacent pricing.

Best for: Artists, first-time buyers, urban edge seekersBrowse listings →
The Case for Palm Beach County

Six things that drive most relocation decisions here.

No State Income Tax

Florida has no personal income tax. For someone earning $150,000 and moving from New York or California, that's a real number. Often $10,000–$20,000 per year back in your pocket. That math changes what you can afford to buy.

Weather That Actually Delivers

The 75°F average is real. Winters are genuinely mild, Jan and Feb average around 65°F. Summers are hot and humid, and there is a hurricane season (June–November). If you know what you're getting into, the trade-off holds up.

Serious Healthcare Infrastructure

The county has major hospital systems (Bethesda, JFK, Good Samaritan, Jupiter Medical Center) and a strong network of specialists. For retirees or families with medical needs, this matters more than most people research before moving.

47 Miles of Coastline: Actual Beach Access

Most coastal Florida counties have significant stretches that are private or inaccessible. Palm Beach County's public beach access is genuinely good, Singer Island, Delray, Boca, Jupiter, and Juno Beach all have usable public access points.

A Housing Market With Range

From $250K condos in West Palm Beach to $30M oceanfront estates in Manalapan, the county has actual inventory at most price points. That range, combined with the tax advantage, makes it work for more buyers than comparable coastal markets.

Infrastructure Built for Growth

Palm Beach International Airport runs direct flights to most major U.S. cities. Brightline high-speed rail connects West Palm Beach to Miami in under an hour. I-95 and the Turnpike give you road access throughout the region.

Cost of Living

Not cheap. But the numbers are worth understanding.

Palm Beach County isn’t inexpensive. Property taxes are moderate by national standards, state income tax is zero, and day-to-day costs. Groceries, utilities, healthcare. Run lower than major Northeast and West Coast metros. Housing is where the number moves: prices rose sharply after 2020 and haven’t pulled back, but on a per-square-foot basis you’re still below California and New York.

State Income Tax
$0vs. 13.3% in CA, 10.9% in NY
Median Home Price
~$485,000vs. $800K+ in coastal CA/NY
Property Tax Rate
~1.0–1.3%Moderate by national standards
Homestead Exemption
$50,000 off assessedReduces taxable value for primary homes
Home Insurance
$3,500–$8,000/yr avgVaries significantly by flood zone
Avg Electric Bill
$150–$220/moYear-round AC. Budget accordingly
What relocators often miss
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Flood Insurance

If the property is in a FEMA flood zone, you'll need a separate flood policy. Often $1,500–$5,000+ per year. Coastal and Intracoastal properties almost always require it. This is the number most out-of-state buyers don't budget for.

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Homestead Exemption

Florida's homestead exemption reduces your assessed taxable value by $50,000 for a primary residence. You must apply by March 1 of the year following purchase. If you're buying an investment property, you won't qualify.

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HOA Rules Vary Dramatically

Some communities have extensive HOA rules covering paint colors, landscaping, rentals, and pets. Others have minimal restrictions. Review CC&Rs carefully. Especially if you plan to rent the property or run a home-based business.

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Save Our Homes Cap

Florida's SOH cap limits annual assessed-value increases to 3% (or CPI, whichever is lower) for homesteaded properties. This is valuable long-term but doesn't apply to new purchases. Your first-year bill is based on the full purchase price.

Schools

Fifth-largest district in Florida. More options than most counties.

Palm Beach County School District earns a B or higher state grade consistently, and dozens of individual schools are A-rated. For families who want to look past the assigned school, options exist: magnet programs, the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts (genuinely one of the best arts high schools in the country), and IB campuses in several parts of the county. School zone is one of the first things to verify by address before buying.

Magnet / Charter
Dreyfoos School of the Arts
One of the top arts high schools in the U.S.
A
Public
Palm Beach Central High School
Wellington area. Strong academics + athletics
A
Public
Spanish River High School
Boca Raton, IB program, strong college placement
A
Public
Jupiter High School
Jupiter, IB, AICE, strong STEM
A
Magnet
Suncoast High School (STEM)
Nationally ranked STEM magnet, Riviera Beach
A
Private
Benjamin School
Palm Beach Gardens. Top private college prep

School ratings are based on Florida Department of Education grades. Private school data is not state-graded. Verify current zoning with the district at palmbeachschools.org before making any purchase decision based on school access.

Jobs & Economy

Bigger economy than the resort reputation suggests.

Healthcare and social assistance, professional services, education, and retail are all major employment sectors. No state income tax, no corporate income tax on S-corps, and lower overhead than Miami have pulled a steady stream of companies and remote workers out of pricier markets over the past several years.

NextEra Energy

Energy
Juno Beach

Office Depot

Retail / Corporate
Boca Raton

G4S

Security Services
Palm Beach Gardens

Bethesda Health

Healthcare
Boynton Beach

JFK Medical Center

Healthcare
Atlantis

Palm Beach County Schools

Education
Countywide

Cheney Brothers

Food Distribution
Riviera Beach

Florida Crystals

Agriculture / Sugar
West Palm Beach

No State Income Tax

Personal and business income is not taxed at the state level in Florida. For high earners relocating from NY or CA, this is often the biggest financial driver of the move.

Remote Worker Growth

Palm Beach County has seen significant in-migration of remote workers from the Northeast and California since 2020. Infrastructure and housing have followed.

Lower Business Costs Than Miami

Office rents, labor costs, and cost of living in Palm Beach County run below comparable Miami-Dade locations, which has driven corporate office relocation from the south.

Getting Around

Drive-first county. Brightline changes some of that.

Palm Beach County is primarily car-dependent. Commute times are reasonable within the county but can stretch on I-95 during peak hours, particularly north-south between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. Brightline high-speed rail now runs West Palm Beach to Miami in about 55 minutes, which changes the calculus for buyers who commute south occasionally.

West Palm Beach
to Boca Raton
22 mi25 min
Boca Raton
to Fort Lauderdale
22 mi25 min
Palm Beach Gardens
to West Palm Beach
14 mi20 min
Jupiter
to Palm Beach Gardens
14 mi20 min
Wellington
to West Palm Beach
16 mi25 min
West Palm Beach
to Miami
72 mi75 min
PBI Airport
to Boca Raton
21 mi25 min
Brightline WPB
to Brightline Miami
Rail55 min
Transportation Options
Brightline Rail
West Palm Beach → Miami in ~55 min. Stops at Boca Raton. Connects to MIA airport. Expanding to Orlando.
Palm Beach International Airport
Direct flights to 40+ U.S. cities. AA, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue. 30 min from Boca, 15 min from WPB.
I-95
Runs the length of the county north-south. Primary commuter corridor. Congested Boca–WPB during rush hour.
Florida Turnpike
Parallel to I-95, slightly west. Generally faster than I-95 during peak hours. Good for western corridor commuters.
Palm Tran (Bus Transit)
County-wide bus system. Limited frequency outside urban cores. Not a practical commute option for most areas.
Tri-Rail Commuter Rail
Connects West Palm Beach to Miami along the FEC corridor. Useful for airport access, limited frequency.
Free Buyer Representation for Relocators

Moving here from out of state. The details add up fast.

Coming in from out of state, you’re walking into a market where the details matter a lot. Flood zones, insurance costs, HOA rules, school zone lines, and neighborhood trade-offs that take years to learn firsthand. We work with relocating buyers regularly and know the county well enough to give straight answers on all of it. Our buyer representation costs you nothing. The seller covers our commission.

Full County Coverage

We work across all 39 municipalities — from Jupiter to Boca Raton, Wellington to Singer Island — with no referral to a "specialist" in another office.

Flood Zone Review

We pull FEMA flood maps and current insurance estimates for every property you're seriously considering before you make an offer.

School Zone Verification

School zone boundaries don't always match neighborhood boundaries or city limits. We verify the exact assigned school for every address.

HOA Document Review

Florida sellers are required to disclose HOA financials and rules. We walk you through what to look for. Rental restrictions, pet policies, reserve funds.

Insurance Cost Estimation

We work with local insurance agents who can provide pre-purchase estimates so you know what the full monthly cost looks like before you're under contract.

No Pressure on Timeline

Relocating buyers shouldn't be rushed. We know the county well enough to tell you if the inventory is thin and waiting makes sense. Or if you're looking at the right time.

Pure Equity Realty

Making the move?

We help relocating buyers get oriented. Neighborhoods, schools, commutes, and insurance. Before anything gets signed. Buyer representation is free. Call (561) 835-5400 or send us your info.

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