West Palm Beach wins overall by ~5% (COL index)
Cost of living: Miami vs West Palm Beach (2026)
A $60,500 salary in Miami buys roughly what $57,549 does in West Palm Beach (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$1,679/yr
Favoring West Palm Beach for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $140/mo in West Palm Beach, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Miami Florida | West Palm Beach Florida | Who wins | Your impact at $61K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $2,000 | $1,900Better | WPB wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in WPB |
| 1BR rent/mo | $2,500 | $2,400Better | WPB wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in WPB |
| 2BR rent/mo | $3,500 | $3,200Better | WPB wins −$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in WPB |
| Median home price | $620K | $500KWins | WPB wins −$120K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 105Better | 106 | Miami wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $16Better | $16 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $112Better | $112 | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.50Better | $3.50 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $215Better | $215 | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $185Better | $200 | Miami wins +$15/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $70Better | $70 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $58K | $63KBetter | WPB wins +$5K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Better | 7.0% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00Better | $16.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $45Better | $46 | Miami wins +$1/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Better | $7.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 123 | 117Better | WPB wins -6 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 78Wins | 55 | Miami wins -23 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
West Palm Beach fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in West Palm Beach.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Miami cheaper than West Palm Beach?
No. West Palm Beach is 5% cheaper than Miami based on overall cost of living indices (117 vs 123, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Miami vs West Palm Beach?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Miami is $2,500/month and in West Palm Beach is $2,400/month. Miami is more expensive by 4%.
How much do I need to earn in West Palm Beach to match a $75,000 salary in Miami?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $71,341/year in West Palm Beach to match a $75,000 salary in Miami. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Miami or West Palm Beach?
West Palm Beach has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. West Palm Beach has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Miami to West Palm Beach?
It depends on your priorities. West Palm Beach offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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