salaryRent is higher than in 76% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $87,520 a year. That is $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Florida cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Florida. It is number 318 of 479 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in West Palm Beach?
Share of households by yearly income. 25.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in West Palm Beach
| Size | West Palm Beach | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,518 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,748 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,921 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,058 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,497 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is West Palm Beach overall?
Everyday prices in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area are 14% above the U.S. average (index 114.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in West Palm Beach
Life in West Palm Beach
What jobs pay in West Palm Beach
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $160,320 | 16.4% |
| Pharmacist | $135,210 | 19.4% |
| Software Developer | $132,650 | 19.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,360 | 19.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,340 | 20.0% |
| Operations Manager | $105,640 | 24.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,650 | 25.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $91,380 | 28.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $83,750 | 31.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,780 | 31.7% |
| Accountant | $80,920 | 32.4% |
| Police Officer | $79,840 | 32.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $78,990 | 33.2% |
| Firefighter | $75,710 | 34.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,610 | 41.9% |
| Electrician | $58,630 | 44.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $58,300 | 45.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,040 | 45.2% |
| Plumber | $57,760 | 45.5% |
| Truck Driver | $51,580 | 50.9% |
| Carpenter | $51,570 | 50.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,930 | 58.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,560 | 66.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,580 | 68.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,010 | 69.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,920 | 71.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,070 | 72.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,330 | 76.5% |
| Cashier | $30,250 | 86.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in West Palm Beach?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $686 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $414,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $41,420 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in West Palm Beach, FL?
Renting in West Palm Beach costs a median of about $2,188 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Florida median is $1,963.
How much do I need to make to live in West Palm Beach?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $87,520 a year, or $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is West Palm Beach cheap or expensive?
West Palm Beach is rated Expensive: rent takes 33.1% of the typical household income of $79,212. It ranks 318th cheapest of 479 Florida cities we track.
How much are property taxes in West Palm Beach?
The median homeowner in West Palm Beach pays $3,862 a year in property taxes, about 0.93% of the median home value.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in West Palm Beach?
The median home value in West Palm Beach is $414,200, about 5.2 times the typical yearly household income.
122,290 people live in West Palm Beach. Numbers are typical (middle) values.