West Palm Beach, FL

Florida · Metropolitan Area

West Palm Beach is a large city in Florida with a population of 119,508. Residents earn $69,261 per year, which is 8% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
119,508 Population 2,218/sq mi density
$69,261 Median Income $44,508 per capita
$369,800 Home Value $396,195 Zillow
$1,709 Median Rent
76°F Avg Temperature 343 sunny days/yr
824 Violent Crime/100K 4,647 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$69,261 median income, 3.5% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.7 / 5.0
$369,800 home value, $1,709/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
824 violent crimes/100K (117% above avg)
A
Education
4.0 / 5.0
37.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $69,261
8% lower than US avg
Home Value $369,800
31% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 824/100K
117% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 37.7%
12% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,709
47% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.6%
8% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.3%
9% lower than US avg

How West Palm Beach Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population119,508
Median Age40.2 yrs
Density2,218/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 44%

Economy

B+
Median Income$69,261
Per Capita$44,508
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty11.3%
County GDP$140,506M
Commute23 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$369,800
Rent$1,709
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$396,195

Crime

F
Violent824/100K
Property4,647/100K
Murder14.6/100K
Assault449/100K
Burglary902/100K

Health

Obesity29.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression16.6%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp76°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain65.2 in/yr
Sunny Days343/yr
Elevation26 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+37.7%
High School+86.4%
School Score5.60

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 50%
Commute23 min
EV Stations107
Libraries33

Is West Palm Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Palm Beach receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates. West Palm Beach offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Palm Beach is $69,261, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West Palm Beach is $369,800, 31% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,709 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 5.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 824 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,647 per 100,000, 137% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 37.7% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 86.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

West Palm Beach has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 76°F. Winters average 68°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. With 343 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 65.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

West Palm Beach has a population of 119,508 with a density of 2,218 people per square mile. The median age is 40.2 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (44%), with 31.5% Black.

Population

119,508
Total Population
2,218
People / sq mi
40.2yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
53.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

West Palm Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only67.8%
14% below US avg
Spanish32.2%
140% above US avg

Social Characteristics

West Palm Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Palm Beach is $69,261, which is 8% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: West Palm Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$69,261
8% below US avg
Per Capita Income$44,508
Avg Weekly Wage$1,485
IRS Avg AGI$176,566

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.3%
9% below US avg
Establishments (County)71,342
County GDP$140,506M

Business (County)

Restaurants3,308
Healthcare6,801
Retail5,605
Manufacturing973

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$15,778
351% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.27%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.2 min
Work from Home12.1%

Walkability

The median home value in West Palm Beach is $369,800, 31% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,709 (47% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $396,195.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$369,800
31% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$396,195
Median List Price$524,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$524,900
$/Sq Ft$330
Homes Sold149
Sale-to-List Ratio95.7%
Price Drops22.0%
Inventory1,275

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,709
47% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,256

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,212
1 Bedroom$1,296
2 Bedrooms$1,526
3 Bedrooms$1,971
4 Bedrooms$2,261

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied50.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$15,778
351% above US avg
Effective Rate4.27%
In West Palm Beach, 29.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 16.6% report depression. 26.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: West Palm Beach vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.6%
8% below US avg
Diabetes12.1%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure31.8%
Asthma10.0%
COPD6.2%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.4%
Physical Inactivity26.5%
Depression16.6%
Mental Distress17.4%
Physical Distress13.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.1%
Checkup Rate76.8%
Premature Death7,624/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access95.9%
Healthcare Facilities6,801
West Palm Beach has a violent crime rate of 824 per 100,000 residents, 117% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,647 per 100,000 (137% above US avg). The murder rate is 14.6 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: West Palm Beach vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent824.1/100K
117% above US avg
Murder14.6/100K
131% above US avg
Rape43.7/100K
Robbery316.4/100K
Assault449.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,647.3/100K
137% above US avg
Burglary901.7/100K
Theft3,462.2/100K
Vehicle Theft283.4/100K
Arson22.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)217

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
West Palm Beach has an average annual temperature of 76°F (24°C). Winters average 68°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 65.2 inches. The area enjoys 343 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

68°F Jan (20°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average75.5°F
40% above US avg
January Average68°F (20°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days343 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall65.2 inches
72% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation26 ft (8 m)
Area53.9 sq mi (139.5 km²)
Population Density2,218/sq mi
Coordinates26.7451°N, 80.1270°W
County FIPS12099
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 37.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (12% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 0.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 49.2%
D 50%

Winner: Democrat by 0.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+37.7%
12% above US avg
High School+86.4%
School Test Score5.60
A Education Grade (4.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,218/sq mi
Total Area53.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations107
Alt Fuel Stations109
Public Libraries33
Healthcare Facilities6,801
Restaurants3,308
Retail Stores5,605

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)217
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.2 min
Work from Home12.1%

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