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Moving to Palm Beach County, FL: What to Know in 2026
Home prices by town, taxes and insurance, schools, getting around and how to pick the right corner of the county, from the Meyer Lucas Team.
Thinking about moving to Palm Beach County? You're in good company. Palm Beach County stretches across 47 miles of Atlantic coastline and 39 cities, towns and villages, from Jupiter and Tequesta at the north end to Boca Raton at the south, with horse country, lake towns and farmland out west. About 1.56 million people call it home, and every one of those towns has its own pace, price point and personality.
We work with relocating buyers all the time, and the same questions come up again and again: Where should I live? What do homes cost? How bad is insurance? How do I get around? Here's what you need to know before you pack the truck.
Palm Beach County is big enough that "where in the county" matters more than almost any other decision you'll make. A Jupiter address and a Boca Raton address are about an hour apart, and they feel like different places. Here's the quick tour, north to south.
North County. Jupiter, Tequesta, Juno Beach, North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens are where the beaches stay quieter, the boating culture runs deep and golf is everywhere. This is our home turf. If North County is on your list, start with our guides to moving to Jupiter and Jupiter vs. Palm Beach Gardens. For Palm Beach Gardens specifics, see Palm Beach Gardens home prices and whether Palm Beach Gardens is a good place to live.
Central County. West Palm Beach is the county's downtown, with high-rise condos on the Intracoastal, Clematis Street and a fast-growing finance and business scene. Across the bridge, the Town of Palm Beach is the island of Worth Avenue and oceanfront estates. Lake Worth Beach and Lantana bring an artsy, small-town feel and some of the most approachable prices near the water. For West Palm Beach specifics, see West Palm Beach home prices and what it's like to live there.
South County. Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Boca Raton sit closest to Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Delray's Atlantic Avenue is one of the liveliest downtown strips in South Florida, and Boca blends a polished downtown with major golf and country club communities.
The Western Communities. Wellington is horse country, home to the Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs January 6 through April 4, 2027. Out here you'll find larger lots, ranch properties and newer master-planned communities.
Want the side-by-side version? Our guide to the best neighborhoods in Palm Beach County breaks down each area by price and lifestyle.
The countywide median single-family sale price was $660,090 in July 2026, and condos and townhomes came in at $312,500, according to MIAMI REALTORS market data. Prices swing hard from town to town, though. Here are second-quarter 2026 single-family medians for some of the most searched places:
Small towns like Juno Beach, Tequesta and North Palm Beach only see a handful of sales each quarter, so their medians jump around a lot. A quick call with us will tell you more than any one quarter's number. For a closer look at the north end, see how much it costs to buy a home in Jupiter, and if you're open to something brand new, browse new construction communities in Palm Beach County.
No state income tax. This is the headline for a lot of people moving from New York, New Jersey, Illinois and California, and it's a big reason the county keeps growing.
Property taxes. Your bill combines county, school, district and city rates, so it changes depending on where you buy. If the home is your permanent residence, the homestead exemption takes up to $51,411 off its assessed value for 2026, and the Save Our Homes cap limits how much that assessed value can rise each year. File by March 1.
Amendment 3. On November 3, 2026, Florida voters will decide Amendment 3, which would raise the homestead exemption from non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028 and cut the cap on non-homestead assessment increases from 10% to 5%. As currently written, people who become residents after December 31, 2026 would get the larger exemption starting in their fifth year, so timing your move could matter. The Property Appraiser's calculator shows what it would mean for a specific home.
Homeowners insurance. The average Palm Beach County premium was $6,323 a year in the state's July 2026 Property Insurance Stability Report, down slightly from January. A newer roof, impact windows and a home built to current wind codes make the biggest difference, so get quotes before you write an offer.
Palm Beach County's biggest employers include the School District, Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach County government, NextEra Energy and Florida Power & Light, and the county's hospital systems. Finance has been the big story for the last few years. Wells Fargo announced in January 2026 that it's moving its Wealth & Investment Management headquarters to West Palm Beach, and investment firm Voloridge is expanding in Jupiter at Harbourside Place. Our Wall Street South guide covers why so many executives are making the move.
I-95, Florida's Turnpike and US-1 run the length of the county, and most daily drives happen on those three. Brightline's high-speed trains stop in West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, with service to Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando, and Tri-Rail connects the county to Broward and Miami-Dade.
The county's main airport is now President Donald J. Trump International Airport. It was renamed from Palm Beach International on July 9, 2026, and its airport code changed from PBI to DJT. It sits right next to downtown West Palm Beach, which makes for an easy trip from almost anywhere in the county.
Plan for traffic in season. From about January through March, snowbirds and visitors fill the roads, restaurants and golf courses. Our snowbird season guide covers what changes and what's worth the crowds.
The School District of Palm Beach County earned an A for the 2025–26 school year and is one of the largest districts in the country, with roughly 190,000 students including charter schools. Many neighborhoods in North County are zoned for A-rated schools, and the county also has a deep bench of private schools and choice and magnet programs. School zones can change, so always confirm the assigned schools for a specific address with the district before you buy.
Winters are the reward. January averages a high around 75 degrees and a low around 58, while August runs about 90 and 77 with plenty of afternoon storms. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Most newer homes are built to Florida's current wind codes, and impact windows, a newer roof and a generator are all worth asking about when you buy, both for peace of mind and for insurance savings. If you're eyeing a home on the water, read our guide to buying a waterfront home in Palm Beach County first.
Weekends here fill up fast. The West Palm Beach GreenMarket, named the No. 1 farmers market in the country by USA TODAY 10Best in 2026, runs Saturdays from October 3, 2026 through May 22, 2027. Every February and March, the Cardinals and Marlins hold spring training at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Abacoa, and the PGA Tour rolls into PGA National for the Cognizant Classic, February 25–28, 2027. In between, locals catch sunset at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, walk the Juno Beach Pier at sunrise and grab dinner on the water just about anywhere along the Intracoastal.
Is Palm Beach County a good place to live?
For a lot of people, yes. You get 47 miles of coastline, no state income tax, an A-rated school district, a growing job market and mild winters. The trade-offs are higher home prices than much of Florida, insurance costs and seasonal traffic.
How much does it cost to buy a home in Palm Beach County?
The countywide median single-family sale price was $660,090 in July 2026, and condos and townhomes sold for a median of $312,500. Prices vary widely by town, from about $520,000 in Lake Worth Beach to more than $1 million in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens and Boca Raton.
What is the best area of Palm Beach County to live in?
It depends on what you want day to day. North County towns like Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens are known for beaches, boating and golf; West Palm Beach offers downtown living; Delray Beach and Boca Raton are closest to Fort Lauderdale and Miami; and Wellington is the place for equestrian life.
Does Palm Beach County have a state income tax?
No. Florida has no state income tax. Homeowners pay property taxes, and a homestead exemption of up to $51,411 for 2026 reduces the taxable value of a primary residence.
What airport serves Palm Beach County?
President Donald J. Trump International Airport (DJT) in West Palm Beach, formerly Palm Beach International (PBI). It was renamed on July 9, 2026.
We've helped buyers from all over the country land in the right corner of Palm Beach County, and we'd love to do the same for you. Tell us what your perfect week looks like, whether that's boat days, tee times or walking to dinner, and we'll match you with the towns and neighborhoods that fit. Start with our Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens guides, then give us a call.
The Meyer Lucas Team serves buyers, sellers, relocators and investors throughout Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Juno Beach, Tequesta, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Stuart, Hobe Sound and Palm City.
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