Jupiter opens Fire Station 10 ahead of town's historic fire rescue launch this fall
Jupiter opens Fire Station 10 ahead of its historic fall launch of Jupiter Fire Rescue, its own municipal fire service.
Cost of Living in Palm Beach, Florida
If you're considering a move to Palm Beach, the most important question is: what does it actually cost to live here? The Palm Beach has compiled the full picture — housing, taxes, utilities, transportation, groceries, healthcare — so you can plan accurately. Updated for 2026.
Quick summary
Estimated annual cost for a family of 4 in Palm Beach
$100,000-$200,000+ (Town); $70-100k (County)
Town of Palm Beach: very high; Palm Beach County overall: moderate-to-high
Housing costs
Median home prices
Median home priceTown: $3M+; County: $475,000-$700,000
Median rent (2-bedroom)Town: $4,500+; County: $2,200-$3,500
Property tax rate1.0-1.4%
HOA fees (typical)(varies)
Palm Beach Town is among the wealthiest US zip codes. Palm Beach County overall is much more accessible — West Palm Beach and surrounding cities offer broader housing options.
Taxes
State income tax0% (Texas/Florida)
Sales tax (state + local)~8%
Property tax rate1.0-1.4%
Vehicle registration (annual)$50-$100
Tax burden is moderate. Florida has no state income tax, balanced by property and sales taxes.
Utilities
Electricity (monthly avg)$120-$200
Water + sewer (monthly)$40-$80
Natural gas (monthly)$20-$50
Internet (100Mbps+)$60-$90
Trash + recycling (monthly)$15-$25
Transportation
Average commute~20-40 min typical for Palm Beach commutes
Gas price (per gallon)$2.80-$3.40
Public transit (monthly pass)Limited; car typically required
Car insurance (annual avg)$1,300-$2,000
A car is typically required for daily life in Palm Beach.
Groceries and food
Family of 4 groceries (monthly)$900-$1,200
Average restaurant meal (2 people)$40-$80
Cost-of-groceries index (US=100)95-105
Healthcare
Primary care visit (no insurance)$120-$200
Avg family health insurance (employer)$22,000-$26,000/year
Out-of-pocket maximums (typical)$8,000-$15,000
Childcare and education
Daycare (monthly, infant)$1,000-$1,400
Preschool (monthly, 4yo)$700-$1,100
Public school (free)Tax-funded
Private school (annual avg)$8,000-$20,000
How Palm Beach compares
Town of Palm Beach is in a different cost stratosphere; Palm Beach County overall is comparable to other South Florida metros.
Bottom line
Define your terms: Town of Palm Beach is for the wealthy. Palm Beach County overall offers a range of affordable-to-luxury options.
Related guides
Complete Palm Beach guide
Palm Beach pros and cons
Best real estate agents
Best doctors in Palm Beach
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