West Palm Beach 85 Exceptional
West Palm Beach Livability #23 ranked city in Florida#477 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas

West Palm Beach, FL - The Orchid City

West Palm Beach, Florida, known as "The Orchid City," is a vibrant and dynamic city located on Florida's Atlantic coast. With its stunning waterfront, thriving arts scene, and strong local economy, West Palm Beach offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of natural beauty and modern amenities makes living in West Palm Beach an attractive option for families, professionals, and retirees.

Residents of West Palm Beach enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, beaches, and cultural institutions provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities and enrichment. The Norton Museum of Art and the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts are cultural highlights that offer residents access to world-class visual and performing arts. The annual SunFest and the Palm Beach International Boat Show are events that celebrate the city's vibrant community sp...

West Palm Beach's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including tourism, healthcare, and finance. The city's strategic location near major highways and transportation hubs provides residents with easy access to job opportunities throughout the South Florida region. Major employers in the area include Tenet Healthcare and the City of West Palm Beach.

The cost of living in West Palm Beach is relatively affordable compared to other parts of South Florida, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market includes a variety of options, from waterfront condos to single-family homes in suburban neighborhoods. The city's strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere further enhance its appeal.

Public transportation in West Palm Beach is well-developed, with access to Palm Tran buses and the Tri-Rail commuter train, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. West Palm Beach's climate features hot, humid summers and mild winters, allowing for year-round outdoor activities. Overall, West Palm Beach offers a blend of natural beauty, economic opportunity, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.

Pros and Cons of Living in West Palm Beach

PROS
  • Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Nothing Found

    None of the categories scored poorly, resulting in no identified cons for this area.

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What's it like Living in West Palm Beach?

West Palm Beach, Florida is a mid-sized city with a population of 111,006 residents. West Palm Beach is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (56%) and Black or African American (34%). Single men and women might be happy to hear that in West Palm Beach, only 44% of the population is married. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make West Palm Beach your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 24 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in West Palm Beach can be a good experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Florida, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around West Palm Beach, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, health & safety, employment, housing and more.

West Palm Beach has a livability score of 80 out of 100 and is ranked #87 in Florida and #1,276 in the USA. This is a great score, as West Palm Beach ranks well in multiple categories! West Palm Beach has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. West Palm Beach ranks well for amenities (A-) and housing (A-) On a more negative note, West Palm Beach does not have favorable ranks for the following: crime (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in West Palm Beach, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in West Palm Beach undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Palm Beach Segway Tours and Scooter Rentals, CityPlace, and CityPlace.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in West Palm Beach can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in West Palm Beach. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in West Palm Beach are affordable. Median real estate prices in West Palm Beach come in at $263,400, which is 57.9% higher than the Florida average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In West Palm Beach, the home price to income ratio is 4.8, which is 41.2% higher than the Florida average.

Best Places to Live in and Around West Palm Beach

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How Do You Rate The Livability In West Palm Beach?

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Compare West Palm Beach, FL Livability

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      West Palm Beach transportation information

      Statistic West Palm Beach Florida National
      Average one way commute24min27min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.1%79.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.4%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.0%2.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.3%1.5%2.8%
      Working from home7.5%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The West Palm Beach, FL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).