Moving and neighborhoods
Moving to West Palm Beach as a renter
West Palm Beach has about 127,000 people, and about half its homes are rented, with a Census median gross rent of $1,772 a month. Downtown apartments sit near both the Brightline and Tri-Rail stations, and older houses fill historic districts like Northwood, Flamingo Park and El Cid. Commutes are shorter here than in Broward or Miami-Dade, at an average of 23 minutes one way.
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Quick answer
- Population about 127,200. About half of homes are renter-occupied.
- Median gross rent $1,772, below the Palm Beach County median of $1,916.
- Average one-way commute 23.4 minutes, shorter than in Broward or Miami-Dade.
- Brightline and Tri-Rail both stop in town. Palm Beach, across the water, is a separate town.
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West Palm Beach by the numbers
| Topic | West Palm Beach | Palm Beach County |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,189 | 1,575,726 |
| Median gross rent | $1,772 | $1,916 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 50.5% | 70.1% |
| Median household income | $73,446 | $83,581 |
| Average commute, one way | 23.4 minutes | 26.5 minutes |
Palm Beach County is an owners' county, at 70%. West Palm Beach is where its apartments cluster.
Where renters look first
- Downtown. Apartment buildings around Clematis Street and Rosemary Square, walkable to the waterfront and both train stations.
- Northwood. North of downtown, with older houses, small apartment buildings and the shops of Northwood Village.
- Flamingo Park. A historic district of older homes on higher ground south of downtown.
- El Cid. Along the Intracoastal south of downtown, mostly single-family homes and a step up in price.
- West of I-95. Newer complexes and gated communities, more space for the money, and more driving.
The town of Palm Beach sits on the island across the Lake Worth Lagoon. It shares the name, not the city government, and its rentals are a separate and much pricier market. Lake Worth Beach, Riviera Beach and Greenacres border the city and show up in the same searches too. Each is its own city, so read the address, not the label on the listing.
Getting around
Brightline's West Palm Beach station is downtown, with trains south to Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura and Miami and north to Orlando. Tri-Rail also stops in West Palm Beach, on the way between Mangonia Park and Miami. For a job in Boca or Fort Lauderdale, a home near a station can replace a long I-95 drive. Compare the options in commuting in South Florida.
Season and the historic districts
Older homes in the historic districts have charm and older systems. Ask the age of the roof and the air conditioner, how the windows are protected in a storm, and who handles the shutters. Then look up the flood zone and the evacuation zone, which can differ between the lagoon's edge and the higher ground a few blocks inland.
If the rental is a condo or sits in an HOA, ask how long tenant approval takes. Seasonal demand also matters here. A furnished winter rental and a 12-month lease are different markets with different prices, explained in seasonal vs. annual leases. Owners who let furnished homes from January to April often look for year-round tenants once the season ends, so spring tends to bring more 12-month choices.
Questions people ask
What is the median rent in West Palm Beach?
Renters there paid a median of $1,772 a month in the Census for 2020 to 2024. Downtown buildings and new listings usually ask more.
Can I commute from West Palm Beach to Miami by train?
Yes. Brightline and Tri-Rail both run from West Palm Beach to Miami. Brightline is faster and costs more.
Is West Palm Beach the same as Palm Beach?
No. Palm Beach is a separate town on the barrier island across the Lake Worth Lagoon.
Free help from Rentvana
A licensed agent can shortlist West Palm Beach homes around your commute and book the tours.
Renters never pay Rentvana. A licensed agent replies within 1 hour, 8am to 9pm.
Questions first? Call 888-601-8344 or email hello@rentvana.com.
Words in this guide
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: West Palm Beach city, Floridacensus.gov
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Palm Beach County, Floridacensus.gov
- Brightline: Brightline opens new stations in Boca Raton and Aventura (December 20, 2022)gobrightline.com
- Discover The Palm Beaches: Tri-Rail in The Palm Beaches, stations and ticketsthepalmbeaches.com
- Florida Division of Emergency Management: Know Your Zonefloridadisaster.org
Checked against these sources on by Rentvana Editorial. If something has changed, email hello@rentvana.com and we'll fix it.
Questions?
Call 888-601-8344 to talk to a licensed agent, or email hello@rentvana.com and one gets back to you within 1 hour, 8am to 9pm. Renters never pay Rentvana.