Moving to Palm Beach County for a job: where do people work, commute and live?

If you are moving to Palm Beach County for a job, choose where to live by working backward from your office and your schedule. The county is long and narrow, so most commutes run north and south on I-95 or Florida's Turnpike, and a home on the same end of the county as your workplace usually matters more than any single neighborhood feature. Florida has no state personal income tax, but property taxes and insurance should be part of your housing budget.

The December 31 Florida Deadline

Moving to Florida for work and wondering how the December 31, 2026 date fits your timeline? Book a quick relocation call with me.

When a new client tells me they are relocating for work, the first question I ask is not about bedrooms. It is "Where is the office, and how many days a week will you be there?" That one answer cuts the map down more than anything else.

Where are the major employment areas in Palm Beach County?

Jobs are spread along the coast rather than packed into one downtown. The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County's top employers list (January 2024 figures) gives a good picture of where they cluster:

• North county: NextEra Energy, the parent company of FPL, is headquartered in Juno Beach. Jupiter Medical Center and Allied Universal's headquarters are in Jupiter. Palm Beach Gardens has its own office corridor along PGA Boulevard.
• Central county: West Palm Beach is home to Palm Beach County government, the Veterans Health Administration medical center and the City of West Palm Beach, plus a growing downtown office and finance scene. The Breakers is a major employer on the island of Palm Beach.
• South county: Boca Raton has Florida Atlantic University, Office Depot's headquarters and NCCI's headquarters, and Baptist Health has a large presence in Boca Raton and Boynton Beach.
• Countywide: The School District of Palm Beach County is the largest employer, and hospital systems such as Tenet and HCA Florida have facilities across the county.

Which finance and tech employers are expanding in Palm Beach County?

The newest wave of jobs is concentrated in downtown West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, with new headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter as well, and it is why so many of my relocation conversations now start with an office address near Flagler Drive or CityPlace.

• Downtown West Palm Beach ("Wall Street South"): Since 2022, downtown has added offices for financial firms including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Elliott Management and Point72, with buildings such as 360 Rosemary and One Flagler home to major tenants. In early 2026, Wells Fargo announced it is moving senior leadership of its wealth and investment management division downtown.
• CityPlace: ServiceNow, the California-based AI software company, is the anchor tenant of the 10 CityPlace tower. Its regional innovation hub is expected to open in 2028, with plans for more than 850 jobs over five years.
• Boca Raton: D-Wave Quantum is moving its corporate headquarters from Palo Alto to the Boca Raton Innovation Campus by the end of 2026.
• Palm Beach Gardens: AMPERA, an advanced nuclear energy company, opened its world headquarters at PGA National Commerce Park in April 2026 and is hiring as it grows. See working in Palm Beach Gardens: where to live.
• Jupiter: Voloridge Investment Management, a quantitative investment firm headquartered in Jupiter, has acquired property at Harbourside Place and announced plans to add up to 200 high-tech jobs. See working in Jupiter or Juno Beach: where to live.

If your new office is downtown, many buyers look north to Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach and Jupiter for more space, golf, waterfront or new construction, then test the I-95 drive at rush hour before they commit. If your office is in Boca Raton, start with Boca Raton, Delray Beach and northern Broward County.

How do people commute in Palm Beach County?

Most people drive. The two main north-south routes are I-95, which runs closer to the coast, and Florida's Turnpike, which runs farther west. East-west roads such as PGA Boulevard, Northlake Boulevard, Okeechobee Boulevard, Southern Boulevard, Glades Road and Yamato Road connect neighborhoods to those highways.

Rail is a real option if you work near a station:

• Tri-Rail commuter trains stop in Palm Beach County at Mangonia Park, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Boca Raton, and continue south into Broward and Miami-Dade.
• Brightline has two Palm Beach County stations: downtown West Palm Beach (501 Evernia Street) and downtown Boca Raton (101 NW 4th Street, next to the library and across from Mizner Park).

What I tell clients: drive your commute at rush hour before you buy. A route that takes a few minutes on a Sunday can look very different at 8 a.m. on a weekday, especially near interchanges.

Where do people live relative to where they work?

A simple rule works for most of my clients: live on the same end of the county as the job, then choose the lifestyle within that end.

• Working in Jupiter, Juno Beach or Palm Beach Gardens: Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, North Palm Beach and Tequesta keep the drive short. Some people also look north into Martin County (Stuart, Palm City, Hobe Sound) for a different pace.
• Working in West Palm Beach: Downtown and nearby West Palm Beach neighborhoods, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens to the north and Wellington to the west are common choices. The Tri-Rail and Brightline stations make downtown reachable without a car for some.
• Working in Boca Raton or Delray Beach: Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach are close, and some commute from northern Broward County.
• Hybrid or remote: If you only go in a day or two a week, you have more room to choose by lifestyle: waterfront, golf, new construction or a walkable downtown.

If you are torn between the two north county favorites, my Jupiter vs Palm Beach Gardens cost-to-own comparison lays out the numbers, and my guide to Lake Worth Beach, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach covers the south-central coast.

What does "no state income tax" really mean for your budget?

Florida does not tax personal income at the state level, so your paycheck is not reduced by a state income tax the way it may be in New York, New Jersey, Illinois or California. Federal income tax still applies.

The costs to plan for instead are tied to the house:

• Property taxes, which depend on the assessed value and any exemptions. If the home is your permanent residence, you can apply for the homestead exemption, which also caps how much your assessed value can rise each year.
• Homeowners and flood insurance, which vary a lot by roof, windows, location and flood zone. My guides to the 4-point inspection and the wind mitigation inspection explain two reports insurers look at.
• HOA dues, and in some newer communities, CDD assessments on the tax bill.

Florida voters approved Amendment 3 on November 3, 2026, and being a Florida resident by December 31, 2026 affects when you qualify for its larger homestead exemption. My Amendment 3 explainer has the details.

Homestead is based on owning and living in the home on January 1, so a buyer who wants the exemption for 2027 needs to close by December 31, 2026. Here is how buyers close before year end.

How should you plan a home search around a job start date?

Job moves often come with a fixed start date and a short window. Here is the order that works:

• Get pre-approved early, and if your employer offers relocation benefits, ask what they cover (closing costs, temporary housing, movers) so you can plan around them.
• Own a home where you live now? Decide early whether you will sell first or buy first. My guide on buying before you sell walks through the options.
• Map your office first, then pick two or three areas within a commute you can live with.
• Tour by video, then visit once with a short list.
• Consider a short-term rental if your start date comes before you find the right home. It is better than rushing into the wrong one.

For the full step-by-step calendar, from 90 days out to homestead filing, see my out-of-state relocation timeline.

What should you ask your employer and your agent before you choose an area?

• How many days a week will I be in the office, and could that change?
• Will I travel often? (Palm Beach International Airport is in West Palm Beach.)
• Is there parking near the office, or would rail work better?
• What will this specific home cost to insure, and what are its taxes and HOA fees?
• How does traffic on this route look at the hours I will drive it?

More guides for buyers relocating to Palm Beach County

• How to establish Florida residency the year you relocate
• Working in Palm Beach Gardens: where to live
• Working in downtown West Palm Beach: where to live for a short commute
• Working in Jupiter or Juno Beach: Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Tequesta or Martin County?
• Working in Boca Raton: Boca, Delray or northern Broward?
• Moving from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut for work
• Moving from California for work
• Jupiter or Palm Beach Gardens: which costs more to own in 2026?
• Avenir new construction or Palm Beach Gardens resale: which is better?
• Which Avenir builder is right for you?
• What to look for in a waterfront home in Palm Beach County
• What happens after your offer is accepted in Florida?
• Closing before year end in Palm Beach County
• Area guides: Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and Martin County

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main commuter routes in Palm Beach County?

I-95 and Florida's Turnpike carry most north-south traffic, connected by east-west roads like PGA Boulevard, Okeechobee Boulevard and Glades Road. Tri-Rail and Brightline offer rail options for people working near their stations.

Where are the Brightline stations in Palm Beach County?

Brightline stops in downtown West Palm Beach at 501 Evernia Street and in downtown Boca Raton at 101 NW 4th Street, next to the library and across from Mizner Park.

Does Florida have a state income tax?

Florida has no state personal income tax, though federal income tax still applies. Budget instead for property taxes, homeowners and flood insurance, and any HOA or CDD fees.

Where should I live if I work in north Palm Beach County?

Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, North Palm Beach and Tequesta keep commutes short to employers in Juno Beach, Jupiter and along PGA Boulevard. Some people also look north into Martin County.

Which companies are bringing new jobs to Palm Beach County?

Downtown West Palm Beach has added offices for financial firms such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Elliott Management and Point72, and Wells Fargo is moving wealth management leadership there. ServiceNow is the anchor tenant of 10 CityPlace, and D-Wave Quantum is moving its headquarters to Boca Raton by the end of 2026.

Published: October 16, 2026 | Updated: November 4, 2026

Updated: October 19, 2026