West Palm Beach vs Boca Raton: Where to Buy

House, condo and bedroom prices in each city

Single-family homes have a typical value of $471,470 in West Palm Beach and $766,524 in Boca Raton. Condos are $208,061 and $285,174. By bedroom count:

• 1 bedroom: West Palm Beach $152,871, Boca Raton $117,837. Boca is cheaper here, likely because of its large stock of older one-bedroom condos.
• 2 bedrooms: $251,333 vs $294,724.
• 3 bedrooms: $470,695 vs $644,995, about $174,300 apart.
• 4 bedrooms: $674,736 vs $1,010,108.
• 5+ bedrooms: $917,857 vs $2,394,022.

The spread widens with every bedroom. At the top, Boca's upper third starts near $1,405,526, while West Palm Beach's starts around $777,649. At the bottom, the lower third ends at $210,711 in West Palm Beach and $266,193 in Boca, so even entry-level Boca costs more, apart from that one-bedroom condo niche.

Recent direction: Boca houses up, West Palm condos down

Five-year growth is almost the same: West Palm Beach up 33.4%, Boca Raton up 31.8%. Over the last year they separate. Boca rose 4.9% overall and 6.8% for single-family homes. West Palm Beach rose 2.4% overall and 2.0% for houses.

Condos split the most. Boca condo values are up 1.3% over the year; West Palm Beach condos are down 4.3%. For a condo buyer, West Palm Beach currently offers more negotiating room, while Boca houses have been the firmest segment in this pair. None of that predicts the next year, but it does shape how hard you can push on price in each city right now.

Population, age and the kind of housing you'll find

West Palm Beach is the larger city, with about 122,290 residents to Boca Raton's 100,234, per Census data. It also skews younger:

• Median age: 41.1 in West Palm Beach, 46.0 in Boca Raton.
• Residents 65+: 21.5% vs 24.6%.
• Seasonal homes: 6.8% vs 9.5% of units.
• Units in buildings with 10+ units: 38.5% vs 42.5%.
• Single-family detached: 38.4% vs 41.7%.
• Median year built: 1988 vs 1983.

Both cities have low seasonal shares for coastal Florida, which means mostly year-round neighbors. Both are split between condos and detached houses in similar proportions. The difference is less about housing type and more about what each type costs: a 1980s condo in Boca and a 1980s condo in West Palm Beach are similar buildings with different price tags.

Property taxes after you buy in either city

Both cities are in Palm Beach County, but city millage rates differ, so two homes at the same price can carry different tax bills. Whatever the seller pays today is a poor guide: in Florida the assessed value resets to market value after a sale, so a long-time owner's low bill will not carry over to you.

If the home will be your permanent residence, file for the homestead exemption, worth up to $51,411 off assessed value in 2026, and future increases on that assessment are capped at 3% or CPI. Second-home buyers, including Canadians who are not permanent Florida residents, get no exemption and a 10% annual cap on non-school levies. On a Boca house at the typical $766,524, that difference shows up quickly, so ask me for a tax estimate built on your purchase price, not the current bill.

Getting around: airport, rail and highways

West Palm Beach has Palm Beach International Airport inside the city, which matters if you travel often or have family flying in. Boca Raton buyers usually use PBI or Fort Lauderdale's airport, depending on the destination and fares.

Both cities have Brightline stations, so you can ride between them, to Fort Lauderdale and Miami, or north to Orlando without driving. Tri-Rail commuter trains also serve both. I-95 runs through both cities, with Florida's Turnpike to the west. For buyers who commute to Broward or Miami-Dade, Boca's location at the south end of Palm Beach County shortens the trip.

Condo buildings and insurance: what to check in either city

With roughly four in ten homes in larger buildings in each city, many buyers here end up looking at condos built in the 1970s and 1980s. Before you sign, get the association's milestone inspection report if the building is three or more stories and past 30 years, the Structural Integrity Reserve Study, the current budget and any special assessments voted or under discussion. Since 2025, resale condo buyers in Florida have 7 days after receiving the documents to cancel, so use that window to actually read them.

For houses, ask for the roof's permit date and get a wind mitigation inspection. Check the FEMA flood zone of the exact address. Homes east of I-95 near the Intracoastal in both cities are more likely to be in zones where a lender will require flood insurance.

Who each city fits

West Palm Beach fits buyers who want more home for the money, an urban downtown with restaurants and nightlife near the waterfront, an airport inside the city, and a younger mix of neighbors. A three-bedroom house costs about $174,000 less than in Boca on typical values, and condos currently trade at a softer price.

Boca Raton fits buyers with a larger budget who want a polished suburban city, planned shopping and dining areas such as Mizner Park, Florida Atlantic University nearby, and an easier commute south into Broward. Houses have held value most firmly here over the last year.

Tell me how many bedrooms you need and what you'd spend, and I'll build a shortlist that shows what that budget buys in each city.