West Palm Beach, FL Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in West Palm Beach, FL: What You Need to Know

West Palm Beach is the seat of Palm Beach County in southeastern Florida. Don’t confuse it with its neighbor Palm Beach. Both are located in the same county, but they are separated by a lagoon called Lake Worth.

Tourist Attractions in West Palm Beach, FL

Bring the family to Manatee Lagoon for a closer look at the gentle manatees, which could weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Docents guide visitors on walking tours of the facility’s exhibits and provide information about manatees and the Lake Worth ecosystem. The Norton Museum of Art boasts of a collection of more than 8,200 works including masterpieces such as Jackson Pollock's “Night Mist” and Stuart Davis's “New York Mural.” 

Shopping in West Palm Beach, FL

West Palm Beach is a shopper’s paradise with world-class retail districts, namely Rosemary Square (formerly known as CityPlace), Clematis Street, and Antique Row. Rosemary Square is an indoor and outdoor mall with more than 60 stores and services and 600,000 square feet of retail space. If you’re looking for something unique, head over to Antique Row, with over 40 stores offering decorative period pieces and other vintage items. Clematis Street is the city’s original shopping destination in the heart of downtown. Don’t miss Clematis by Night, an outdoor event with live music and food.

Who Founded West Palm Beach, FL?

Florida railroad magnate Henry M. Flagler founded West Palm Beach as a commercial and residential center to support his hotels. The city was incorporated in November 1894. Flagler visited the Lake Worth area in 1892 to scout for a route to extend his railroad. He bought land in the area for a resort town, which became Palm Beach, and developed a settlement for workers across Lake Worth, which became West Palm Beach. 

Is it Cheaper to Live in West Palm Beach, FL than in Palm Beach?

On paper, the cost of living rate in West Palm Beach (population: 111,955) is comparable to Palm Beach. But keep in mind that Palm Beach is one of the five richest cities in Florida. In West Palm Beach, the cost of living rate and housing costs are 10.1% and 15.1% higher than the national average respectively. At least, food cost is 10.4% lower than the national average. The median gross rent is $1,303. Florida doesn’t collect income tax, but it charges 6% to 8.50% in sales tax.

Does West Palm Beach Get a Lot of Hurricanes?

Florida as a whole (not West Palm Beach specifically) is the most hurricane-prone state in the country. On Sept. 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma struck southeast Florida, including Palm Beach County. The hurricane brought winds of about 65 miles per hour in most of the county, resulting in widespread damage to trees and property. Irma’s total damage in Palm Beach County was estimated at $300 million.