10 Best Places to Live in Palm Beach County, FL

How would you like to spend your days? Playing golf on some of the nation’s best courses, swimming in the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean, or indulging in your passion for art at a museum or art walk? You don’t need to pick one or the other when you live in Palm Beach County, Florida. All these and more are part of what makes living here incredible!

The natural beauty and treasure trove of amenities lure the nation’s wealthiest people to live in this section of Florida. But you don’t have to be a billionaire to call Palm Beach County home. Over 1.4 million people have discovered the charms of South Florida, and you can be one of them!

With 39 cities and towns, 15 entertainment districts, and 47 miles of beaches to explore, you can find the perfect place to live within your budget. We’ve picked some of the top places to call home in Palm Beach County to kick off your exploration.

About Palm Beach County

As Florida’s second-largest county by land size, Palm Beach County is larger than Rhode Island and Delaware! It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean on the east all the way to Lake Okeechobee and Everglades National Park on the west.

Since it is so vast, Palm Beach County’s towns are incredibly diverse in what they offer. There is an equestrian town world famous for its training facilities and trails. The PGA is headquartered in Palm Beach County, so you know some amazing golfing options exist. And then there are the beaches along the 47 miles of shoreline with beautiful jewel-toned waters and calming surf.

We can’t hit all the towns, but here are a few top places to live in Palm Beach County, running roughly from the south to north.

Highland Beach

Picked as the best place to live by Niche.com, this beach town is in southeastern Palm Beach. You may have never heard of Highland Beach because it’s pretty commonly overlooked for the more well-known destinations surrounding it, but for those who value a quiet and relaxing beach town experience, Highland Beach is the place.

It’s pretty small, covering only 1.1 square miles, and sandwiched between Delray Beach and Boca Raton. Main Street is State Road A1A, famous for linking the east coast beach towns and its scenic oceanfront drive. Even though it’s small, Highland Beach still has some amenities, like a library, water service, and police department.

One thing to be aware of is the sea turtle nesting season from May 1st through October 31st. This is a popular place for endangered and threatened turtles to lay their eggs. Highland Beach takes its nesting area very seriously.

Highland Beach is very much a retirement town, with a year-round population of around 4,000 residents, swelling to over 8,000 in the winter months. The housing here includes luxury homes and high-end condos on both sides of the A1A. The median list price in May 2023 was $1.1 M, with 104 homes on the market.

Boca Raton

 The people of Boca Raton have a reputation among Floridians for Botox and Lamborghinis, organic cuisine, and showboating– in other words, the Beverly Hills of Florida. The stereotype is about affluence, where wealthy Bocanites live in gated communities, are on a first-name basis with their local plastic surgeon, relax on private yachts, and see shopping as exercise.

But while Boca is definitely affluent, don’t always believe the stereotypes. Living here has many perks. Besides those five miles of white-sand beaches, Boca has a Museum of Art, extensive shopping at Mizner Park, and two upscale golf courses. The food scene is delicious, mixing vegan joints next to craft ice cream. The Festival of the Arts BOCA is as renowned for its cuisine as it is for the art show. Florida Atlantic University attracts a younger crowd. Its location in the Palm Beaches region is perfect, too, being under an hour from Fort Lauderdale or Miami.

As a city, Boca has distinct sections. The historic district oozes Spanish-Mediterranean charm. The shoreline mixes in luxury condos. Central and West Boca have more gated and private communities. May 2023 had 2,038 homes for sale at a median of $614,900.

Delray Beach

Delray Beach and its two miles of family-friendly beaches have won awards like “Most Fun Small Town in the USA” and “America’s Happiest Seaside Town.” Locally, the Village-by-the-Sea is well-known as a pristine beach lined with historic mansions and vacation condos.

But it wasn’t always that way. Delray Beach used to be the backwaters of Palm Beach County. Revitalization turned it into an upscale beach town with a thriving downtown district. The Pineapple Grove Arts District is the cultural center for Delray Beach. The highly walkable town is packed with art galleries and cultural events like First Friday Art Walks. Live music and events are hosted at the Old School Square. The shops and restaurants along Atlantic Avenue always feel busy, even out of season.

A free shuttle runs through downtown, and the Tri-Rail commuter train connects to South Florida cities. I-95 makes it easy to travel beyond to West Palm Beach or ritzy Boca Raton.

Housing options here are broad, as you have beachfront condos, Intracoastal mansions, and inland master-planned neighborhoods. Delray Beach had 1,513 homes for sale in May 2023 at a median of $368,000.

Boynton Beach

Another revitalized seaside town, Boynton is thriving as Palm Beach’s third-largest city, with over 80,000 residents. It covers a wide area ranging from the Intracoastal waterway to the more inland sections of Florida. Residents are close to the prime beaches available in Ocean Ridge, Briny Breezes, and Gulf Stream.

Offshore awaits coral and artificial reefs for you to explore. Inland, paddleboard the Intracoastal from Jaycee Park and look for manatees during the winter months. Play golf at Hunter’s Run Country Club or hit up the shops at Boynton Beach Mall. The downtown area has an amphitheater for city events, restaurants, and boutique retail.

Residents have 29 city parks, a city beach, and nine recreation centers with activities for all ages. One popular event is the Haunted Pirate Fest and Mermaid Splash, happening each October.

Boynton Beach had 1,509 homes for sale in May 2023 at a median of $390,000.

Ocean Ridge

Oceanfront Park has been called one of Florida’s most beautiful beaches, and it’s in charming Ocean Ridge. When you picture luxurious Florida oceanfront living, chances are that image will look close to the reality of Ocean Ridge. What residents prize is its seclusion. Most people don’t know where it is, but that’s what residents like. It feels low-density, low-profile, and upscale all at once.

Ocean Ridge is small, but it packs a lot in. Watch the boaters and jet skiers heading in and out of Ocean Inlet jetty at the park, or cast a line off from its pier. The local natural area has a two-story observation tower and a walking trail. The local beach park has tables, grills, restrooms, and lifeguards on duty during working hours. Stroll Ocean Avenue and its canopy-covered walkways to Oceanfront Park. If you want more options, Boynton Beach is across the Intracoastal.

Between its natural area and country parks are palatial mansions and homes of all styles. Ocean Ridge had 56 homes for sale at a median of $1.6 M in May 2023.

Wellington

Wellington also lacks beaches, but that doesn’t matter. This is an equestrian center with 57 miles designated for horseback riding. Thousands come for the Winter Equestrian Festival and International Horse Show each year. Residents enjoy the in-season matches at the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club, where locals dress to the nines with the latest hats and fashion.

But Wellington is more than a horse-driven community. Many trails are available for walking, bicycling, and skating. The master plan incorporated green spaces and park systems, like Scott’s Place Playground and the local dog park. Play golf at one of four courses, or bring the kids to the local conservation center to see exotic animals. The development included room for quality schools and for lakes that people boat on.

The winding roads of the residential section give Wellington a laid-back feel. Wellington homes range in style. Some are incredibly lavish, with Aero Club homes including private airplane hangars. Others have land to stable your horses or back up to the trail system. Live in custom-built homes along the championship golf courses or try another bedroom community development. It had 427 homes for sale in May 2023 at a median price of $857,800.

Palm Beach

While some may think of Boca Raton as the ritzy part of Palm Beach, locals know the truth. The real wealth is in Palm Beach, an island town long prized for its exclusivity. It was built in the 19th century to be a winter resort for the wealthy, and the city continues to be a retreat for billionaires and the ultra-wealthy.

Worth Ave is the destination for high-end shopping and fine dining. There is some public beach access, but the beaches here aren’t as crowded and touristy as other locations.

Of course, you will find gated mansions, luxurious oceanfront high-rise condos, and private beaches across Palm Beach. May 2023 had a median list price of $2.8 M with 360 homes for sale.

West Palm Beach

Travel + Leisure has called West Palm Beach one of Florida’s top places to live. Much of that concerns location–about an hour from Miami–and the small-town vibe with a solid job market.

West Palm Beach does have a beach and waterfront, from Lake Worth on the west to the Intracoastal Waterway on the east. Drive over the bridge, and you’re in Palm Beach and its sandy shores.

It feels quiet, but there are things to do here. The city has four entertainment districts, with Clematis Street Entertainment District probably the most well-known thanks to its colorful stores and nightclubs. Still, Northwood Village and Antique Row have their own charms and special events. And for a shopping deal, try Tanger Outlets. For cultural attractions, visit the Norton Sculpture Gardens and Museum of Art, or walk the charming El Cid neighborhood.

Families have the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society, where you can see an endangered Florida panther and wildlife presentations. The hands-on Cox Science Center and Aquarium have over 100 exhibits and an award-winning miniature golf course.

West Palm Beach had 2,069 homes for sale at a median of $422,500 in May 2023.

Royal Palm Beach

Another Tree City USA, what Royal Palm Beach lacks in beaches, it makes up for with an incredible amount of green space and public parks for a town of its size. In fact, it committed to set aside ten acres of parkland per 1000 residents. As an inland community, it can do it.

Royal Palm Beach is between Wellington and West Palm Beach. You can be in Miami in about 90 minutes, thanks to Florida’s Turnpike.

Besides its commitment to green space, Royal Palm Beach is home to some excellent schools often rated an “A” in Florida’s evaluation system. It also has a massive sports complex at Commons Park. The splash pad is great for the kids in the summer. Calypso Bay Waterpark promises family fun on those steamy Florida days when going to the beach is too far.

Development began in the 1960s, but it really took off in the 1980s, so you’ll find many homes with that particular styling. It had 226 homes listed at a median of $480,000 in May 2023.

Palm Beach Gardens

The Garden City was developed from strawberry fields to be a beautiful master-planned community spread across 4,000 acres. The developer envisioned a place where people could realize the American dream, owning a slice of paradise amongst Florida’s rolling terrain, mature pine trees, and waterways.

Modern Palm Beach Gardens remains a beautiful destination that sets a high bar for blending nature with modern amenities. The beloved banyan trees are part of the town’s character and identity. It has been a Tree City USA recipient for 35 years.

Besides the beautiful landscaping throughout Palm Beach Gardens, this is the hometown of the Professional Golfers Association of America. The PGA National Resort has five championship courses designed by some of the sport’s leading names in golf architecture. The Honda Classic is played here each winter.

When you’re not on one of the courses, visit the high-end department stores at the Gardens Mall or browse the boutiques downtown at the Gardens.

The only thing missing in Palm Beach Gardens are the beaches, but MacArthur Beach State Park and Ocean Reef Park are a short drive. May 2023 had 791 homes for sale at a median of $820,000.

Jupiter

Palm Beach County’s northernmost town has been rated one of the nation’s best beach towns. It’s just proof that you don’t have to leave this world to have an excellent standard of living.

Jupiter is a coastal city, but it’s not all beaches. It’s also packed with golf courses, excellent shopping, and master-planned developments built for walkability around town centers. One example is Abacoa, which has dining, shopping, and entertainment built into the residential community.

If you want waterfront living, Jupiter has an incredible selection. It’s the oceanfront, the Loxahatchee River, and the Intracoastal Waterway. The result is a green and lush environment everywhere you turn.

When you opt to live in Jupiter, you can choose from active adult communities, golf course living, or waterfront mansions. There are also inland homes that reflect traditional Florida living. Jupiter had 705 homes for sale at a median of $825,000 in May 2023.

Find Your Palm Beach County, Florida

Live here full-time or part-time, you’ll enjoy Palm Beach County. If one of these cities didn’t sound appealing to you, Palm Beach County has 39 municipalities. We’ve barely scratched the surface of your choices! A local real estate agent can help you find the one with your desired lifestyle.