West Palm Beach at a glance
Fair-market rents by ZIP (HUD FY2026)
HUD's Small Area Fair Market Rents set a government benchmark for rents by ZIP and bedroom count. They're a useful floor for underwriting, though actual market rents vary by condition and building. (For a calibrated, property-specific estimate from real closed leases, that's what ReSharpe does inside the app.)
| ZIP | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33401 | $1,800 | $1,910 | $2,270 | $2,940 | $3,410 |
| 33403 | $1,440 | $1,540 | $1,820 | $2,360 | $2,740 |
| 33405 | $1,440 | $1,530 | $1,810 | $2,350 | $2,720 |
| 33407 | $1,720 | $1,830 | $2,170 | $2,810 | $3,260 |
| 33409 | $1,810 | $1,920 | $2,280 | $2,950 | $3,430 |
| 33411 | $1,870 | $1,990 | $2,360 | $3,060 | $3,550 |
| 33415 | $1,690 | $1,800 | $2,130 | $2,760 | $3,200 |
| 33417 | $1,830 | $1,950 | $2,310 | $2,990 | $3,470 |
Home-price appreciation (FHFA)
The FHFA House Price Index for the West Palm Beach–Boca Raton–Delray Beach, FL (FHFA metro division) shows how Palm Beach County prices have moved — including through the cycle, which is the part most “appreciation” claims skip:
- +71.6%5-year (11.4%/yr)
- +142.4%10-year (9.3%/yr)
- +89.5%20-year (3.2%/yr)
For context, the same index fell about 49.4% from its 2006 peak to its post-crisis trough around 2012, and now sits roughly 87.2% above that prior peak. Prices here are cyclical — underwrite on current cash flow, not on a straight line.
Investing in West Palm Beach: what to know
Everything from downtown high-rise condos and historic single-family to large suburban HOA communities out west — the widest stock range in the county.
Downtown supports higher rents and appreciation bets; the western ZIPs are workforce-rental territory with friendlier entry prices and yields.
Downtown high-rises mean condo-document risk; western communities mean HOA rules and newer construction. The right ZIP changes the whole thesis here.
None of the above uses MLS listing data — it's government benchmarks plus general market knowledge. To analyze actual West Palm Beach listings with calibrated rent, valuation and condo-document review, that happens inside ReSharpe (for licensed agents), with the approach explained on the methodology page.
Data sources: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026 (2026-06-11) · HUD User · FHFA All-Transactions House Price Index via FRED (St. Louis Fed) (2026-06-11) · FHFA HPI.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average rent in West Palm Beach, FL?
- By HUD's FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rents, a 2-bedroom in West Palm Beach runs about $1,810–$2,360 per month depending on ZIP code (median around $2,220). HUD fair-market rents are a government benchmark, not live MLS lease data.
- Is West Palm Beach a good place to invest in rental property?
- Downtown supports higher rents and appreciation bets; the western ZIPs are workforce-rental territory with friendlier entry prices and yields. Home prices across the Palm Beach County metro have risen about 142.4% over the last 10 years per the FHFA index, so underwriting on real, current rents and expenses matters more than chasing past appreciation.
- How much have West Palm Beach home values appreciated?
- For the West Palm Beach–Boca Raton–Delray Beach, FL (FHFA metro division), the FHFA House Price Index is up roughly 71.6% over 5 years, 142.4% over 10 years and 89.5% over 20 years — and it fell about 49.4% from its 2006 peak to its post-crisis trough, a reminder that prices are cyclical.
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