Moving to Hobe Sound: A Relocation Guide to Homes, Costs and Everyday Life

Moving to Hobe Sound takes you just north of the Palm Beach County line into southern Martin County, where the pace is slower and nature preserves surround the town. Hobe Sound is not a city. It is an unincorporated community, so Martin County provides most local services. The 2020 Census counted 13,163 residents, up from 11,521 in the 2010 Census, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This guide helps you plan the move: what homes cost, how county taxes and insurance work, which schools serve the area, how long the drives are, and what to finish in your first month.

Key takeaways

• According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, the Hobe Sound area had 223 active residential listings with a median list price of $549,250.
• Active listings had been on the market an average of 142 days, so buyers often have time to negotiate.
• Hobe Sound is in Martin County, not Palm Beach County. Taxes, schools, permits and many services follow Martin County rules.
• The Martin County Tax Collector has a Hobe Sound office that issues driver licenses and handles vehicle registration.
• New residents have 10 days to register a car and 30 days to get a Florida license.

Moving to Hobe Sound: the basics

Hobe Sound lies along the coast south of Stuart, with Jonathan Dickinson State Park to the south and West Palm Beach farther south. US 1 runs through the community, and I-95 is a short drive west. There is no interstate inside the community itself.

Jupiter Island is a separate town across the water to the east. Many large estates people associate with the name actually sit there. By contrast, the mainland side has a wider range of homes and prices, so most buyers focus there.

The area also has an unusual past. Over the years the area has also been known as Olympia and Picture City, and the Hobe Sound Historical Society works to preserve that history.

Why Martin County matters for your move

Crossing the county line changes more than your address. Your property taxes go to Martin County and its districts. Your children attend Martin County schools. Building permits, code rules and road projects run through the county as well. So when you compare Hobe Sound with Jupiter or Tequesta, compare the county systems too, not just the homes.

Home prices in Hobe Sound

According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, the median list price of active residential listings in Hobe Sound was $549,250. The median asking price per square foot was $303, and active listings averaged 142 days on the market. That is longer than in most Palm Beach County cities we track.

The local sample is small, with 223 active listings, so a few large homes can shift the median. For sale prices, look at the county. In August 2026, Martin County single-family homes sold for a median of $656,900, up 12.8% from a year earlier, according to Miami Realtors. They took a median of 56 days to go under contract. Condos and townhouses sold for a median of $277,500 and took 84 days.

Rentals are limited. As of October 1, 2026, there were 85 active rentals with a median asking rent of $2,550. Our Hobe Sound area page tracks current listings.

Types of homes you will see

• Older single-family homes on mainland streets, some on larger lots.
• Gated golf and club communities, each with its own fees and rules.
• Villas and a small number of condos.
• Estate homes on Jupiter Island, at the top of the market.

Club communities can require membership, offer it as an option or limit it by invitation. Fees change often, so ask the club for current costs before you make an offer.

Insurance and flood checks when moving to Hobe Sound

Insurance is a major cost along the Treasure Coast, just as it is farther south. Florida Realtors reported in September 2026 that the average homeowners premium in Florida's admitted market was $3,736, including wind. It also reported that state regulators had approved rate cuts for several insurers.

Older mainland homes can cost more to insure if the roof, windows or wiring are dated. Therefore, ask for a four-point inspection and a wind mitigation report early. Then look up the flood zone on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, especially for homes near the Indian River Lagoon.

Property taxes in Martin County

Florida has no state personal income tax, according to the Department of Revenue. Property taxes are the main local tax you will see. For 2025, the Martin County Property Appraiser lists total rates for unincorporated districts of roughly 15.75 to 15.96 mills. In other words, about $15.75 to $15.96 per $1,000 of taxable value, before non-ad valorem fees.

If you make the home your permanent residence, own and live in it on January 1, and file for homestead by March 1. The exemption can cut taxable value by up to $50,000. After that, increases in assessed value are capped each year at 3% or the change in CPI, whichever is lower.

Schools for families moving to Hobe Sound

Public schools belong to the Martin County School District, which posts attendance boundary maps for elementary, middle and high schools. However, zones can change, so confirm the assignment for each address with the district before you sign a contract.

Families moving from Palm Beach County should note that school choice rules and calendars differ by district. So check enrollment steps and deadlines with Martin County directly.

Commute and getting around

Most residents drive. US 1 carries local traffic, and I-95 is a short drive west. From there, Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens are a normal suburban drive, and West Palm Beach is farther south. Rush hour near Jupiter can slow things down, so test your route at commute time.

For flights, Palm Beach International in West Palm Beach is the closest major airport. Meanwhile, rail service in Martin County is limited compared with southern Palm Beach County, so plan around a car.

Parks and the outdoors

Open space is a big reason people choose this area. Jonathan Dickinson State Park sits just south of town, along the Loxahatchee River. On the coast, the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge protects a long stretch of undeveloped beach and is a major sea turtle nesting area. As a result, weekends here lean toward paddling, hiking, fishing and the beach rather than nightlife.

Your first 30 days after moving to Hobe Sound

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, you become a Florida resident when you start a job here, enroll children in public school, register to vote or file for homestead. Then the clock starts.

1. Buy Florida auto insurance, then title and register your vehicle within 10 days.
2. Get your Florida driver license within 30 days. The Martin County Tax Collector handles both, and it has a Hobe Sound office.
3. Register to vote in Martin County.
4. Set up power, water and internet. Also ask the seller whether the home uses a septic tank or a private well.
5. Enroll children after you confirm your zoned schools.
6. File for homestead by March 1 if you bought.

Timing your move

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. If you can, close and move outside the peak months, or at least plan for storm delays. Insurers may also pause new policies when a storm is close, so bind coverage well before closing. On the other hand, winter moves compete with seasonal residents for movers, rentals and contractors. Book early either way.

What newcomers wish they knew

• Inventory is thin, so the right home can take months to appear.
• Jupiter Island and mainland Hobe Sound are different markets and different governments.
• Shopping and nightlife mean a drive to Jupiter, Tequesta or Stuart.
• Club fees vary widely, so get them in writing early.
• Storm prep matters. Plan for shutters, a generator and an evacuation route.

Planning your search before moving to Hobe Sound

Start with a full monthly budget that includes taxes, insurance and any club or HOA fees. Next, get pre-approved and set listing alerts, since good homes can be scarce. If you are torn between this area and its neighbor to the south, read our comparison of Hobe Sound and Jupiter. Renting for a season first is also a good way to test the quiet pace.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hobe Sound in Palm Beach County?

No. Hobe Sound is in Martin County, just north of the Palm Beach County line. It is unincorporated, so the county provides most services.

What does a home cost when moving to Hobe Sound?

As of October 1, 2026, the median list price of active listings was $549,250. Prices range from older mainland homes to estates on Jupiter Island.

Where do I get a Florida driver license in Hobe Sound?

The Martin County Tax Collector issues licenses and has a Hobe Sound office. You need the license within 30 days of becoming a resident.

Which high school serves Hobe Sound?

Assignments depend on the exact address. Look up the home on the Martin County School District's high school attendance boundary map, and confirm the zone with the district before you sign.

Sources

• Pure Equity, Hobe Sound market data (as of October 1, 2026)
• Miami Realtors, Martin County August 2026 report
• Martin County Property Appraiser, 2025 millage codes
• Martin County Tax Collector, general information
• Florida HSMV, new resident requirements
• Florida Department of Revenue, tax information for new residents
• Florida Department of Revenue, property tax exemptions
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
• Florida Realtors, home insurance rate cuts (September 2026)
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Hobe Sound CDP (2020 Census)
• Hobe Sound Historical Society
• Martin County School District, attendance boundaries

Own a home in Hobe Sound or selling before your move? With few listings in the area, pricing well matters. Get a free home valuation. Relocating here? Request a free relocation consultation for Hobe Sound, and we will help you compare neighborhoods, clubs and commute times. Contact our team.