Moving from Aurora, CO to Fort Lauderdale, FL
A 2021 mi cross-country move between Aurora and Fort Lauderdale is 36h 22m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2021 mi Β· 36h 22m by car Β· CO β KS β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β KS β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 75, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Fort Lauderdale runs about 7.9% more expensive overall than Aurora β RPP 105.782 β 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Fort Lauderdale run about 7.9% pricier β ZHVI $463,081 β $508,474 (2026-03).
YoY change: Aurora -4.3%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 60Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 64.3" |
Annual average temperature jumps 26.1Β°F β 50.8Β°F in Aurora vs 76.9Β°F in Fort Lauderdale, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fort Lauderdale sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $84,320 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.73 | 2.27 |
Households in Fort Lauderdale earn about 7.9% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Lauderdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fort Lauderdale average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Fort Lauderdale averages 64.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (26.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance is 2021 mi and the route typically takes 36h 22m via I 70 and I 75. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $84,320 in Aurora β a 5.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Fort Lauderdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2021 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 7.9% higher than Aurora (114.155 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $58,490 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $463,081 in Aurora β a 9.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, CO Β· Fort Lauderdale, FL.