Moving from Clearwater, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
It is a 268 mi drive, roughly 5h 6m, between Clearwater, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
268 mi Β· 5h 6m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, US 19, I 275 |
| Major cities en route | Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Hollywood, Miami, Hialeah |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 13.1% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.1% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $339,488 to $508,474 moving to Fort Lauderdale.
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 60Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 64.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Clearwater (73.9Β°F) and Fort Lauderdale (76.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fort Lauderdale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.27 |
Fort Lauderdale households earn about 13.1% more than Clearwater at the median β $64,440 β $79,935 on ACS 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.
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.
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.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 268 mi and the route typically takes 5h 6m via I 75 and US 19. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 13.1% higher than Clearwater (114.155 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 49.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Clearwater 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 268 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 24.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· Fort Lauderdale, FL.