Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Fort Lauderdale, FL
It is 1240 mi between Elizabeth and Fort Lauderdale — roughly 23h 19m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 9 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1240 mi · 23h 19m by car · FL → GA → SC → NC → VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → SC → NC → VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, NJTP, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Elizabeth and Fort Lauderdale sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Fort Lauderdale ($508,474) sits close to Elizabeth ($534,667) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 77°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 60°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 64.3" |
Annual average temperature jumps 21.4°F — 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale, per NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.27 |
Fort Lauderdale households earn about 1.4% more than Elizabeth at the median — $63,874 → $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.
Moving between New Jersey 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap 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 91°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 — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (21.4°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — 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 much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 4.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Fort Lauderdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (21.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 64.3 in vs 46.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Fort Lauderdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1240 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 1240 mi and the route typically takes 23h 19m via I 95 and NJTP. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 25.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 1.4% higher than Elizabeth (114.155 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Fort Lauderdale, FL.