Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Carrollton, TX
Relocating 1297 mi from Fort Lauderdale to Carrollton is a 23h 55m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1297 mi Β· 23h 55m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 10 |
| 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
| Fort Lauderdale | Carrollton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.7% cheaper overall in Carrollton than Fort Lauderdale on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Carrollton -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 60Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 41.9" |
Expect 11.1Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 132,741 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $99,115 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 9.7% β $79,935 β $99,115 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Carrollton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Carrollton average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Carrollton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1297 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Carrollton, TX from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 1297 mi and the route typically takes 23h 55m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Carrollton compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Carrollton MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Carrollton compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $406,040 in Carrollton vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale β a 20.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Carrollton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $99,115 in Carrollton vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale β a 24.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Carrollton more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Carrollton is 9.7% lower than Fort Lauderdale (103.09 vs 114.155, 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 Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL Β· Carrollton, TX.