Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Denton, TX
It is 1319 mi between Fort Lauderdale and Denton β roughly 24h 18m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1319 mi Β· 24h 18m 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 | Denton | 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 Denton 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%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 60Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 38.4" |
Annual temperature drops 11.5Β°F moving to Denton per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.72 |
Households in Denton earn about 9.7% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton 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 Denton average 96Β°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 (11.5Β°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
How far is Denton, TX from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 1319 mi and the route typically takes 24h 18m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Denton more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton 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.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale β a 7.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Denton compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton 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.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1319 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale β a 30.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Denton, TX.