Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Irving, TX
The drive from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Irving, TX runs 1295 mi — about 23h 54m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1295 mi · 23h 54m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Denton, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Irving | 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 |
Irving is 9.7% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Irving is 9.7% below Fort Lauderdale — $508,474 vs $341,503 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 60°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 37.0" |
Climate cools by 10.3°F on the annual average — 76.9°F → 66.6°F.
Irving averages 1.6 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.71 |
Median household incomes in Fort Lauderdale ($79,935) and Irving ($79,641) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving 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 — 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Irving average 96°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 (10.3°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
What is the climate difference between Fort Lauderdale and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale (10.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 64.3 in.
Is Irving more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving 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 the job market in Irving compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving 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 Irving compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale — a 32.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale — a 0.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1295 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Irving, TX from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 1295 mi and the route typically takes 23h 54m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL · Irving, TX.