Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to McKinney, TX
Relocating 1306 mi from Fort Lauderdale to McKinney is a 24h 4m 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.
1306 mi Β· 24h 4m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Denton, Plano, Allen, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | McKinney | 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 |
Expect about 9.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has McKinney at 103.09 vs Fort Lauderdale at 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 9.7% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 60Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | β |
Expect 12.0Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.86 |
Expect median household income to rise 9.7% β $79,935 β $120,273 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McKinney 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 McKinney 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 (12.0Β°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 much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale β a 5.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale β a 50.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney 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 McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1306 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is McKinney more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney 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 far is McKinney, TX from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 1306 mi and the route typically takes 24h 4m 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 Β· McKinney, TX.