Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Miami, FL
The drive from Fort Lauderdale to Miami covers 29 mi in about 39 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
29 mi · 39 min by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, SR 838, SR 845 |
| Major cities en route | Hialeah, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Miami Gardens, Hollywood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Miami | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Fort Lauderdale (114.155) and Miami (114.155) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Miami at $579,564 is 0.0% above Fort Lauderdale at $508,474.
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Miami -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77°F | 76°F |
| January avg low | 60°F | 61°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 57.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Miami — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, MIAMI BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 446,663 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $59,390 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 39.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.35 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.0% between Fort Lauderdale and Miami (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami 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.
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
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami averages 57.2 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Miami?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 29 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Fort Lauderdale and Miami?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 76.1°F in Miami vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale (0.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 57.2 in vs 64.3 in.
How much do homes cost in Miami compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $579,564 in Miami vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale — a 14.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Miami, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 29 mi and the route typically takes 39 min via I 95 and SR 838. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Miami?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,390 in Miami vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale — a 25.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Miami compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL · Miami, FL.