Moving from Irving, TX to Fort Lauderdale, FL
A move from Irving, TX to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 1295 mi and around 23h 54m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
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
| Irving | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.7% pricier overall in Fort Lauderdale than Irving on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fort Lauderdale typical home at $508,474 is 10.7% above Irving at $341,503 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Irving -2.6%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irving | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 77°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 60°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.6" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.0" | 64.3" |
Fort Lauderdale runs 10.3°F warmer on the annual average (66.6°F vs 76.9°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fort Lauderdale sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irving | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $79,641 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.8% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.27 |
Household income lines up — $79,641 vs $79,935 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Lauderdale 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.
Moving between Texas and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 Fort Lauderdale average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Fort Lauderdale averages 64.3 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Irving and Fort Lauderdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale vs 66.6°F in Irving (10.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.6 in. Annual precipitation: 64.3 in vs 37.0 in.
How does household income compare in Irving vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $79,641 in Irving — a 0.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than Irving?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 10.7% higher than Irving (114.155 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Irving?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $341,503 in Irving — a 48.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Irving?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $48,440 in the Irving MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Irving to Fort Lauderdale?
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 Fort Lauderdale, FL from Irving, TX?
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 Irving.
City profiles: Irving, TX · Fort Lauderdale, FL.