Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL covers 319 mi and about 5h 59m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
319 mi · 5h 59m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, SR 845, FL 13 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Palm Bay, Port St Lucie, West Palm Beach, Coral Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 99.484 in Jacksonville to 114.155 in Fort Lauderdale, a 14.7% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Fort Lauderdale: 14.7% above Jacksonville on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jacksonville | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 77°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 60°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 64.3" |
Fort Lauderdale runs 5.5°F warmer on the annual average (71.4°F vs 76.9°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Fort Lauderdale — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.27 |
Median household income in Fort Lauderdale is 14.7% above Jacksonville ($66,981 → $79,935, ACS 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.
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.
- 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
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 319 mi and the route typically takes 5h 59m via I 95 and SR 845. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $282,895 in Jacksonville — a 79.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 14.7% higher than Jacksonville (114.155 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale vs 71.4°F in Jacksonville (5.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 64.3 in vs 47.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville 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 319 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $66,981 in Jacksonville — a 19.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL · Fort Lauderdale, FL.