Moving from Kent, WA to Miami Gardens, FL
Cross-country relocations like Kent, WA β Miami Gardens, FL cover 3309 mi and about 58h 38m of driving through 12 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
3309 mi Β· 58h 38m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | Miami Gardens | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Miami Gardens and Kent is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Miami Gardens is 2.7% below Kent β $656,314 vs $469,434 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 68.3" |
Miami Gardens runs 22.2Β°F warmer on the annual average (53.8Β°F vs 76.0Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 111,264 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $60,979 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 11.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 3.22 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.7% between Kent and Miami Gardens (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami Gardens 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 Washington 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 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami Gardens averages 68.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (22.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β 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
How does the job market in Miami Gardens compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Miami Gardens?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $90,416 in Kent β a 32.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Miami Gardens more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 2.7% higher than Kent (114.155 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Miami Gardens, FL from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 3309 mi and the route typically takes 58h 38m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Miami Gardens?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 3309 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $656,314 in Kent β a 28.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Miami Gardens, FL.