Moving from Killeen, TX to Fort Lauderdale, FL
It is 1343 mi between Killeen and Fort Lauderdale — roughly 24h 42m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1343 mi · 24h 42m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Killeen | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.132 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.242 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.884 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 91.132 in Killeen to 114.155 in Fort Lauderdale, putting overall prices 25.3% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 25.3% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $219,957 to $508,474 moving to Fort Lauderdale.
YoY change: Killeen -1.3%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Killeen | 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 | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.8" | 64.3" |
Annual temperature rises 10.3°F moving to Fort Lauderdale per NOAA normals.
Fort Lauderdale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KILLEEN, TX US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Killeen | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 30 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.27 |
Fort Lauderdale households earn about 25.3% more than Killeen at the median — $58,339 → $79,935 on 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.
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
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than Killeen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 25.3% higher than Killeen (114.155 vs 91.132, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Killeen, TX?
The driving distance is 1343 mi and the route typically takes 24h 42m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Killeen 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 1343 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Killeen and Fort Lauderdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale vs 66.6°F in Killeen (10.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 64.3 in vs 34.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Killeen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $219,957 in Killeen — a 131.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Killeen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $42,230 in the Killeen MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 147,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Killeen vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $58,339 in Killeen — a 37.0% 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 Killeen.
City profiles: Killeen, TX · Fort Lauderdale, FL.