Moving from Laredo, TX to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Cross-country relocations like Laredo, TX → Fort Lauderdale, FL cover 1506 mi and about 27h 12m of driving through 5 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.
1506 mi · 27h 12m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 130, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Laredo | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 86.956 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.614 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 59.746 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 31.3% higher overall in Fort Lauderdale vs Laredo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Fort Lauderdale: 31.3% above Laredo on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Laredo +2.5%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Laredo | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 77°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 60°F |
| July avg high | 100°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.7" | 64.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Fort Lauderdale — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAREDO 2, TX US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Laredo | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $63,264 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 29.7 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.36 | 2.27 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 31.3% between Laredo and Fort Lauderdale (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.
- 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 Laredo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 31.3% higher than Laredo (114.155 vs 86.956, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Laredo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $220,331 in Laredo — a 130.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Laredo, TX?
The driving distance is 1506 mi and the route typically takes 27h 12m via I 10 and TX 130. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Laredo 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 1506 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Laredo and Fort Lauderdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale vs 75.0°F in Laredo (1.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 64.3 in vs 19.7 in.
How does household income compare in Laredo vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $63,264 in Laredo — a 26.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Laredo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $35,220 in the Laredo MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 104,610 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 Laredo.
City profiles: Laredo, TX · Fort Lauderdale, FL.