Moving from Miami, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
The drive from Miami to Fort Lauderdale covers 29 mi in about 39 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
29 mi · 39 min by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, SR 838, SR 845 |
| Major cities en route | Hialeah, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Miami Gardens, Hollywood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Miami | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Fort Lauderdale and Miami are close on the overall BEA RPP (114.155 vs 114.155); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 0.0% lower in Fort Lauderdale than Miami as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Miami -2.0%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Miami | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 77°F |
| January avg low | 61°F | 60°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 57.2" | 64.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 76.1°F vs 76.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
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: MIAMI BEACH, FL US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $59,390 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.27 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.0% between Miami 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.
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
When is the best time to move from Miami 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 29 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Miami vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $59,390 in Miami — a 34.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Miami?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Miami and Fort Lauderdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale vs 76.1°F in Miami (0.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 64.3 in vs 57.2 in.
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Miami?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $579,564 in Miami — a 12.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Miami, FL?
The driving distance is 29 mi and the route typically takes 39 min via I 95 and SR 838. The trip crosses 1 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 Miami.
City profiles: Miami, FL · Fort Lauderdale, FL.