Moving from Miami Gardens, FL to Orlando, FL
Relocating between Miami Gardens, FL and Orlando, FL is a 218 mi drive β 4h 11m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
218 mi Β· 4h 11m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, FL 528 TOLL, CR 15 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Port St Lucie, West Palm Beach, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Miami Gardens | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.2% moving from Miami Gardens to Orlando β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $469,434 in Miami Gardens to $374,136 in Orlando, a 11.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Miami Gardens -2.9%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Miami Gardens | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 50Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 68.3" | 51.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 76.0Β°F vs 73.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Orlando sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami Gardens | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,264 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $60,979 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.6% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.46 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 11.2% higher in Orlando than Miami Gardens.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Orlando average 92Β°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: Orlando averages 51.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Miami Gardens vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens β a 13.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to Miami Gardens?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $469,434 in Miami Gardens β a 20.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Orlando compare to Miami Gardens?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Orlando more expensive than Miami Gardens?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 11.2% lower than Miami Gardens (101.418 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Orlando, FL from Miami Gardens, FL?
The driving distance is 218 mi and the route typically takes 4h 11m via I 95 and FL 528 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Miami Gardens to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 218 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Miami Gardens.
City profiles: Miami Gardens, FL Β· Orlando, FL.