Moving from Plano, TX to Fort Lauderdale, FL
It is 1295 mi between Plano and Fort Lauderdale β roughly 23h 53m 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.
1295 mi Β· 23h 53m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Mckinney, Denton, Lewisville, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Plano | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Fort Lauderdale runs about 10.7% more expensive overall than Plano β RPP 103.09 β 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Fort Lauderdale ($508,474) sits close to Plano ($498,989) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Plano -5.3%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Plano | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 60Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 64.3" |
Annual temperature rises 11.1Β°F moving to Fort Lauderdale per NOAA 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 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Plano | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $108,649 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 39.3 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.27 |
Fort Lauderdale households earn about 10.7% less than Plano at the median β $108,649 β $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 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fort Lauderdale average 91Β°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 β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.1Β°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 much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Plano?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $498,989 in Plano β a 1.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Plano?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $48,440 in the Plano MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Plano vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $108,649 in Plano β a 26.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Plano to Fort Lauderdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1295 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Plano, TX?
The driving distance is 1295 mi and the route typically takes 23h 53m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than Plano?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 10.7% higher than Plano (114.155 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Plano.
City profiles: Plano, TX Β· Fort Lauderdale, FL.