Moving from San Mateo, CA to Pembroke Pines, FL
Cross-country relocations like San Mateo, CA β Pembroke Pines, FL cover 3016 mi and about 54h 12m of driving through 8 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.
3016 mi Β· 54h 12m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Hollywood, Miramar, Miami Gardens |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Pembroke Pines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Pembroke Pines and San Mateo are close on the overall BEA RPP (115.613 vs 114.155); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Pembroke Pines typical home at $487,422 is 1.3% under San Mateo at $1,686,905 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Pembroke Pines -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Pembroke Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 62.0" |
NOAA normals show Pembroke Pines running 18.6Β°F above San Mateo on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, HOLLYWOOD NORTH PERRY AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Pembroke Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 170,557 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $81,675 |
| Median age | 38 | 43.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 23.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.67 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.3% between San Mateo and Pembroke Pines (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pembroke Pines 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 California 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Pembroke Pines 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: Pembroke Pines averages 62.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.6Β°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 does the job market in Pembroke Pines compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Pembroke Pines MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Pembroke Pines?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 3016 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Pembroke Pines, FL from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 3016 mi and the route typically takes 54h 12m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Pembroke Pines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,675 in Pembroke Pines vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 46.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pembroke Pines more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pembroke Pines is 1.3% lower than San Mateo (114.155 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Pembroke Pines compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $487,422 in Pembroke Pines vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 71.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Pembroke Pines, FL.