Moving from Savannah, GA to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Relocating between Savannah, GA and Fort Lauderdale, FL is a 451 mi drive — 8h 27m 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.
451 mi · 8h 27m by car · FL → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 295, SR 845 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Fort Lauderdale runs about 19.9% more expensive overall than Savannah — RPP 95.206 → 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $326,509 in Savannah to $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale, a 19.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Savannah | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 77°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 60°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 64.3" |
Expect 9.4°F warmer year-round on the 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: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.27 |
Expect median household income to rise 19.9% — $56,782 → $79,935 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Georgia 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 Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 19.9% higher than Savannah (114.155 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Savannah and Fort Lauderdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale vs 67.5°F in Savannah (9.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 64.3 in vs 48.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Savannah 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 451 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 451 mi and the route typically takes 8h 27m via I 95 and I 295. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $56,782 in Savannah — a 40.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $326,509 in Savannah — a 55.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA · Fort Lauderdale, FL.