Moving from Springfield, IL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
It is 1241 mi between Springfield and Fort Lauderdale β roughly 23h 5m 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.
1241 mi Β· 23h 5m by car Β· FL β GA β TN β KY β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β TN β KY β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, I 57 |
| 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
| Springfield | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Fort Lauderdale is 23.1% more expensive than Springfield on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $163,198 in Springfield to $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale, a 23.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 60Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 64.3" |
Annual average temperature jumps 24.0Β°F β 52.9Β°F in Springfield vs 76.9Β°F in Fort Lauderdale, per NOAA 1991β2020 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: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.27 |
Fort Lauderdale households earn about 23.1% more than Springfield at the median β $65,537 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 Illinois 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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 (24.0Β°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
When is the best time to move from Springfield 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 1241 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 Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 1241 mi and the route typically takes 23h 5m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 23.1% higher than Springfield (114.155 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 211.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 22.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Fort Lauderdale, FL.