Moving from St. Louis, MO to Fort Lauderdale, FL
It is 1191 mi between St. Louis and Fort Lauderdale β roughly 21h 50m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1191 mi Β· 21h 50m by car Β· MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, GA 540 |
| Major cities en route | Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Sandy Springs, Atlanta |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 95.088 in St. Louis to 114.155 in Fort Lauderdale, putting overall prices 20.1% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 60Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 64.3" |
Expect 18.9Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Fort Lauderdale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.27 |
Fort Lauderdale households earn about 20.1% more than St. Louis at the median β $55,279 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 Missouri 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see 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 (18.9Β°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 household income compare in St. Louis vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 44.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 1191 mi and the route typically takes 21h 50m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis 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 1191 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 20.1% higher than St. Louis (114.155 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,325,480 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Fort Lauderdale, FL.