Moving from St. Paul, MN to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Cross-country relocations like St. Paul, MN β Fort Lauderdale, FL cover 1730 mi and about 31h 52m of driving through 7 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.
1730 mi Β· 31h 52m by car Β· MN β WI β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, GA 540 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Madison, Rockford, Clarksville, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 104.822 in St. Paul to 114.155 in Fort Lauderdale, a 8.9% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 60Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 64.3" |
Major climate step-up: 30.4Β°F warmer annual average in Fort Lauderdale vs St. Paul.
Effectively snow-free year in Fort Lauderdale β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.27 |
Income steps up 8.9%: $73,055 in St. Paul vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale.
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 Minnesota 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-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- 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 (30.4Β°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 St. Paul 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 1730 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. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 8.9% higher than St. Paul (114.155 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 9.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 1730 mi and the route typically takes 31h 52m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN Β· Fort Lauderdale, FL.