Moving from Tampa, FL to Miami Gardens, FL
Relocating between Tampa, FL and Miami Gardens, FL is a 269 mi drive β 4h 59m 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.
269 mi Β· 4h 59m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 595, FL 618 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Clearwater, Lakeland, St Petersburg, Cape Coral, Pembroke Pines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | Miami Gardens | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Miami Gardens runs about 13.1% more expensive overall than Tampa β RPP 100.89 β 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $374,888 in Tampa to $469,434 in Miami Gardens, a 13.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tampa | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 68.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 74.5Β°F vs 76.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 111,264 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $60,979 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 11.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 3.22 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 13.1% lower in Miami Gardens than Tampa.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami Gardens 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.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami Gardens averages 68.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $374,888 in Tampa β a 25.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Miami Gardens more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 13.1% higher than Tampa (114.155 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tampa to Miami Gardens?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 269 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Miami Gardens, FL from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 269 mi and the route typically takes 4h 59m via I 75 and I 595. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs Miami Gardens?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $71,302 in Tampa β a 14.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Miami Gardens compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,412,840 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 Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL Β· Miami Gardens, FL.