Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Relocating from West Palm Beach, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL? The drive is 48 mi β about 1h 6m. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
48 mi Β· 1h 6m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, SR 845, SR 809 |
| 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
| West Palm Beach | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $399,471 in West Palm Beach to $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale, a 0.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 60Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 64.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 75.8Β°F vs 76.9Β°F 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: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.27 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% higher in Fort Lauderdale than West Palm Beach.
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.
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
- 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.
- 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 far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 48 mi and the route typically takes 1h 6m via I 95 and SR 845. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 15.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 27.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach 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 48 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Fort Lauderdale, FL.