Moving from College Station, TX to Miami Gardens, FL

The drive from College Station, TX to Miami Gardens, FL runs 1248 mi β€” about 22h 47m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.

1248 mi Β· 22h 47m by car Β· TX β†’ LA β†’ MS β†’ AL β†’ FL

COL +25.5% Home values +34.5% Ξ” +6.6Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
1248 mi
Drive time
22h 47m
States
5
Fuel (25 mpg)
50 gal
Route throughTX β†’ LA β†’ MS β†’ AL β†’ FL
Primary highwaysI 10, US 90, US 69
Major cities en routeHouston, Beaumont, New Orleans, Mobile, Tallahassee

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

College StationMiami GardensU.S. avg
All items (RPP)90.951114.155100.0
Rents84.3997.235100.0
Goods93.757103.556100.0
Services75.088155.551100.0

Overall price level in Miami Gardens runs 25.5% higher than College Station β€” a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (90.951 β†’ 114.155, 2024).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

College Station β€” typical home
$349,041
Miami Gardens β€” typical home
$469,434
College Station β€” typical rent
$1,696/mo
Miami Gardens β€” typical rent
$2,806/mo

Typical home value in Miami Gardens is 25.5% above College Station β€” $349,041 vs $469,434 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.

YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsCollege StationMiami Gardens
Annual avg temperature69Β°F76Β°F
January avg low41Β°F59Β°F
July avg high95Β°F90Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”β€”
Annual precipitation41.8"68.3"

Climate warms by 6.6Β°F on the annual average β€” 69.4Β°F β†’ 76.0Β°F.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023College StationMiami Gardens
Population122,280111,264
Median household income$51,776$60,979
Median age22.938.1
Bachelor's degree or higher29.5%11.6%
Avg household size2.743.22

Income steps up 25.5%: $51,776 in College Station vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

College Station MSA β€” median wage
$42,710
Miami Gardens MSA β€” median wage
$46,510
College Station MSA β€” employment
128,840
Miami Gardens MSA β€” employment
2,721,490

Top occupations in Miami Gardens MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 Texas and Florida

Texas income tax
no state income tax
Florida income tax
no state income tax

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 20–30% 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.
  • Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

How much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to College Station?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $349,041 in College Station β€” a 34.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

Is Miami Gardens more expensive than College Station?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 25.5% higher than College Station (114.155 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How far is Miami Gardens, FL from College Station, TX?

The driving distance is 1248 mi and the route typically takes 22h 47m via I 10 and US 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does household income compare in College Station vs Miami Gardens?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $51,776 in College Station β€” a 17.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How does the job market in Miami Gardens compare to College Station?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

When is the best time to move from College Station to Miami Gardens?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1248 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 College Station.

City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Miami Gardens, FL.

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