Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Fort Lauderdale, FL
A 2008 mi cross-country move between Colorado Springs and Fort Lauderdale is 36h 45m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2008 mi · 36h 45m by car · CO → NM → TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NM → TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Pueblo, Amarillo, Denton, Irving, Frisco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Colorado Springs | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.707 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.195 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 116.207 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Fort Lauderdale runs about 13.4% more expensive overall than Colorado Springs — RPP 100.707 → 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Fort Lauderdale run about 13.4% pricier — ZHVI $449,452 → $508,474 (2026-03).
YoY change: Colorado Springs -2.2%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Colorado Springs | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 77°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 60°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 64.3" |
Annual average temperature jumps 26.4°F — 50.5°F in Colorado Springs vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale, per NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Colorado Springs | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $83,198 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.27 |
Household income lines up — $83,198 vs $79,935 on ACS 5-year 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 Colorado 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 — 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 91°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 — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (26.4°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — 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 Colorado Springs to Fort Lauderdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2008 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Colorado Springs and Fort Lauderdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale vs 50.5°F in Colorado Springs (26.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 32.5 in. Annual precipitation: 64.3 in vs 15.9 in.
How does household income compare in Colorado Springs vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $83,198 in Colorado Springs — a 3.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Colorado Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $449,452 in Colorado Springs — a 13.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than Colorado Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 13.4% higher than Colorado Springs (114.155 vs 100.707, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance is 2008 mi and the route typically takes 36h 45m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Colorado Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 310,390 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 Colorado Springs.
City profiles: Colorado Springs, CO · Fort Lauderdale, FL.