Moving from Davie, FL to San Diego, CA

Moving from Davie, FL to San Diego, CA is a 2636 mi cross-country relocation β€” about 46h 12m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.

2636 mi Β· 46h 12m by car Β· CA β†’ AZ β†’ NM β†’ TX β†’ LA β†’ MS β†’ AL β†’ FL

COL -2.0% Home values +94.4% Ξ” -11.8Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
2636 mi
Drive time
46h 12m
States
8
Fuel (25 mpg)
105 gal
Route throughCA β†’ AZ β†’ NM β†’ TX β†’ LA β†’ MS β†’ AL β†’ FL
Primary highwaysI 10, I 8, US 180
Major cities en routeOceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, El Cajon

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

Cost of living

DavieSan DiegoU.S. avg
All items (RPP)114.155111.887100.0
Rents97.235174.247100.0
Goods103.556107.963100.0
Services155.551179.267100.0

San Diego and Davie are close on the overall BEA RPP (114.155 vs 111.887); rent and services often drive the real difference.

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

Housing prices

Davie β€” typical home
$515,020
San Diego β€” typical home
$1,001,265
Davie β€” typical rent
$2,387/mo
San Diego β€” typical rent
$2,911/mo

Housing gap is large: San Diego typical home at $1,001,265 is 2.0% above Davie at $515,020 (Zillow, 2026-03).

YoY change: Davie -4.6%, San Diego -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsDavieSan Diego
Annual avg temperature76Β°F64Β°F
January avg low58Β°F46Β°F
July avg high90Β°F80Β°F
Annual snowfall0.0"β€”
Annual precipitation68.8"11.0"

San Diego is 11.8Β°F cooler on the annual average (75.9Β°F vs 64.1Β°F, NOAA 1991–2020).

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE, FL US, SAN DIEGO MONTGOMERY FLD, CA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023DavieSan Diego
Population106,4121,385,061
Median household income$87,171$104,321
Median age37.236
Bachelor's degree or higher24.5%28.8%
Avg household size2.772.65

Median household income in San Diego is 2.0% above Davie ($87,171 β†’ $104,321, ACS 2023).

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

Jobs & wages

Davie MSA β€” median wage
$46,510
San Diego MSA β€” median wage
$53,090
Davie MSA β€” employment
2,721,490
San Diego MSA β€” employment
1,522,620

Top occupations in San Diego MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 166,920 $48,270
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 155,650 $35,470
Sales and Related Occupations 123,300 $38,790
Management Occupations 114,190 $134,250
Business and Financial Operations Occupations 112,110 $83,560

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between Florida and California

Florida income tax
no state income tax
California income tax
13.3% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.

Winter driving along this route

  • Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
  • I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
  • 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

  • Dry climate: San Diego sees only 11.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
  • You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.8Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
  • Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β€” register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

How much do homes cost in San Diego compared to Davie?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,001,265 in San Diego vs $515,020 in Davie β€” a 94.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How far is San Diego, CA from Davie, FL?

The driving distance is 2636 mi and the route typically takes 46h 12m via I 10 and I 8. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does the job market in San Diego compare to Davie?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,090 in the San Diego MSA vs $46,510 in the Davie MSA, on total employment of 1,522,620 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

Is San Diego more expensive than Davie?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Diego is 2.0% lower than Davie (111.887 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

When is the best time to move from Davie to San Diego?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2636 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How does household income compare in Davie vs San Diego?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,321 in San Diego vs $87,171 in Davie β€” a 19.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Davie.

City profiles: Davie, FL Β· San Diego, CA.

Related routes