Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Elizabeth, NJ
It is 1240 mi between Fort Lauderdale and Elizabeth — roughly 23h 19m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 9 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1240 mi · 23h 19m by car · FL → GA → SC → NC → VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → SC → NC → VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, NJTP, I 295 |
| 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
| Fort Lauderdale | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Fort Lauderdale and Elizabeth sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Elizabeth run about 1.4% pricier — ZHVI $508,474 → $534,667 (2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 60°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 46.6" |
Annual average temperature drops 21.4°F — 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elizabeth sees 31.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.96 |
Elizabeth households earn about 1.4% less than Fort Lauderdale at the median — $79,935 → $63,874 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (21.4°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 1.4% lower than Fort Lauderdale (112.563 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1240 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Fort Lauderdale and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale (21.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 64.3 in.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale — a 20.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 1240 mi and the route typically takes 23h 19m via I 95 and NJTP. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale — a 5.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL · Elizabeth, NJ.