Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Fort Worth, TX
It is 1315 mi between Fort Lauderdale and Fort Worth β roughly 24h 15m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1315 mi Β· 24h 15m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Lewisville, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.7% cheaper overall in Fort Worth than Fort Lauderdale on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 60Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | β |
Annual temperature drops 9.4Β°F moving to Fort Worth per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.82 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Worth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 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 Worth average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Fort Worth more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth is 9.7% lower than Fort Lauderdale (103.09 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 1315 mi and the route typically takes 24h 15m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale β a 41.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Fort Worth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1315 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fort Worth compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale β a 4.2% lower 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 Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL Β· Fort Worth, TX.