Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Glendale, AZ
Cross-country relocations like Fort Lauderdale, FL → Glendale, AZ cover 2343 mi and about 41h 7m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2343 mi · 41h 7m by car · AZ → NM → TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Peoria, Surprise, Scottsdale, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Glendale is 9.5% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Glendale is 9.5% below Fort Lauderdale ($407,332 vs $508,474 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Glendale -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 60°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 8.3" |
Climate cools by 5.0°F on the annual average — 76.9°F → 71.9°F.
Glendale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, YOUNGTOWN, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 250,193 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $70,139 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 15.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.88 |
Income steps down 9.5%: $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $70,139 in Glendale.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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-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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Glendale average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Glendale sees only 8.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Glendale MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 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 Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,139 in Glendale vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale — a 12.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fort Lauderdale and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.9°F in Glendale vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale (5.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.3 in vs 64.3 in.
How far is Glendale, AZ from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 2343 mi and the route typically takes 41h 7m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,332 in Glendale vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale — a 19.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2343 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Glendale more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 9.5% lower than Fort Lauderdale (103.316 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL · Glendale, AZ.