Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Houston, TX
Relocating 1162 mi from Fort Lauderdale to Houston is a 21h 14m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1162 mi · 21h 14m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.6% cheaper overall in Houston than Fort Lauderdale on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.6% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 60°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 54.1" |
Expect 6.3°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.51 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.6% — $79,935 → $62,894 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 — 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Houston average 93°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: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
How far is Houston, TX from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 1162 mi and the route typically takes 21h 14m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale — a 21.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1162 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Fort Lauderdale and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale (6.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 64.3 in.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale — a 48.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Houston more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 13.6% lower than Fort Lauderdale (98.629 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 · Houston, TX.