Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Jacksonville, FL
The 319 mi from Fort Lauderdale to Jacksonville translate to about 5h 59m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
319 mi · 5h 59m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, SR 845, FL 13 |
| Major cities en route | Orlando, Palm Bay, Port St Lucie, West Palm Beach, Coral Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Jacksonville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 99.484 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 87.514 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 109.777 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 114.155 to 99.484, putting Jacksonville roughly 12.9% below Fort Lauderdale on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Jacksonville: 12.9% below Fort Lauderdale on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Jacksonville -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 60°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 47.6" |
Climate cools by 5.5°F on the annual average — 76.9°F → 71.4°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Jacksonville — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 961,739 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $66,981 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.5 |
Income steps down 12.9%: $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $66,981 in Jacksonville.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jacksonville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 106,430 | $41,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 78,750 | $37,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 72,870 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,150 | $29,270 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,370 | $74,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 Jacksonville average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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.
Frequently asked
Is Jacksonville more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jacksonville is 12.9% lower than Fort Lauderdale (99.484 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Jacksonville, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 319 mi and the route typically takes 5h 59m via I 95 and SR 845. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Jacksonville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,981 in Jacksonville vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale — a 16.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Jacksonville compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 740,520 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 Jacksonville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.4°F in Jacksonville vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale (5.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.6 in vs 64.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Jacksonville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 319 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Jacksonville compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $282,895 in Jacksonville vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale — a 44.4% lower 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 · Jacksonville, FL.