Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Jersey City, NJ
It is 1250 mi between Fort Lauderdale and Jersey City — roughly 23h 32m 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.
1250 mi · 23h 32m by car · NJ → DE → MD → DC → VA → NC → SC → GA → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → DE → MD → DC → VA → NC → SC → GA → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 295, NJTP |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Paterson, Newark, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Jersey City | 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 Jersey City 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
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale to $658,269 in Jersey City, a 1.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 60°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 50.4" |
Annual average temperature drops 22.1°F — 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale vs 54.8°F in Jersey City, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Jersey City sees 28.2 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, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.35 |
Households in Jersey City earn about 1.4% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jersey City 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can 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 — Jersey City averages 28.2 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jersey City averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (22.1°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
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale — a 18.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Jersey City compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City 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 Jersey City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Jersey City vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale (22.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 64.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Jersey City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1250 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Jersey City, NJ from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 1250 mi and the route typically takes 23h 32m via I 95 and I 295. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Jersey City more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City 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.
How much do homes cost in Jersey City compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale — a 29.5% 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 · Jersey City, NJ.