Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Orlando, FL
Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Orlando, FL covers 204 mi and about 3h 58m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
204 mi · 3h 58m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, FL 528 TOLL, SR 845 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Port St Lucie, West Palm Beach, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Orlando are 11.2% below Fort Lauderdale — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Orlando typical home at $374,136 is 11.2% under Fort Lauderdale at $508,474 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 60°F | 50°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 51.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 76.9°F vs 73.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Orlando sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Orlando is 11.2% below Fort Lauderdale ($79,935 → $69,268, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
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 Orlando average 92°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: Orlando averages 51.5 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale — a 26.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 204 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 Orlando?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.0°F in Orlando vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale (3.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 51.5 in vs 64.3 in.
How far is Orlando, FL from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 204 mi and the route typically takes 3h 58m via I 95 and FL 528 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Orlando compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Orlando more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 11.2% lower than Fort Lauderdale (101.418 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fort Lauderdale vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale — a 13.3% 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 · Orlando, FL.