Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Pembroke Pines, FL
Cross-country relocations like Garden Grove, CA β Pembroke Pines, FL cover 2715 mi and about 47h 43m of driving through 8 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.
2715 mi Β· 47h 43m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Torrance, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | Pembroke Pines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Pembroke Pines and Garden Grove is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Pembroke Pines is 0.5% below Garden Grove β $1,013,183 vs $487,422 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Pembroke Pines -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garden Grove | Pembroke Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 62.0" |
Climate warms by 11.2Β°F on the annual average β 66.1Β°F β 77.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, HOLLYWOOD NORTH PERRY AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Pembroke Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 170,557 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $81,675 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 43.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 23.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.67 |
Income steps down 0.5%: $90,166 in Garden Grove vs $81,675 in Pembroke Pines.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pembroke Pines MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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 Pembroke Pines average 92Β°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: Pembroke Pines averages 62.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β 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.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Pembroke Pines compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $487,422 in Pembroke Pines vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove β a 51.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Pembroke Pines, FL from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 2715 mi and the route typically takes 47h 43m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Pembroke Pines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,675 in Pembroke Pines vs $90,166 in Garden Grove β a 9.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pembroke Pines more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pembroke Pines is 0.5% higher than Garden Grove (114.155 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove to Pembroke Pines?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2715 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Pembroke Pines compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Pembroke Pines MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA Β· Pembroke Pines, FL.