Moving from Long Beach, CA to Fort Lauderdale, FL
It is 2707 mi and 47h 38m from Long Beach to Fort Lauderdale β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2707 mi Β· 47h 38m 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 | Los Angeles, Glendale, Torrance, Pasadena, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Long Beach | Fort Lauderdale | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.5% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Long Beach +0.5%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Long Beach | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 60Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 64.3" |
Expect 12.0Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Fort Lauderdale β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Long Beach | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $83,969 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.27 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale average 91Β°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: Fort Lauderdale averages 64.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.0Β°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 Fort Lauderdale compared to Long Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $857,861 in Long Beach β a 40.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 2707 mi and the route typically takes 47h 38m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than Long Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 0.5% higher than Long Beach (114.155 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Long Beach vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $83,969 in Long Beach β a 4.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Long Beach to Fort Lauderdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2707 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 Fort Lauderdale compare to Long Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $50,490 in the Long Beach 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 Long Beach.
City profiles: Long Beach, CA Β· Fort Lauderdale, FL.