Moving from McKinney, TX to Fort Lauderdale, FL
It is 1306 mi between McKinney and Fort Lauderdale β roughly 24h 4m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1306 mi Β· 24h 4m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Denton, Plano, Allen, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 10.7% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.7% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 60Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 64.3" |
Annual temperature rises 12.0Β°F moving to Fort Lauderdale per NOAA normals.
Fort Lauderdale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.27 |
Fort Lauderdale households earn about 10.7% less than McKinney at the median β $120,273 β $79,935 on ACS 2023.
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 Texas 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.
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 far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 1306 mi and the route typically takes 24h 4m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than McKinney?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 10.7% higher than McKinney (114.155 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in McKinney vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 33.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 5.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from McKinney 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 1306 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 McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 3,966,500 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 McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· Fort Lauderdale, FL.