Moving from Miami Gardens, FL to Plano, TX
The drive from Miami Gardens, FL to Plano, TX runs 1310 mi β about 24h 5m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1310 mi Β· 24h 5m 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, Mckinney, Denton, Lewisville, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Miami Gardens | Plano | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Plano is 9.7% cheaper than Miami Gardens overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Plano is 9.7% above Miami Gardens ($498,989 vs $469,434 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Miami Gardens -2.9%, Plano -5.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Miami Gardens | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 68.3" | 41.9" |
Climate cools by 10.2Β°F on the annual average β 76.0Β°F β 65.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami Gardens | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,264 | 287,339 |
| Median household income | $60,979 | $108,649 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 39.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.6% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 9.7% between Miami Gardens and Plano (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Plano MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Plano average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.2Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Miami Gardens to Plano?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1310 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Plano more expensive than Miami Gardens?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Plano is 9.7% lower than Miami Gardens (103.09 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Miami Gardens vs Plano?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,649 in Plano vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens β a 78.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Plano compare to Miami Gardens?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Plano MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Plano, TX from Miami Gardens, FL?
The driving distance is 1310 mi and the route typically takes 24h 5m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Plano compared to Miami Gardens?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $498,989 in Plano vs $469,434 in Miami Gardens β a 6.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Miami Gardens.
City profiles: Miami Gardens, FL Β· Plano, TX.