Moving from Orlando, FL to Miami Gardens, FL
Relocating between Orlando, FL and Miami Gardens, FL is a 218 mi drive β 4h 11m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
218 mi Β· 4h 11m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, FL 528 TOLL, CR 15 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Port St Lucie, West Palm Beach, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orlando | Miami Gardens | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.418 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.196 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.374 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Miami Gardens runs about 12.6% more expensive overall than Orlando β RPP 101.418 β 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $374,136 in Orlando to $469,434 in Miami Gardens, a 12.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Orlando -3.5%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Orlando | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 50Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.5" | 68.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 73.0Β°F vs 76.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orlando | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,732 | 111,264 |
| Median household income | $69,268 | $60,979 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 11.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 3.22 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 12.6% lower in Miami Gardens than Orlando.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami Gardens 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.
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
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami Gardens averages 68.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Orlando to Miami Gardens?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 218 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Miami Gardens more expensive than Orlando?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 12.6% higher than Orlando (114.155 vs 101.418, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Miami Gardens, FL from Orlando, FL?
The driving distance is 218 mi and the route typically takes 4h 11m via I 95 and FL 528 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to Orlando?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $374,136 in Orlando β a 25.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Miami Gardens compare to Orlando?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $43,120 in the Orlando MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,366,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Orlando vs Miami Gardens?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $69,268 in Orlando β a 12.0% 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 Orlando.
City profiles: Orlando, FL Β· Miami Gardens, FL.