Moving from Phoenix, AZ to Orlando, FL
It is 2159 mi and 37h 51m from Phoenix to Orlando β a cross-country move across 7 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.
2159 mi Β· 37h 51m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | 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 | Glendale, Scottsdale, Peoria, Surprise, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Phoenix | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 103.316 vs 101.418 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 1.8% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Phoenix -2.7%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Phoenix | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 50Β°F |
| July avg high | 104Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.9" | 51.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Phoenix (72.5Β°F) and Orlando (73.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Orlando 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: PHOENIX DEER VALLEY MUNI AP, AZ US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Phoenix | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $77,041 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.7 | 2.46 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.8% lower in Orlando than Phoenix.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona 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
- 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 Orlando 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: Orlando averages 51.5 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.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to Phoenix?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $410,169 in Phoenix β a 8.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Orlando, FL from Phoenix, AZ?
The driving distance is 2159 mi and the route typically takes 37h 51m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Phoenix vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $77,041 in Phoenix β a 10.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Orlando more expensive than Phoenix?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 1.8% lower than Phoenix (101.418 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Orlando compare to Phoenix?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $48,600 in the Phoenix MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Phoenix to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2159 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Phoenix.
City profiles: Phoenix, AZ Β· Orlando, FL.